19 October 2011
The Sharks will be hosting the Cheetahs this coming weekend in their Currie Cup semi-final. The final round game of the season decide who would host this game between the two teams
The Cheetahs have been performing well this season but will look back at one game and know they could have been playing at home. A couple of weeks ago they were leading the Lions with about 10 minutes to go. After a yellow card they ended up drawing the game. And that have cost them vital home ground advantage.
The Cheetahs have been performing well this season but will look back at one game and know they could have been playing at home. A couple of weeks ago they were leading the Lions with about 10 minutes to go. After a yellow card they ended up drawing the game. And that have cost them vital home ground advantage.
They will be well advised to look at how they play when in the lead. The past weekend they gave away 19 points in the last 15 minutes to end the game 49-39 vs the Griquas. If they stand any chance to beat the Sharks they can't let them back in the game if they have the lead. They have the players to win this one but their attitude when leading a game is worrying. This can well be attributed to inexperience as they are a very young side.
The Sharks have shown against the Lions why they are so dangerous. Given they played a weakened Lions team they were clinical in the way they played the game. The experience of players like Stefan Tereblanche and Marius Joubert showed and made a huge difference. The fact that they could call on Springbok replacements from the bench further helped them.
The only draw back in the team is that they tend to be impatient at times and this can be costly against the Cheetahs. The other factor that might hamper them is their age. True Tereblanche has a lot of experience as does Joubert but they are starting to lack speed. And I know it is not easy running with crutches when the younger guys look like they have jets attached to their boots.
This will be a clinical game that will be decided through heart and stamina. I believe the Sharks has the heart but the stamina and fitness might tell later on in the game.
The Sharks should take it by 15-20. But that is just my view.
