NPR

Uncle fester wrote: Fri Apr 25, 2025 10:48 pm

fishfoodie wrote: Fri Apr 25, 2025 9:09 pm I don't recognize this Munster team; they're imposters wearing a jersey previously only worn by grizzled bar stewards who'd chew your ear off in a ruck, or trample their own Grandmothers underfoot on the 0.001% off chance they'd charge down a kick.

This side in theory have what it takes as there are undoubtedly some very talented players in it; but collectively they're gutless !!

We're not very good at the moment.
Clayton can't come quick enough.

OomStruisbaai wrote: Sat Apr 26, 2025 7:15 pm Stockdale is brilliant

fishfoodie wrote: Sat Apr 26, 2025 7:19 pm

OomStruisbaai wrote: Sat Apr 26, 2025 7:15 pm Stockdale is brilliant

You had to say it...

OomStruisbaai wrote: Sat Apr 26, 2025 7:50 pm

fishfoodie wrote: Sat Apr 26, 2025 7:19 pm

OomStruisbaai wrote: Sat Apr 26, 2025 7:15 pm Stockdale is brilliant

You had to say it...

Do he have Ireland caps?

fishfoodie wrote: Sat Apr 26, 2025 8:01 pm

OomStruisbaai wrote: Sat Apr 26, 2025 7:50 pm

fishfoodie wrote: Sat Apr 26, 2025 7:19 pm

You had to say it...

Do he have Ireland caps?

He does; he had one incredible debut season & was a try scoring machine, & then he spent years on the physio table, & in the last year he's started coming back into form, but as it goes with wingers, he just doesn't have that top end pace that he used to have.

TheNatalShark wrote: Sat Apr 26, 2025 6:58 pm Sharks fucking dire in every aspect of the game, going to be another 30+ loss with a full strength team

Uncle fester wrote: Sat Apr 26, 2025 8:05 pm

fishfoodie wrote: Sat Apr 26, 2025 8:01 pm

OomStruisbaai wrote: Sat Apr 26, 2025 7:50 pm

Do he have Ireland caps?

He does; he had one incredible debut season & was a try scoring machine, & then he spent years on the physio table, & in the last year he's started coming back into form, but as it goes with wingers, he just doesn't have that top end pace that he used to have.

And his confidence is brittle.

fishfoodie wrote: Sat Apr 26, 2025 8:12 pm

One of the things that I admire in sportsmen/women in sports like Golf & Snooker is their ability to put absolutely horrific shots in a box, & just treat the next shot as a completely different thing; a lot of Rugby players seem to not be able to compartmentalize it that way, & when they screw up, it messes up the rest of their game.

OomStruisbaai wrote: Sat Apr 26, 2025 8:37 pm All point to a Sharks vs Stormers quarter final.

Tichtheid wrote: Sat Apr 26, 2025 8:25 pm

fishfoodie wrote: Sat Apr 26, 2025 8:12 pm

One of the things that I admire in sportsmen/women in sports like Golf & Snooker is their ability to put absolutely horrific shots in a box, & just treat the next shot as a completely different thing; a lot of Rugby players seem to not be able to compartmentalize it that way, & when they screw up, it messes up the rest of their game.

This is Finn Russell's superpower

Tichtheid wrote: Sat Apr 26, 2025 8:29 pm Well done Sharks, they've pulled it out of the fire two weeks in a row now

Matongo bags degree, now rugby becomes his priority
25 Mar 2024 / News, rugby
He is hoping to emulate the legendary World Cup-winning Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira, his hero, has gotten an inspired Vernon Matongo (22) to set his sights on carving a name for himself in the rugby annals.

The loosehead prop, who hails from an eastern suburb in Harare, Zimbabwe called Cranborne, recently graduated, in the Stellenbosch University March graduation, with a Bachelor in Accounting, the first in his family to do so.

His mom, Hazel, has been his true inspiration – along with Beast of course – and while she joined him at his graduation ceremony, the Maties Sport star athlete feels the full backing of not only his family but everyone that has ever believed in him.

“Believe it or not, I am the first one to graduate in my family, and this is something that I am very proud to tick off on my list,” Matongo told Maties Sport. “This is a massive milestone for my family – my mom, dad, and brother – I worked hard but I do not take lightly what I have accomplished.”

Matongo made his debut for FNB Maties in the 2022 FNB Varsity Cup season when Maties came very close to clinching a sixth title. Towering at 1.81 metres, the former Northwood player has the world at his feet and with his recently signed two-year senior contract with Western Province, he has his sights set on emulating his childhood hero.

