Saturday represents a huge moment in South African rugby as the Stormers and Sharks try to overcome the odds to reach the Super Rugby semi-finals against the Chiefs and the Hurricanes respectively.
The Stormers have the marginally easier assignment‚ given that they are at Newlands‚ while the Sharks have travelled to the southern tip of the north island to face the tournament pacesetters.
Neither SA side is expected to win‚ given the results and the form of the two New Zealand teams‚ but in a knockout there is always hope.
The Sharks are first up at the Wespac Stadium on Saturday and while nothing appears to favour Gary Gold’s side‚ they have happy memories of beating the Hurricanes 32-15 in Durban in May.
The Hurricanes have scored 61 tries this season‚ the Sharks 40.
The ‘Canes have only conceded 37 and the Sharks 30 — there is not much in it defensively.
It’s hard to find a reason why the Sharks could win and with game-breakers such as flyhalf Beauden Barrett and wing Julian Savea on the bench‚ the Hurricanes seem to hold all the aces.
But the return of fullback Willie le Roux and centre Paul Jordaan from injury is a boost for the Sharks and if the weather is foul‚ the visitors’ kicking game could give them an even chance.
In Cape Town conditions will be greasy after heavy rains‚ although it’s not expected to be raining during the match.
The Stormers’ pack with locks Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit in the vanguard will need to gain ascendancy and then it will be down to how well inexperienced flyhalf Rob du Preez can manage the game.
It will be fascinating to see if Etzebeth and Du Toit‚ the leading lineout poachers in the tournament‚ can upset the All Black duo of Dominic Bird and Brodie Retallick in the set-piece.
It will also be critical that Stormers looseforwards Sikhumbuzo Notshe and Schalk Burger neutralise Chiefs openside Sam Cane.
The Chiefs have a master tactician in flyhalf Aaron Cruden with All Black scrumhalf TJ Perenara also adept at controlling a match with the boot.
A third string in their bow is the inclusion of veteran Stephen Donald at inside centre to add even more kicking options to their armoury.
Fullback Damian McKenzie is also a kicking option‚ but his greatest strength lies in slithering through cracks in the defence — usually after errant kicks.
Buttoning the slippery McKenzie up is another non-negotiable for the Stormers
Both matches will be fascinating tactical and physical battles. The odds are in favour of the New Zealand teams‚ but the South Africans won’t go down easily.
— TMG Digital
Can the Sharks and the Stormers upset the Super Rugby odds?
Saturday represents a huge moment in South African rugby as the Stormers and Sharks try to overcome the odds to reach the Super Rugby semi-finals against the Chiefs and the Hurricanes respectively.
The Stormers have the marginally easier assignment‚ given that they are at Newlands‚ while the Sharks have travelled to the southern tip of the north island to face the tournament pacesetters.
Neither SA side is expected to win‚ given the results and the form of the two New Zealand teams‚ but in a knockout there is always hope.
The Sharks are first up at the Wespac Stadium on Saturday and while nothing appears to favour Gary Gold’s side‚ they have happy memories of beating the Hurricanes 32-15 in Durban in May.
The Hurricanes have scored 61 tries this season‚ the Sharks 40.
The ‘Canes have only conceded 37 and the Sharks 30 — there is not much in it defensively.
It’s hard to find a reason why the Sharks could win and with game-breakers such as flyhalf Beauden Barrett and wing Julian Savea on the bench‚ the Hurricanes seem to hold all the aces.
But the return of fullback Willie le Roux and centre Paul Jordaan from injury is a boost for the Sharks and if the weather is foul‚ the visitors’ kicking game could give them an even chance.
In Cape Town conditions will be greasy after heavy rains‚ although it’s not expected to be raining during the match.
The Stormers’ pack with locks Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit in the vanguard will need to gain ascendancy and then it will be down to how well inexperienced flyhalf Rob du Preez can manage the game.
It will be fascinating to see if Etzebeth and Du Toit‚ the leading lineout poachers in the tournament‚ can upset the All Black duo of Dominic Bird and Brodie Retallick in the set-piece.
It will also be critical that Stormers looseforwards Sikhumbuzo Notshe and Schalk Burger neutralise Chiefs openside Sam Cane.
The Chiefs have a master tactician in flyhalf Aaron Cruden with All Black scrumhalf TJ Perenara also adept at controlling a match with the boot.
A third string in their bow is the inclusion of veteran Stephen Donald at inside centre to add even more kicking options to their armoury.
Fullback Damian McKenzie is also a kicking option‚ but his greatest strength lies in slithering through cracks in the defence — usually after errant kicks.
Buttoning the slippery McKenzie up is another non-negotiable for the Stormers
Both matches will be fascinating tactical and physical battles. The odds are in favour of the New Zealand teams‚ but the South Africans won’t go down easily.
— TMG Digital
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