I'm inclined to agree with the team selection. Plum wasn't given much choice given the schedule. Can't risk our under-performing stars in a comp that is meaningless (I don't agree with teams dropping down from CC) when we are still in a good position in the URC.
Nice to see Penxe getting another start after so many consecutive terrible performances. Good contender for worst Sharks player ever, of which there is considerable competition.
$hark$ 2023 and beyond
My URC and Champions Cup/Challenge Cup Year Review.
The good.
I would have taken 3rd place and a semi-final exit at the beginning of the year. Never nice to lose a knock-out, but a massive improvement on 2023-2024.
The Tshituka brothers have finally found form, they had a great season. A decent season from Jason Jenkins too.
Some other wonderful finds like Hooker and Juries. I think our young locks are destined for great things too.
We appear to have built some depth in our squad. Still some issues at 2 and 10 but better than previous years.
We showed some guts in the later part of the season.
The bad.
Some damn ugly rugby. We played well below the talent we have in the squad.
We don't have the squad depth to have a realistic chance in Champions Cup.
How on earth we still pay Penxe money is beyond me. Almost as bad as Wright.
A shame to lose players like Venter, Richardson and especially Mchunu who has made the ultimate betrayal.
No Eben = no win. We missed him when he was injured.
The good.
I would have taken 3rd place and a semi-final exit at the beginning of the year. Never nice to lose a knock-out, but a massive improvement on 2023-2024.
The Tshituka brothers have finally found form, they had a great season. A decent season from Jason Jenkins too.
Some other wonderful finds like Hooker and Juries. I think our young locks are destined for great things too.
We appear to have built some depth in our squad. Still some issues at 2 and 10 but better than previous years.
We showed some guts in the later part of the season.
The bad.
Some damn ugly rugby. We played well below the talent we have in the squad.
We don't have the squad depth to have a realistic chance in Champions Cup.
How on earth we still pay Penxe money is beyond me. Almost as bad as Wright.
A shame to lose players like Venter, Richardson and especially Mchunu who has made the ultimate betrayal.
No Eben = no win. We missed him when he was injured.
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OomStruisbaai
- Posts: 16050
- Joined: Fri Jul 03, 2020 12:38 pm
- Location: Longest beach in SH
SA franchises nowadays just a stepping stone
Leaving Eduan Keyter (Lions), James Venter (Gloucester), Ntuthuko Mchunu (Stormers), Gerbrand Grobler (unknown), Henry Immelman (Bulls – end of loan) and Dylan Richardson (Edinburgh)
Leaving Eduan Keyter (Lions), James Venter (Gloucester), Ntuthuko Mchunu (Stormers), Gerbrand Grobler (unknown), Henry Immelman (Bulls – end of loan) and Dylan Richardson (Edinburgh)
It's just shame when it's a step in the wrong direction like Mchunu.OomStruisbaai wrote: Mon Jun 16, 2025 5:23 am SA franchises nowadays just a stepping stone
Leaving Eduan Keyter (Lions), James Venter (Gloucester), Ntuthuko Mchunu (Stormers), Gerbrand Grobler (unknown), Henry Immelman (Bulls – end of loan) and Dylan Richardson (Edinburgh)
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OomStruisbaai
- Posts: 16050
- Joined: Fri Jul 03, 2020 12:38 pm
- Location: Longest beach in SH
The Stormers are the fatty factory. Even our Bergies are on par these days. He will enjoy running rugby.assfly wrote: Mon Jun 16, 2025 6:23 amIt's just shame when it's a step in the wrong direction like Mchunu.OomStruisbaai wrote: Mon Jun 16, 2025 5:23 am SA franchises nowadays just a stepping stone
Leaving Eduan Keyter (Lions), James Venter (Gloucester), Ntuthuko Mchunu (Stormers), Gerbrand Grobler (unknown), Henry Immelman (Bulls – end of loan) and Dylan Richardson (Edinburgh)
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TheNatalShark
- Posts: 1329
- Joined: Sat Aug 22, 2020 4:35 pm
Not sure if Stormers are place to do it, but given how often we are munched in the scrum, it might be good to get some different coaching to potentially up his game - beyond very valid game time as a starter.assfly wrote: Mon Jun 16, 2025 1:21 pm Just kidding. Very sad to see him go, he's a real talent but he also needs game time. It will be good for the Boks if he can be the starting prop for the Stormers.