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SUPER RUGBY PREVIEW 2018: In the third instalment of our 15-part build-up to the season we start with the South African Conference and look at the Sharks.
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It must the most undesirable moniker: The most successful team never to have won Super Rugby.
There is another sobriquet that fits the bill: ‘Always a bridesmaid, never a bride.’
The Sharks has been runners-up five times, losing semifinalists four times and reached the preliminary play-offs (or quarterfinals) on another two occasions.
That is why the big question every year is: ‘Will the Sharks get the monkey off their collective backs?’
Like all teams, at the start of the season, the Sharks have ambitions to go all the way.
There was some clear-sighted recruitment in the off-season – most notably in the coaching department.
Robert du Preez (senior) not only lured his son (Robert junior) back ‘home’ – to shore up the flyhalf stocks – but the arrival of former Springbok centre and Bok assistant coach Dick Muir, as well former Bok flyhalf Braam van Straaten, will give the Sharks some interesting options.
Du Preez, senior, said their success in 2018 will hinge on using the squad “effectively”.
Muir, in particular, can improve the Sharks’ attack – after defence was the cornerstone of their march to the Super Rugby play-offs and Currie Cup Final last year.
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“It’s great to have people like that here, with great experience,” Du Preez senior said of the additions to his coaching staff.
“Dick’s presence here was much-needed, he adds balance.”
That balance – between attack and defence – may just be the catalyst that will see the Sharks shed the bridesmaid’s tag.
As they showed in both Super Rugby and the Currie Cup in 2017, they have a pack of forwards capable of mixing it with the best.
Their backline skills, decision-making and tactics are what cost them at crucial stages in their campaigns.
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Now they may have the X-factor that could turn them into a championship team.
Will it happen in 2018? Only time will tell.
2018 Predictions
South African Conference Placing: Second
Player of the Year: Philip van der Walt
Rookie of the Year: Sibusiso Nkosi
Super Rugby Placing: Sixth
History
Best finish: Runners-up in 1994, 1996, 2001, 2007, 2012
Worst finish: Twelfth in 2000 and 2005
Squad Movements
In: Robert du Preez (Stormers), Ross Geldenhuys (Kings), Gideon Koegelenberg (Zebre), Makazole Mapimpi (Cheetahs), Tyler Paul (Kings), Louis Schreuder (Kings), Armand van der Merwe (Lions), Cameron Wright (Montpellier), Leolin Zas (Stormers).
Out: Lourens Adriaanse (Pau), Stephan Coetzee (Kings), Jean Deysel (Ulster), Rowan Gouws (Kings), Francois Kleynhans (Pumas), Pat Lambie (Racing 92), Khaya Majola (Kings), Odwa Ndungane (retired), Etienne Oosthuizen (Lyon), Cobus Reinach (Northampton Saints), Sibusiso Sithole (Kings), Hanco Venter (released), Clément Poitrenaud (retired), Coenie Oosthuizen (injured), Inny-Christian Radebe (released).
Sharks squad:
Forwards: Armand van der Merwe, Coenraad Oosthuizen, Mahlatse Ralepelle, Daniel du Preez, Franco Marais, Gideon Koegelenberg, Hyron Andrews, Jacques Vermeulen, Jean Droste, Jean-Luc du Preez, John-Hubert Meyer, Juan Schoeman, Keegan Daniel, Kerron van Vuuren, Khuta Mchunu, Lubabalo Mtembu, Mzamo Majola, Philip van der Walt, Ross Geldenhuys, Ruan Botha (captain), Stephan Lewies, Tendai Mtawarira, Thomas du Toit, Tyler Paul, Wian Vosloo.
Backs: Andre Esterhuizen, Cameron Wright, Courtney Winnaar, Curwin Bosch, Garth April, Grant Williams, Jeremy Ward, Johan Deysel, Jacobus van Wyk, Leolin Zas, Louis Schreuder, Lukhanyo Am, Lwazi Mvovo, Makazole Mapimpi, Marius Louw, Michael Claassens, Rhyno Smith, Robert du Preez, Sibusiso Nkosi, Tristan Blewett.
By Jan de Koning
@king365ed
@rugby365com
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments