Super 15: Cheetahs - Sharks in Bloemfontein (04-06-2011, 16:05 GMT)

[Darwin]

Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein (04-06-2011, 1:056 GMT)

The Sharks face the Cheetahs in Bloemfontain in a match that may have a huge impact on whether the Sharks make it into the playoffs this year. The Sharks currently sit in fifth spot, but a loss to the Cheetahs would likely see them drop out of the top six, and mean they would have to win their final two matches (against the Lions and the Bulls) if they want to make it into the playoffs. The Cheetahs have played some entertaining rugby all year, and have finally been rewarded recently, winning 4 out of their last 5 matches, though they did suffer a loss to the Bulls last weekend.

Cheetahs – 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Riaan Viljoen, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Corne Uys, 11 Philip Snyman, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Davon Raubenheimer, 7 Ashley Johnson, 6 Johan Wessels, 5 Martin Muller, 4 Francois Uys, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (c), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.
Subs: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Lourens Adriaanse, 18 Izak van der Westhuizen, 19 Pieter Myburgh, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Naas Olivier, 22 Riaan Smit.

Sharks - 15. Louis Ludik, 14. JP Pietersen, 13. Stefan Terblanche , 12. Meyer Bosman, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Patrick Lambie, 9. Charl McLeod, 8. Ryan Kankowski, 7. Willem Alberts, 6. Keegan Daniel, 5. Gerhard Mostert, 4. Steven Sykes, 3. Eugene van Staden, 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 1. John Smit (c).
Subs: 16. Tendai Mtawarira, 17. Wiehahn Herbst, 18. Alistair Hargreaves, 19. Jacques Botes, 20. Frederic Michalak, 21. Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 22. Adrian Jacobs

There are several changes to the Sharks team, with Kankowski returning to number 8 after overcoming a cheek-bone fracture. Willem Alberts replaces the suspended Jean Deysel in the 7 jersey, while Keegan Daniel switches to the openside flank. Alister Hargreaves has been given a rest on the bench, with Gerhard Mostert given the start at lock. There is also a single change the backline with McLeod replacing the injured Hoffmann at 9, with the newly signed Frederic Michalak covering halfback from the bench.

Naka Drotske has made two changes to Cheetahs side. Hennie Daniller has been given the start at fullback, meaning Riaan Viljoen shifts to wing and Riaan Smit is dropped to the bench. Kabamba Floors has been sidelined with a knee ligament injury, and has been replaced by Johan Wessels on the flank.

I the six meeting between the Cheetahs and the Sharks neither team has gained an edge, with both winning three games apiece. The Sharks have won 3 out of the last 5 games though, including a comfortable 24-9 victory in round 1 of this seasons Super 15.

Last five results:
19 Feb 2011 Cheetahs v Sharks 9-24 Durban
19 Feb 2010 Cheetahs v Sharks 25-20 Durban
11 Apr 2009 Cheetahs v Sharks 31-6 Bloemfontein
10 May 2008 Cheetahs v Sharks 14-33 Durban
10 Mar 2007 Cheetahs v Sharks 14-30 Bloemfontein


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*Vbookie odds supplied by BWIN*

 

[Cassie]

A huge game for the Sharks hope they can win this one, it's not going to be easy. From a South African perspective I just hope they win which in fact I do believe will happen. Sharks to scrape it!!!

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Super 15: Cheetahs - Sharks in Bloemfontein (04-06-2011, 1:056 GMT)

Vbookie and logo's added

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Ebersohn and Lambie both missed pens but Lambie converts the second one. 0-3 for the Sharks

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Try for the Cheetahs after a very obvious forward pass to Johnson. Try by Sarel, his 9th

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

And there it's 8-3, Sias Ebersohn, who missed the conversion, has a succesful penalty now

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Worst players so far, obviously Willem Alberts. That guy cannot catch a ball even, and Smit in the scrums

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

First half over, 11-6 to the Cheetahs and the Sharks cannot complain for the score being that way. Cheetahs could have been up by a lot more. Cheetahs deserve the win so far and Sharks look paralyzed

 

[TNT88]

Cheetahs are defending well, and using the ball effectively. They will tire a little in the 2nd half though, and will struggle to keep dominating the ruck so much. Eventually the Sharks will have quicker ball available and it is up to them to make the most of it.

 

[Seaton]

Edit function nae working

I swear it feels as though that the brain power I put towards turning down the televisions volume was more than the collective sum of the entire Sharks team the entire first half

The lack of thinking displayed by McLeod, Alberts, Kanko and Bismarck so far has been horrible
Smit was woeful in the first few scrums, at least he is not putting his ground on the ground though

8 turnovers conceded already, Bismarck getting ripped by Snyman is just a microcosm of what is going on in our rucks

Z0rT i.t. Oot pLuM!!!

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

I hope so, we need the win. Thanks to your guys we are almost rid of the Highlanders for the play off spots. We need to win this to stay ahead of the Waratahs

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

I am getting so p'd off with those early passes. When you pass out wide, WAIT!!! At least walk up to your man before passing because this way it's too easy to defend.

Now 11-9 by Lambie with a penalty from 55 m.

 

[TNT88]

They have no one to take the ball to the line. They may as well play Lambie at 2nd receiver, and let someone spread the ball wide to him seeing as he does have the ability to hit the line at pace and create plays.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

And there we have big Lwazi!!! A 65 meter run, stepping, dodging and scoring a try!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Lambie converting, making it 11-16

 

[TNT88]

Ludik took the ball to the line and it payed off. Good try.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

We just need to wait before we pass. If we pass immediately, it's easy to defend

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Have to admit, Cheetahs' counter-rucking is amazing. We lost numerous balls, not because of bad rucking but the Cheetahs are simply better in that department

 

[TNT88]

Pretorious' duck was genius!

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Cheetahs will win this, I can feel it. Sharks are not up to it, too much lost rucks and all