Stormers v Sharks [Review]

A few interesting things on the second viewing. I must agree with Mozart's view that the Stormer's were quite fortunate to escape that first half unscathed. But they definitely had the better of the second half by far.

Stormers
They look vulnerable out wide, and a better side would have pressed that advantage and turned it into tries. I must say that I was impressed Etzebeth and Kitshoff. Another great young talent is Kolisi, who had another massive game. Joe Pietersen looks very much like a Bok fullback to me, very calm at the back with a booming tactical boot. They looked much better though once Grant returned. de Jongh looked very good when he had the ball, in spite of what he had to work with.

Sharks
Bismarck was anonymous for large periods, concede a couple of penalties. He was drive backwards and at a couple of rucks driven aside easily. Scrumming was harder to judge for me, as Chadwick was schooled. JP was good ball in hand, but poor on defence. His positional play is not good enough. Lambie's tactical kicking was shocking, nothing much to speak of. I recall one good run that led to nothing and a chip that led to nothing. McLeod by far the best of the half-backs. The Sharks were guilty of rushing the ball wide and wasted Mvovo's pace as the defence pinned them into the touchline. Sharks need considerable more grunt up front and the scrums were shocking.
 

 Aristocrat, I have been saying for a long time that I am surprised that Joe Pietersen has not been selected yet as fullbacks for the Boks! That boy is slick, agile and very talented! He would be selected hands down if he were to move to Australia (or NZ - dare I say it)

At 85 kg Joe is a bit light unfortunately.  Abs do not play 85 kg backs apart from scrumhalf perhaps. Ditto OZ

Aristocat noted Stormers vunerabilty out wide. We have Aplon at 79 kg, Pietersen at 85 kg and De Jongh at 88 kg (note Dave not 87 kg!) This is part of the problem as sides love running against lightweigths who can do no damge in the tackle.

Add in Duveage our scrummie then we have 4 small backs out of 7. Our only back of size is Jean. Grant and Habana are average size for their positions.  Pity we lost Jaque Fourie.

Joe Pietersen is no lightweight. He was very strong and secure taking the ball into contact! Do you not recall Pietersen handed off Chadwick, then Skeate? This nonsense that he is too lightweight is rubbish. de Jongh is not a liability at 13. You do not need a power 13, but at 12, yes he was a problem as he got overwhelmed and could not provide the go-forward that a 12 is supposed to provide. Weight does not equal strength. Lambie is heavier than Joe Pietersen and Aplon, but is far more vulnerable to physicality. This notion just doesn't hold up to scrutiny.