Currie Cup Semi-Finals

Sharky  I see you are just as shrewd as ever. These should be two well contested semis.

WP and Lions have been the form teams. 
WP have impressed with their expansive approach. It has been refreshing to see Kolbe and co in action. Even the replacement outside backs as 2nd choice curry cup back line players have put their hands up for SuperXV level. Lots of depth. It will be good to see how they go in next years SuperXV. If they can retain the defense of recent seasons and combine it with the current attack things should go well. Like the Springboks they are using their backline. 
The Sharks have regressed since the SuperXV, especially after the overseas heroics tour. When the physicality tank started running empty, their was no plan B. 
Jake Ball is gone, at least winning can be more entertaining rugby. He must also have taken flack for his player management and burning them out by playing the Boks too much. 
The Curry Cup has for much of the early stages has just been a tired team, minus boks and minus plan A. 

The Sharks Curry team seems to change week to week, albeit their has been some settling in recent weeks. The 2 young flyhalfs of SuperXV , Zelinga & are struggling to even get on the bench. 
The Cheetas are not doing well, one can only imagine how crap they are going to be next year in the SuperXV. They have no depth in their squad and most of their best players have deserted them. 
Sharks need to make a plan to buy Willie Le Roux. We need a counter attacking fullback in the mould of Andre Joubert/ Leroux to inject some creativity into the backs.
The Sharks could pull of an upset. They did play well against a 2nd string WP side last week. 
The Bulls should be too one dimensional for WP, an will be relying heavily on Pollard to bring imagination to their attack. 
Predictions (Not bets)
WP 33- Bulls 20Lions 28- Sharks 20 
Hopefully I am wrong about the Sharks.

 I think the Bulls will upset WP and it will be a Bulls, Sharks final but what would an Aussie know about it. Sharkbok I hope you are wrong about the sharks as well.

 Lions and WP to win. Sharkie has got it right.
Given snapsters predictive capabilities this looks to be good omen for WP!

The mighty WP at full strength will most likely dominate all-around with the versatility throughout the backs and forwards. The bulls won easily against the Griquas, a team that has been very poor and out of form this season hence why the bulls shouldn't be
overhyped from last week. WP by 17

Lions have quality players and play superb rugby when they are at their best, the players are improving. They achieved the most bonus points this season which shows the lions shouldn't be underestimated. The Sharks can play well but I expected a better overall performance from the sharks last week against a WP side with the majority of their key players out. Lions by 7

Interesting perspectives. Based on my opinion, I think the probability for an upset at Ellis Park is greater than at the Newlands semi-final so I definitely would not make a call for the season long under performing Bulls to make the final.

With the exception of Handre Pollard and Jan Serfontein there are no other current Bulls players that I like.

If there is to be an upset this weekend, it will most likely be a narrow Sharks win over the Lions. If that happens I will be watching the second semi-final with great interest since I firmly believe that in the highly unlikely event that the Bulls pull an upset, the Sharks will crucify them in the final at Kings Park. Which obviously suits me.

So IF the Sharks should win I would obviously prefer the Bulls to pull the upset - purely because it would all but hand them the trophy. If the Lions win, I think it would be proper if the form Currie Cup team, WP won their semi.

I am still going WP vs. Lions. WP to take it. Best Currie Cup team this year, and worthy champions. Will be a brilliant final.

I reckon it'll be a Sharks vs Bulls final at Kings Park.

For the Sharks sake, I'd actually prefer WP to beat the Bulls this weekend because even though that will mean the Sharks play the final away, it'll be an easy game against their squealing little Bunnies.

Geez Sharky if you don't rate Marcel v/d Merwe, Paul Willemse and Jacques du Plessis of the Bulls, you need your eyes tested.  

Dave, you and I have never really agreed on player ratings and I dont expect that will change now.

Paul Willemse was promising but one can't really call him a current Bull considering he probably has his bags packed for after the game on Saturday. Pity but then the Bulls do leak players like a bucket that has taken a few shots from a 12 gauge. Probably because of their antiquated Sunday school teacher type management style.

Marcel vd. Merwe - average player - we have tons of those in all 4 semi-finalists. Jacques Du Plessis - dont rate at all. Another big but fairly ineffective unit, aka. Pierre Spies.

Cliche but lets agree to disagree.

Rooies - LOL. I have to agree. My evil twin suggests that two 'disappointments' in a row for the 2013 and 2014 media favorites at Newlands would be delicious and intensely satisfying, but the Sharks were a different team last year in their lead up to the final.

I am not sure they have the ability to cross that bridge again but hey, we all know the Sharks can be a tough prospect for any opposition if they decide to pitch.

I haven't got too many expectations from this weekend so I am just going to sit back and enjoy the rugby. It should be two great games to watch ! Hugh Bladen is already shuffling on his zimmer frame, Scotch in hand to get to the commentators box by the time the game starts.

Sharky good to have you back despite a shit taste in players......you have far better taste in music  

LOL @ Dave.

Dude, although I have never really figured out who you officially support, I know you have a soft spot for the Bulls and Bulls players. This automatically qualifies you for the Blue Blindness Benefit (BBB).

The BBB is an effort to provide tolerance and dismissive humor to those afflicted by blue blindness.

Here is an example. After the All Black game last weekend, of all the players that had average games, who does my Blue Bull supporting brother in law pick that should be dropped from the Bok squad ? Bismark Du Plessis. I mean, as clear as day - the whole game started to come apart the moment Bismark was replaced by Strauss. We lost at least 30% of our effectiveness in the rucks and mauls to begin with, and poor Duanne Vermeulen suddenly couldn't poach as many balls.

But, I enacted BBB and laughed it off since this is quite obviously a case of severe blue blindness. It seems to me you qualify for BBB - hence my 'LOL' at the start of this post

Yep - I have to agree there. Heyneke Meyer has actually produced a pretty decent Springbok outfit. There are players that I am not crazy about but overall the results aren't offensive. The separation between us and the All Blacks in the Rugby Championship was 1 try...about 3 meters out.....but.....

My problem with Captain Blue Bull Heyneke Meyer is that he has a gigantic ego. If we thought we have had self assured coaches before, he makes them all look quite nominal when it comes to ego. I think a coach that comes the closest to sharing the enormity of Heyneke Meyers self appreciation is Nick Mallet. Did Nick Mallet ever live in Pretoria because this trend of comical delusions of grandeur appears to be in the water in the Jakaranda Stad.

There is literally not enough space in an average sized board or locker room for anything more than a 'yes man' if Heyneke Meyer is present. Hence, Francois Steyn (who granted is a bit of a brat) had to go.

One cant fault Meyer on passion. The guy looks like he is dumping a extra large christmas decoration when he watches a game but I think he rules a bit too much with the emotive elements. He definitely has his favorites - you would have to be blind not to see that.