SEMI- Stormers vs Sharks (defence vs Attacjk & Defence)

The Sharks are in better form that the Stormers- (scoring tries)

But the Sharks are flying back home after a difficult hard game, while the stormers are resting.

The forward battle is going to be titanic. 

I say it is a 50/50 but if the sharks play at their best for the game- the sharks will win

Plumtree said before the last game when the sharks won- the best way to beat the Stormers is to play with total variety to be unpredictable.- this is how to beat the Stormers defence. If the stormers defence can be beaten a good attacking team will score more points than the Stormer will, and win the game.

Based on how the Sharks played- I think we could have beaten the Crusaders. If the Sharks win against the Stormers- I think we could go all the way if the same form continues. Our forward pack is awesome- probably or surely the best in the Tournament. Most should be first choice for the boks. Much more brains than the bulle. 

Typically I would rather the sharks play the chiefs in the final- but then again the Crusaders have not been at their best this season- or other teams have just caught up on them in performance.

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 Sharks are finding form at just the right time. As a Stormers fan this is the last team in the playoffs I would want to face. Should be an epic, low scoring affair. Hope that whoever wins has gas in the tank for the final to take down the NZ team

@sharkbok,

I am loving the way the Sharks are playing and they give me massive hope for the style and future of Bok rugby or SA in general going forward.

Nonetheless, the last 15 minutes of the second half against the Stormers is going to be a massive ask for the Sharks and unless they are holding a reasonable lead then I will back them all the way. However if it is close or they are chasing then I back the Stormers based simply on the fatigue factor.

In days gone by adrenalin and passion would win you games however in todays game its a lot more mechanical and Plumtree will need to be very strategic in his subbing as he will need all his experienced and lead players on tthe field as long as possible. Nonetheless, the Sharks will need to engage fresh legs earlier than the Stormers and the question will be is what effect will this have on the dynamics of the game? The advantage to the top two qualifiers is so much in their favour that it nearly makes it 'unfair' as a contest.

At what cost would it come to if the Sharks win and then these players are asked to back up against the best that the Kiwis can offer. This comp is so hard to win and it depends so much on many small details.

So in concluding and as much as this does hurt me to say so the best possible chance we have as a SA supporter to win this comp is for the Stormers to win as the home town advantage and the travel required by the kiwis weighs massively in our favour.

 The task for the Sharks to turn around and go back to win in NZ will be a tour too far no matter how fervent and hopeful and passionate we are

i agree sharkbok....the only way to beat the jacques nienaber defence pattern is by using the kick in and behind de jongh....he shoots up in defence and that leaves a gaping hole in at the back. that being said he defends with a weak out shoulder so i think to gets some width and speed on attack one can expose him and create space. hanbana also tends to overshoot his marker so that side of the pitch where jp is posted can also be exploited with runners creating a overlap. on defence in the world can hold out for 80 mins so its just a fact of creating those space and scoring a few tries. as soon as the stormers are behind on the scorecard then the limp attack will be badly exposed

the ideal situation will be a nice first half lead but i do fear the travel will not be easy. not easy to transverse the amount of kilos. if can be done not the less. keep the ball in hand force the stormers to defend wave after wave after wave and they will crack

 The Stormers have played their best in the 1st half of allmost every game they have played.

After halftime, the 3rd quarter has been their worst. In nearly every game they have lost their 3rd quarter. 

So I would agree that- the Sharks need to try dominate the 1st half, then the 3rd quarter. If enough points have been scored the Sharks will win. The Stormers do not have the scoring power to comeback significantly in the 4th quarter. 

In some ways I want the Stormers to win- so an SA team can win the tournament. 

But I am still supporting the Sharks- I think the Sharks could win this game, and then travel to New Zealand and win again. The odds are against this- but it is possibale. 

if we stick to our amazing playing pattern and make sure that the general speed of the game is quick then the sharks will crack the stormers defence line. mentally the sharks are a lot sharper due to the stormers mental choking issue then tend to have in playing major comp's knock out games. its all about what happens on the day.

i firmly believe the sharks can crack the defence. that to me will be the biggest contest. the attack of the sharks and the defence of the stormers. are boys will be up for it here in newlands. the stormers have a lot of problems on defence just very few teams can expose them but this weekend that will change that