The Golden Lions-

It is typical of South African Super15 teams in the past that are at the bottom of the log to only play their best against South African opposition and ruin other teams ambitions while having none of their own. The Cheetas and Lions have been at this give 110% against other South African teams for ages.

The Cheetas have since come right as a team, however the Lions have been cannon fodder for the Antipodian teams usually, only to give it everything against an SA team.

The sharks felt the effects before the international break, and could have been ahead of the bulls were it not for the unexpected loss to the kittens

Wonder if the Lions will do it again, versus the Stormers. Dont give us that crap that they are playing for each other to unite against their ex-coach John Mitchell who treated them unfairly. If anything he was not hard enough on them. 

ok they have had injuries, but how many years ago have they last been a competitive team week in and week out except against sa teams. They are even starting to make the Southern Queens look like a legitimate option.

The whole of the Lions board should have been fired ages ago- that Kevin de Klerk is trying to take credit for the curry cup last year. To late for them now 

What are they supposed to do, Roll over and die? I don't think so.  Play with a little heart and soul. Good for them. I wouldn't want it any other way. I wouldn't like it if a team I was playing just rolled over. I would lose a lot of respect for them very quickly if they just rolled over and died rather then playing hard and trying to win. If the Stormers or Sharks can't beat them fair and square, then that's the Stormers and Sharks fault.

I expect nothing less then a hard fought battle this weekend from the Lions. I wouldn't want it any other way for my Stormers. Bring it!!!

I must agree with canrugby here, if they just throw these games then it would be a shame for the sport as a whole. If the Bulls, Stormers and Sharks aren't good enough to beat the Cheetahs and Lions, then that means they aren't good enough to represent SA in the knockout rounds. Do you think the NZ and Aus teams will do that? It may appear that way, but their lower teams have screwed over their top teams just as many times as ours have. No, each team must play to the best of their ability...end of story.

Sharkbok you have  a good point. These guys live for deby games and loaf the rest of the time.

No one minds them playing their best against SA sides but HOW ABOUT PLAYING THEIR BEST AGAINST THE DOWN UNDER MONGS!!!  That is the problem.

Lions are desparate and are thus a dangerous proposition for a weakened Stormers team.  We have to win this one.

Sorry guys but next year most of the ex-sharks players will be moving to the EP Queens to play rugby.

No more money in JHB (Black Diamond money) so off they will be.

Remember in the late 70's and 80's when Transvaal used the almignty Rand to side players from elsewhere in RSA...no more.

You guys can alwys cross the river to go and watch the Bulls....if you are still interested in RUGBY.

What goes around comes around....eventually. 

GO STORMERS GO!!!!!!

Shark fan in Canada.

 I am glad you see the point Beeno. 

The teams vying for play off positions are the best performers week in, week out.

It is much easier to give 110% on home soil against local opposition, and give 50% against Antipodian teams only to save yourself for derbies.

canrugby- I am not expecting them to roll over and die, I am expecting exactly opposite. I am demanding that they do not roll over and die against Antipodian teams. Then go overseas and have a crap tour and give up, the efforts against the touring sides in sa is not good enough by the Lions. 
No wonder John Mitchell has lost his rag with them. 

Years ago South African teams were struggling to get one team into the play offs, In recent years with the advacements of the Bulls, and consistency in Stormers along with the traditional efforts of the Sharks- it has thrown the whole tournament on its head- and now the Cheetas are competive as well 

This has resulted in our teams helping each other, by keeping points away from the OZ/Kiwi teams. 

This year may be 3 out of 6 South African teams in the play offs.An without the current structure, possibally no Australian teams would make the play offs.

If the Lions played half decent, the Cheetas could have also been in with a shout for the play offs- the are currently ranked 10th- but out of contention- note they lost a game to the Lions.

The Lions only 2 wins are against SA opposition. They have lost to weaker teams at home and away that are not from South Africa. 

The point being, that the Sharks got beaten because the Lions build themselves for the derby- where as the sharks need to pace themselves for a marathon and not one sprint.

...could be a weekend of upsets mockingbirds... Nadal has fallen, Germany has fallen...Stormers maybe next mockingbirds...like you say Moonbean they're weak .....what a way with words you have Moonbean...

@SharkBok

I see what you're saying, but it's just their competitive spirit coming out. Playing their rivals brings the best out of them. It brings the best out of every player and team. You "get up" for the games more. It's just how these athletes are tuned. Other SA teams have to take notice to this, or they'll be beat. I fully blame the Sharks for taking them to lightly, and looking ahead past that game. Yes, they have bigger fish to fry, but how do they look past that game and not expect a full on battle? That is 100% the sharks fault.  If the Stormers do the same thing tomorrow, I will fully blame them to.