Preseason warm up in Polokwane...Sharks outscore Bulls by 5 tries to 2.

Doesn't seem to worry Mitchell at all...at least that's what he says but we are hopefully not fooled by such talk...ofcourse he's concerned.

Mitchell not perturbed by loss to Sharks | Sport24

What we can glean from this is that it looks like the Sharks will flourish under Robert Du Preez...he has an impressive record in all things rugby...apart from being a good sire to 3 sons who no doubt could all end up as internationals alll playing together in one match...that's very possible, if not probable...I've got a good feeling about this man...he has the makings of a good mentor and knows rugby inside out and has more than self interest in our rugby future...

It's my prediction into the future that both Johan Ackerman and him will be involved in our coaching combinations in Bok rugby...this imo augurs well.

Mitch...has good coaching skills but I would prefer both the latter 2 for the future...somehow I just feel that Mitch is NOT the man...get the impression there appears too much ego and self interest in his character (similar to Jake). Both Johan and Robert appear to be more "team" men.

.....and Rassie, well er, I'm not so sure...apart from inheriting a botch-up, somehow I feel the conditions, set-up and task might be too much for him but ofcourse I could be wrong.

Seb

If you look at the team the Bulls selected for the team playing on Saturday you would realize that the team selection covered in the main youngsters who were being evaluated as cover for the main team to be utilized in Super Rugby.

Because of concern about player injuries before the season starts, the key players of the team are not used in the warm-ups and I do not believe that more than 6 of the expected Bulls team played on Saturday.   

Knowing the above I am sure Mitchell is right in saying he is not worried,   However - that would not count with Mozart - who will bleat like hell about nothing.

Mitchell understands his Boks who didn't play will make a difference hence his not being worried. Secondly, the Bulle traditionally start slowly.

The guppies have been buying players galore every year whereas the Stormers export their best. 

We shall have to wait till a few matches are played to see where the teams are. I expect the Stormers to have a good pack and too many small fragile backs - a familiar pattern indicating the inability to learn.. We shall wait see what happens.

Totally agree Seb.

Thought there were a good amount of positives for the Sharks last year and they'll probably just improve.

Du Preez actually appears intelligent and seems clear about how he wants his team to play.

Hopefully this will be a break out year for the Sharks and the Bulls. Still don't know about the Stormers though. 

Some good signs and maybe us Saffa rugby fans will have a  it more to smile about this year.

Plum, yes I think you get my point...it is not about individual players but about coaches...Mike good jockeys can win the Durban July, the Met or even the Ascot on medium/good horses, I've seen that and even was told that by David Payne and Kevin Shea...I knew them...David just before he went to Oz and Kevin who lived not far from me...the horse reacts to the rider, not the other way round.

We have plenty of good talent in this country but our mindsets, even in high rugby circles are completely disfunctional and f,c.k.up and as a result the sheep-like fans in SA...the trouble is most of the fans only believe what they read, never have been or coached by a top rugby coach or known one and quite frankly apart from the technicals know zero about the psychology of rugby and some do not even believe it exists...lol

Lol..on a flippant and lighter context, .Maaikie, Denny and Rooiaas...who comes first the jockey or the horse...a one horse race.

Frik Du Preez in his book said in his days of glory that the coach was not that important...that they won on their own...just went onto the field and played and won...but life has these odd things that confound and confuse the staticians...

https://youtu.be/LOhPA4GtA0U

Seb

Thanks for the racing story,   I know David Payne but my real good friends in the racing scene were the late Charlie and Joy Barendse. their son-in-law the late Aubrey Roberts and Kerry Roberts and the rest of the tribe.   Those include The Governor and Glyn Schofield.    

I can tell you some really funny racing stories and my having a owner badge at the races,  resulted in the rakes, scarecrows,  idiots and co surrounded me asking for tips - which was exactly he opposite to what I told the jockeys and friends - I told them "I do not want to know".

The opposite about the good jockeys may also be true,   The late bookmaker Hugh Freeman told me once that the bookmakers do not know who Muis Roverts were riding for.    It could be the owners/coach, the bookmakers or some or other punter - they only found out after the race who has to pay up.

Ja Mike, to digress....Charlie was quite a character and a crack jock in his hey day, he used to live in Hillcrest and frequented the Shongweni Club often in his latter years...incidently David Payne bought his old house in Inanda Road and lived there for some time before going to Australia. David too was an outstanding jockey before having a weight problem when he took up training horses instead of riding them...way back he rode a 33-1 outsider Chimboraa to victory in the July.

To digress further:

Sadly that lovely house and property was sold to a property developer Owen Kemp who chopped it up and built these ghastly side by side units...Balmoral...how I despise property developers...the scurge of humanity...they decimate the beautiful natural land for filthy lucre without any regard for taste and ecology and put nothing back.

Seb

Joy Barendse owned a horse in a major race in Durban.   She told Charlie to put the second price money on the horse to win.   Charlie was riding the horse and it won.   Afterwards she asked him if he did and he said no.    She wanted to have a fit - the second price money was R10 000 and the horse was 10/1.   In the 1960's R100 000 was a small fortune and that would have been a huge bonus for her.  

Joy and Charlie was divorced in the 1960's and she lived with a Serbian guy, while he married a younger women (Barbara).   He got seriously ill before his death and stayed with Joy and her boyfriend.   He one day asked the maid to go and buy a racing card and she came back with a bible quote book.  

He died afterwards and the wife emptied out their flat and took everything.   Just before his death they were in the process of divorce and then they find his will left everything to Barbara.   The will was changed the day before his death leaving everything to his daughter Kerry Roberts.  

Charlie denied ever crooking a race - but said he once on the turn hooked his leg into the one of another jockey in the process unbalancing him and he won the race.