Much like Beast, Matongo has taken a similar pathway en route to professional rugby, they both even started as loose forwards before migrating to the front row. Both found their form in Durban, however, Matongo has decided to complete his studies in Cape Town and has since made the Western Cape his home for at least two seasons.

“Beast has always been an inspiration for every kid from Zimbabwe, what he has accomplished is nothing short of spectacular,” Matongo said. “We both started playing loose forwards, we both played in Durban, and we both play in the front row. Tendai is an inspiration and I hope that I can achieve some of what he has done.

“I look up to him in a massive way, he is my rugby idol and I hope I can inspire as many youngsters as he has in what has been a very successful and illustrious career.”

The B.Acc graduate has his sights firmly set on finishing his third season with Maties on a strong foot and hopefully with some silverware before he reports for duty at Western Province Rugby. The seasoned prop has scored six tries so far in the regular Varsity Cup season

“I recently signed a two-year deal with Western Province, which I am very happy about,” Matongo continued. “Rugby will take the front-row seat for now, I have my degree qualification which I will look to complete my articles at a later stage, but for now it will be Vernon Matongo the rugby player.”

assfly wrote: Mon Apr 28, 2025 8:16 am Awesome. That makes him the fourth Zimbabwean playing URC for a South African team.
Let's hope he carries that form into the RWC qualification in a few weeks.

OomStruisbaai wrote: Mon Apr 28, 2025 9:04 am

assfly wrote: Mon Apr 28, 2025 8:16 am Awesome. That makes him the fourth Zimbabwean playing URC for a South African team.
Let's hope he carries that form into the RWC qualification in a few weeks.

He came at the right time for the Stormers. On the TH side its a worry with Brok's injury altho Neethling Fouche ban is finished after the Scarlet's match.

Slick wrote: Mon Apr 28, 2025 9:05 am

OomStruisbaai wrote: Mon Apr 28, 2025 9:04 am

assfly wrote: Mon Apr 28, 2025 8:16 am Awesome. That makes him the fourth Zimbabwean playing URC for a South African team.
Let's hope he carries that form into the RWC qualification in a few weeks.

He came at the right time for the Stormers. On the TH side its a worry with Brok's injury altho Neethling Fouche ban is finished after the Scarlet's match.

Sounds a bit poachy

assfly wrote: Mon Apr 28, 2025 8:16 am Awesome. That makes him the fourth Zimbabwean playing URC for a South African team.
Let's hope he carries that form into the RWC qualification in a few weeks.

Uncle fester wrote: Mon Apr 28, 2025 12:18 pm Is he capped for Zimbabwe?

assfly wrote: Mon Apr 28, 2025 1:17 pm

Uncle fester wrote: Mon Apr 28, 2025 12:18 pm Is he capped for Zimbabwe?

Not yet. But we'll know in the next couple of weeks if he is to be called up for the series against Botswana.

Sandstorm wrote: Mon Apr 28, 2025 1:23 pm No offence to the 3rd tier teams, but it seems like a waste of talent to ignore a possible Bok callup in 26/27 . If he turns out for Zim now, he'll hardly play any Test rugby for the next 10 years.

Dobson added that Willemse has shown that he is a one-of-a-kind talent.

“I don’t think Damian always gets the recognition that he deserves for what he brings to our team. This is someone who has proven himself at the highest level and would walk into any team in the world.

“You will not find a more professional player, but what really stands out is his commitment and loyalty. It means so much for him to represent this team and our supporters, so this is a big moment in the career of one of our greatest players,” he said.

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri May 09, 2025 9:53 am DHL Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Ben Loader, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Vernon Matongo.
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Louw Nel, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Dan du Plessis, 23 Suleiman Hartzenberg.


100 for Damian Willemse

Dobson added that Willemse has shown that he is a one-of-a-kind talent.

“I don’t think Damian always gets the recognition that he deserves for what he brings to our team. This is someone who has proven himself at the highest level and would walk into any team in the world.

“You will not find a more professional player, but what really stands out is his commitment and loyalty. It means so much for him to represent this team and our supporters, so this is a big moment in the career of one of our greatest players,” he said.

assfly wrote: Sat May 10, 2025 10:17 am Nice bonus point win, but fucks sake we make hard work of it. X
We really are playing some turgid rugby this season. It beggars belief how we are so high in the table.