Brave Sharks....

Wonderful contest today...with an edge of the seat conclusion. The Sharks pretty much had it won at minute 77 and then Andrews, a late sub ran feebly, losing his feet before protection could arrive. The rest was an assault on the line that always looked like a late Sader try failing a handling error, which never came. So this was a monumental defensive effort, the Sharks made 163 tackles to 52 by the Saders!. They gained almost no metres ball in hand and had only 26% of the territory....but that was partially because Bosch was ringing the register from way out. In the end three known weaknesses cost them.....the flimsiness of Andrews.....the Tank 's scrumming which led to a penalty and a try, he had a grand game otherwise.....and Bosch who missed two tackles for tries. Lots for Rassie to process here. First the levelling effect of great defence....that needs to be a WC priority. Bosch is a match winner, but at 15.....his general play was hesitant and his defence the one chink in the armour. Nkosi looked terrific today. Esterhozen and Am who had a particularly good game, could suffice at centre. Thomas has to be kept at loosehead and given time to settle.... Coenie is yesterday's news. The Deysel twins seem to have cleaned up their handling problems, and were influential in today's dog fight. On today's evidence, I'd take JL ahead of Stephanie if that's the choice. Akker was terrible at the lineouts, but despite the commentators saying it was for a few strides....he ran step for step with Bridge. This chap should probably have been directed to open side flank. What a force he could have been!

And when will fools like Houwing learn.....15 committed men are always in the game.....the idea of fielding a second team when the opportunity to play the log leaders arrives.....is cowardly and dishonorable.

Bosch may be the best pole kicker in world rugby.

What a difference Ruan Botha made compared to the utterly useless Andrews. The string bean is insulting and of course cost the Sharks as soon as he came on. I like the look of v Heerden at lock he gets stuck in, he impressed me at the Bulls and as a Baby Bok. We keep producing locks. The Saders play such a good game - quick clearance from the base and so many support runners to offload to with good lines run by so many of them. It’s why they are so successful - credit to the Sharks for containing them. Most sides crack under the relentless speed and angles thrown at them. Robinson would make a brilliant test coach

The Du Preez 'tins'.....nah they weren't that bad.

The Dupreez twins are too similar. They are ball carriers and tacklers. One of them should be more effective at the breakdown. 
Vermeulen although past his best offers an all-around game. The advantage of this is that he can alternate his style of play based on the game situation. -When the Boks are dominating possesion he can be a ball carrier. -When the Boks have less possesion he can contribute at the ruck to get turnovers, slow opposition ball down, and help clean out ruck when the Boks have possession. 
When a South African team loses at the breakdown, things get ugly. The worst Bok performances and SuperXV performances are when the breakdown is a disaster. 

The Deysel Tins have a big advantage in that there are two of them...my guess is fans attribute good and bad done by one to both players. Remember when Schalk cut his hair, he became invisible. The eyes play tics ...I mean tricks.

Lineouts, turnovers, cover on deep kicks, offloads, tough yards running, defense all over the park.