Vintage Sharks draw with Rebels

The Sharks’ game against the Rebels on Saturday was nothing short of disappointing, not only for the home team, but the visitors as well.

In 2016 the Sharks discipline was a huge cause for concern, copping an unprecedented number of red and yellow cards alike. It was once again the Sharks of old that showed up at Kings Park and were hugely disappointing against a side they would have fancied getting a bonus point win against.

The Sharks looked to be doing everything right this season, with their only real hiccups coming against the Kings at home. Unfortunately they learnt the hard way that 14 rarely beats 15, especially for that amount of time. It’s a lesson the Sharks are all too familiar with and without Esterhuizen for the next 6 weeks for his dangerous tackle, the Sharks will need to ensure they remain disciplined. They next face the Jaguars in Argentine where the Jags have been sublime. Both teams will be battling it out for second place in Africa 2 and a chance to try and pip the Lions at the post at the end of the season.

Hurricanes humiliate Brumbies

The Brumbies might have fancied their chances at the half-time break when they were up by seven against the defending champs, but boy were they sadly mistaken.

The Brumbies seemed shell-shocked in the second half and could only sit back and face a Canes masterclass, with the New Zealanders running riot at the GIO stadium. The Hurricanes ooze class from number 1-15 and their depth is incredible. It just seems that regardless who is rested and who is injured, the replacements come into the side and replicate the exact same form of their predecessor.

The Hurricanes look to be the in form team in this year’s competition, along with the unbeaten Crusaders, and their encounter cannot come any sooner, although they are only set to clash on the 13th of May, after the Crusaders’ tour to South Africa.

Kings break Aussie duck

In what was probably their greatest performance and victory to date, the Kings finally snatched a win on Australian soil.

Their never-say-die attitude saw them come from behind and ultimately humiliate the Waratahs in front of their home crowd in Sydney. It is not often that the Kings are the best performing team in South Africa on any given weekend, especially when every other franchise was in action. The Kings showed that you do not need a team of superstars and world-renowned coaches, but rather determination and teamwork can yield the same results, if not better.

Although they will probably not be around in the competition next year, they have nothing to lose. They look to throw everything except the kitchen sink into a game which also makes for great watching. Don’t be surprised if they don’t have a couple more surprises up their sleeves, especially at home.

Lions humbled by Jaguares

I’m not sure what it is but the Lions just can’t seem to get it right with the Jaguares. In their last two encounters against the Argentine side, they haven’t managed a single victory.

Friday night saw the Lions finally claim their first win over the Jaguares, albeit only by a single penalty. The Lions got very lucky at Ellis Park and it was clearly a case of the Jaguares losing than the Lions winning. The Jaguares looked to be in the driving seat but stupidly decided to play the ball in their own half and subsequently threw a forward pass which resulted in a scrum in the Lions favour and ultimately winning a penalty to kick it over for the win. The Lions have lost a decent number of players and their trip down under will be a true test of their depth and whether or not they are real title contenders or not for this years campaign.

Four franchises perfect for SA rugby

While it is still being decided, it looks as though South African rugby will lose the Kings and the Cheetahs next year. Although fans in Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth will not be happy, it can only benefit the other four franchises.

The Lions, Stormers, Bulls and Sharks can only be helped by the influx of quality players from the other sides. A rumour of the Lions and Cheetahs forming the Cats again has gone around, although highly unlikely. It is tough to wave goodbye to the Cheetahs though. They have been a major presence in Super Rugby and South African rugby alike, but the calibre of player will bolster the remaining franchises and will make SA rugby a dominant force in the years to come.

By Tristan Renaud