Ex Koe
Who will win the SA conference?
Total Votes: 627 Started: February 9, 2013
You have to laugh at the kings above the Cheetahs!!! Sharkies riding high in fans opinions but is that realistic?
So a poll about the Stormers being the best supported is considered " gospel" by you. But a Poll that supports Sharks in some way or another is questionable.
Should we take anything you say as credible or unbiased Beeno1 ?
I reckon that man for man the Sharks are the best side in SA. The Stormers, especially with Etzebeth out for the first part of the tournament, are not looking so solid. Bulls are the dark horses, nobody really expects them to do anything too special, but they have made some very good signings with youngsters in the off season, and they are looking a lot more balanced and settled than they did last year. But ja, my money would be on the Sharkies...unfortunately.
Who said it was "gospel" - only you goodman. As for the sharks it is a reasonable question. Are they the worthy favourites. You tell me as I posed the question.
All these above votes are based on hope.
Even Keo's distorted view of reality - understands that the Sharks are strong favourites
If i read your question in proper english i would say i have answered your question. Nowhere in the above posting by yourself is there a question that asks if they are worthy favourites made by you. I see a question asking who will win the SA conference, if you require an answer to that i would say prehaps the Bulls or the Sharks. But i try not do guess work. I will leave that to the dreamers.
Goodman
I say they are going to top the overall log as well.
With all the injuries the Stormers had last year they still ended up on top. I mean thay had a Canadian Starting games. :P
I think the race for tops in the SA conference will be really tight. Would also love to see the cheetahs progress as well off a good year last year. I'll guess:
Stormers
Sharks
Bulls
Cheetahs
Kings
Going to be too close to call IMO.
Sharks lineup appears to have the most carryover from last year. Think their centers and locks are questionable, but willing to be proven otherwise, especially where it comes to F Steyn who was not up to his standards last year.
Don't expect the Stormers strategy to change at all but will still be effective enough to win majority of their games. Unfortuanetly don't see Schalk making it through the year. His type of injury, length of recovery, numerous setbacks do not bode well. Fourie will have a bigger impact than he will.
Oimatey, the Sharks centres are a strength. Steyn, Jordaan, Bosman, JP (if needed), Whitehead (only out for 6 to 8 weeks) so should be available in the 4th or 5th round. Our problem lies at hooker. Burden's throwing is crap and Cooper is a good player but relatively untested. We need him to go well for us this year in the absence of Bismarck. There is no replacing Bismarck. He is a world class front rower and he can double as a 4th loose forward with all the ball he steals. Bismarck is the biggest loss to any team in the Super rugby this year, even though the Hurricanes have lost Cory Jane for the year.
It all depends on injuries and depth. Last year the Stormers were hit hard and they faded badly. This year though, I have a feeling the SA conference will look like this (based on relatively few injuries)
Sharks
Bulls
Stormers
Cheetahs
Soweto secondary school
Kings
LOL
Go Soweto secondary!!!
If Etzebeth were fit, I'd go with the Stormers. A dominant lock, perhaps the dominant player in SA rugby after he splattered Bismarck, counts for a lot in the psychology of all this.
BL,
Steyn - based on 2012 form, is slightly above average. Like I said, I hope for a lot more
Jordaan - has yet to show consistent performances (and always seems to pick up niggly injuries)
Bosman - solid, but plays like an old man
JP - needs to stay on the wing, but also a good outside center - agreed
Whitehead - better off as a mustache modeler. Run of the mill talent
Agree on the loss of Bismarck, and Shark lineouts may suffer but in all other aspects the loosies and front row will pull through.
You may well be right about the Bulls - a lot depends on Hougaard's service
sharks always do have a good showing in the conference and with the loss of eben i think he stormers are going to struggle as its not just the loss of a player but the loss of a psychological affect on the other teams. eben a lot like bakkies is one player no one wants to face with him out the stomers will be less feared. Bulls being a yound team may suffer early on but will find there feet in later rounds i believe. However Sharks may win the conference but no more than that, we all know they are chockers.. and until proved otherwise i dont believe they will win those hard close fought games!
