Brendan Venter

Could be brought into the Sharks set up according Gavin Rich

Plumtree is clearly getting some heat from above

Sharks has a culture problem, they have gone for race base selections, but then when you look at the demographics, even most players are black, they all come form different parts of the country and Africa.

Ox and Bongi are Soto, Trisisukas are Congo, so it goes on. They don't all speak the same language and definitely don't have the same culture.

Yes, and Plumtree is shit and living of his legendary status. But people forgot why he got the boot. Seasons are long and if you lose your first 4 games with this team then fans have every right to ask questions.

He had all summer to dial in this team and he achieved nothing.

Where was the stormers don't bank on their stars, they have managed to win without Springboks.

It’s not a race thing - it’s having too many Springboks mostly past their prime

The likes of Mapimpi, Am, Bongi, Nyakane and Koch are now Bok discards so I’m guessing they are a little pissed off with life right now

There could be tension between this group and the Boks that are still in the squad like Eben, Kolisi, Ox and Esterhuizen - to a lesser extent Hooker and Williams

Then you also have a handful of players that have won a few Bok caps and been dropped like the Hendrikse brothers and Vincent Tsituka

So there could be plenty of undercurrent brewing at the Sharks as something is not right there

But it’s pure speculation

Also you have Eben on R20M a season who only plays 10 odd games

Apparently Plumtree’s fate will be heard today

At least we agree that the Sharks are looking dang terrible. How you can have a backline with Williams, Hooker and AE present, and still suck...I dunno.

How you can have that many mobile forwards, such a strong scrum, and still create a poor platform...again, beyond me.

For me, it's their ruck pressure that's lacking. Not enough disruption of opposition ball and too flaky on their own ball. They need more of the Marcos and Jaspers of this world in their side. And it doesn't help that Eben looks like he's either in need of a break or saving himself for the EOYT. That pack should be running over the top of teams. The Lions ran over Ulster on the weekend. When you're paying that much in salaries at the Sharks, you'd expect the same as a minimum from them.

Franco's son had a great game at 10 on the weekend, but I don't know why they ever moved away from Jordan. He was really good at the start of last season, and then he had an average game or two and suddenly fell out of favour. Very weird. He's an abrasive cat, has an attacking mindset, and he does have the biggest out-of-hand boot in SA at the moment(my opinion). Perhaps its just because Fassi has been injured all this time.

The selection of Masuku last weekend is evidence as to the type of game they want to play. The result was the proof of what a shit idea that game plan is.

The need to man up and select Hendrikse at 10, AE at 12 and Hooker at 13. At least you're shoring up the midfield. Perhaps they'll have time to think about that while those guys are away on EOYT.

Who will they pick at 12 while Andre is away? Am?

I suppose that one should stop watching the Sharks with a "want them to win" mindset and instead approach it thinking "got my popcorn and I'm here for the train smash."

Might be easier on the emotions.

I don’t like Jordan Hendrikse at 10, much like I never liked Willemse at 10

Jordan is better suited to 15 and 12, he is needed at 15 in the absence of Fassi

Smith is doing a good enough job there

I want to see Hooker at 12, JJ at 13 - AE and Am can extend their lifespans off the bench

Average Frans Venter will be brought in at 12 in the absence of AE, although the URC is on sabbatical over the test window period

The Hendrikse brothers give me Elton vibes.

Especially Jayden with that ridiculous unkept Afro haircut.. He looks like he's on the field for a bit of a stuff around.

My mamma would be so upset if i went anywhere with hair like that!

Did you see the Siya / Little Plumtree spat?

Little Plumtree looks like a bit of a shithouse. Glad he fucked off to Wales. He has no place in NZ or SA teams.

Jordan Hendrikse is a good player

Jayden has regressed

Plumtree is a damn good player - I’d happily have him in SA

Elton was also a good player who regressed.

Watch this space...

Kak Elton got better and better

Hendriks brothers are over rated, I gave them a chance last season and thought given their ages that they need a season or two, but now two seasons at the Sharks and they are abysmal.

The real problem is the way the players attack and the shape they run. All the players want to beat the man first and then pass, very similar to Willemse. I actually saw Willemse pass over the weekend, it was a simple run around with Mathee, but I think he got the message that he just have to be pivot and not always try to beat the man.

Where as JJ has on break and then can't tackle for shit.

Hooker is the only one with a decent work rate, never stops, but I think he would be better outside of the Saarks, Maybe to Bools, would love to have him at the Stormers.

I saw both Tsesuka brother played over the weekend. but one of them scoring a try. But the sharks just can't do any decent backline play.

Fuck me King you really are a dumb plank

JJ can’t tackle - when did that happen huh?

Jordan Hendrikse was excellent when he got a Bok call up

Try fucking waking up

Julius’ season tackle stats on the URC site:

13 tackles made/6 missed…..% success 59%, but actually their system seems to have calculated it wrong it should be 68%. Better but still not good.

His running is better 18 carries/ 7 defenders beaten….which pretty much matches his tackling 19 tackles attempted/ 6 tackles missed. Kind of a neutral

He does seem to be conceding a lot of ball though:

Turnovers made 1/ turnovers conceded 3. I guess the turnover made was the hold up for a maul. Good but 3 turnovers in 18 carries not so bueno.

Much of his season so far hinges on the break on Saturday….but honestly Kriel or any of our top centers would have been through there given the defender laying off and Esterhozen’s excellent offload. Kolbe would have scored

……..

A mixed bag for Julius. I’m guessing the Sharks will play him more now…Am is clearly a shadow out there. We should know more by the end of the URC.

Brendan Venter is a part-timer; I would have preferred Jake White.

I would not expect either of them to be long-term options. Jake White usually ends up in disputes with the players, but he can turn a team around quickly, before a long-term successor is found.

When last has Venter coached? He was at the Sharks before, and I dont think he lasted that long.