$hark$ 2023 and beyond

[assfly]

Without stating the obvious, it's a fair position for the $harks to finish in. If anything, we're a bit lucky to sneak into the quarters, but that will come to a swift end next weekend.

Looking back, we had a good start. Even our loss against Leinster in October was heroic. But that loss against Cardiff at home was the worst game I've seen us play in years, and it was clear we were not in for a good season. Then losses against Ulsters, Stormers and Scarlets hurt us too (when we really could have done with our Boks).

There will be lots of time to unpack, but my immediate thought is how many of our big signings didn't really fire.

[handyman]

Director of rugby Neil Powell expects Springbok enforcer Eben Etzebeth to miss the remainder of the Sharks’ 2023 season as his shoulder injury is worse than first reported.

Perhaps a chance for RG at the Boks?

RG will walk into the Bok team. He is a freak.

Agreed. He is a natural. Very sad to see injuries playing such a big role in his career. Hopefully the worst is behind him now.

[LoveOfTheGame]

Perhaps a chance for RG at the Boks?

RG will walk into the Bok team. He is a freak.

Agreed. He is a natural. Very sad to see injuries playing such a big role in his career. Hopefully the worst is behind him now.

Eben will be back for the RC. How is Lood going, is he still recovering? A lock combo of Eben and RG gives me a semi, not going to lie.

[Sards]

Have to say, it may be a blessing in disguise not qualifying for the champions cup next season.

With so many player changes (which won't be for better quality) and a new coach, the back and forth trips to Europe as a lower seed in pools probably won't be helpful.

Might see more long term benefit in a season in lower tier comp, getting some consistency in combinations and planning

But does of course hurt player retention/acquisition prospects in the short term.

I haven't been impressed with all the Marquese signings.
Eben hardly played....3 games I think.
Carlu has not impressed at all. He couldn't get any dominance against Munster.

We need to relook at this and plan better next season. In the very very unliklihood that we win the URC we will be in the Championship Cup next year but lets just ignore that for now.

I find it amusing that the Leinstermen are so afraid of the Sharks in the playoff.....bitching like old women about finishing top and having to play the 8th positioned Sharks.

We have signed another flyhalf from Free State........our stocks are fairly full there .
I am not sure Fassi was a good keep. He was dismal on the weekend. Seems to have lost his MOJO completely. I am sweating over Bosch........

We need some more front row bulk. Desperately.

I would enjoy a season in the lower leauge...we could basically send our CC side

[assfly]

I haven't been impressed with all the Marquese signings.
Eben hardly played....3 games I think.
Carlu has not impressed at all. He couldn't get any dominance against Munster.

We need to relook at this and plan better next season. In the very very unliklihood that we win the URC we will be in the Championship Cup next year but lets just ignore that for now.

I find it amusing that the Leinstermen are so afraid of the Sharks in the playoff.....bitching like old women about finishing top and having to play the 8th positioned Sharks.

We have signed another flyhalf from Free State........our stocks are fairly full there .
I am not sure Fassi was a good keep. He was dismal on the weekend. Seems to have lost his MOJO completely. I am sweating over Bosch........

We need some more front row bulk. Desperately.

I would enjoy a season in the lower leauge...we could basically send our CC side

Fassi showed some good touches when he came on, but also some rustiness from lack of game time. Some Currie Cup will do him good.

Am is also slowly getting back to where he should be, but it's taking a while.

I quite like Sadie, he was a bit unlucky with some calls on Saturday.

The one that really disappoints me is Vincent Tshituka. I can't think of one memorable performance from him.

I think being a world cup year hasn't helped us. With Bok players being rested and players already thinking of their new contracts after the RWC.

[handyman]

RG will walk into the Bok team. He is a freak.

Agreed. He is a natural. Very sad to see injuries playing such a big role in his career. Hopefully the worst is behind him now.

Eben will be back for the RC. How is Lood going, is he still recovering? A lock combo of Eben and RG gives me a semi, not going to lie.

Yes, but I'm not sure if Etzebeth will be ready for a 80 minute game by then.

Etzebeth, de Jager, Snyman and Mostert, there is no other country that can compete with that quality.

[OomStruisbaai]

Have to say, it may be a blessing in disguise not qualifying for the champions cup next season.

With so many player changes (which won't be for better quality) and a new coach, the back and forth trips to Europe as a lower seed in pools probably won't be helpful.

Might see more long term benefit in a season in lower tier comp, getting some consistency in combinations and planning

But does of course hurt player retention/acquisition prospects in the short term.

I haven't been impressed with all the Marquese signings.
Eben hardly played....3 games I think.
Carlu has not impressed at all. He couldn't get any dominance against Munster.

We need to relook at this and plan better next season. In the very very unliklihood that we win the URC we will be in the Championship Cup next year but lets just ignore that for now.

I find it amusing that the Leinstermen are so afraid of the Sharks in the playoff.....bitching like old women about finishing top and having to play the 8th positioned Sharks.

We have signed another flyhalf from Free State........our stocks are fairly full there .
I am not sure Fassi was a good keep. He was dismal on the weekend. Seems to have lost his MOJO completely. I am sweating over Bosch........

We need some more front row bulk. Desperately.

I would enjoy a season in the lower leauge...we could basically send our CC side

I cant believe you accept this so easily. Usually you want the coach fired.

[FalseBayFC]

I'm pretty depressed about the way this season has gone. I thought guys like Francois Venter, RJVR and Tshituka have been pretty underwhelming. I'm optimistic about the future though. There are some very talented youngsters and many of them home grown. u20s won the championship too.

[fishfoodie]

Are Sharks fans really tearing out their hair over a season where the difference between, success & failure was one game you drew, & didn't win ?

Because that's what it was, a penalty not conceded, a decision to go for goal, or not etc etc, small margins.

[assfly]

Are Sharks fans really tearing out their hair over a season where the difference between, success & failure was one game you drew, & didn't win ?

Because that's what it was, a penalty not conceded, a decision to go for goal, or not etc etc, small margins.

Ja, true. At least we snuck into the knock-outs too.

[TheNatalShark]

Are Sharks fans really tearing out their hair over a season where the difference between, success & failure was one game you drew, & didn't win ?

Because that's what it was, a penalty not conceded, a decision to go for goal, or not etc etc, small margins.

Ja, true. At least we snuck into the knock-outs too.

More concerned about what is happening going forward, past is past and an extra win or two wouldn't have changed mind much I think. Not quite hair tearing, but this is now the point where the big signings are off so how the owners continue from here is more important than seasons prior. Do they lose interest?

[assfly]

More concerned about what is happening going forward, past is past and an extra win or two wouldn't have changed mind much I think. Not quite hair tearing, but this is now the point where the big signings are off so how the owners continue from here is more important than seasons prior. Do they lose interest?

I think where we fucked up was with coaching and management. Everitt was never in the $harks long-term plans, and getting rid of him mid-season didn't help anyone. We really should have had a new coach appointed much sooner, and let Powell get on with his DOR stuff. We've lot a year thanks to this, and being a world cup cycle means that our squad will most likely be weaker for the 23-24 season.

[Sards]

Have to say, it may be a blessing in disguise not qualifying for the champions cup next season.

With so many player changes (which won't be for better quality) and a new coach, the back and forth trips to Europe as a lower seed in pools probably won't be helpful.

Might see more long term benefit in a season in lower tier comp, getting some consistency in combinations and planning

But does of course hurt player retention/acquisition prospects in the short term.

I haven't been impressed with all the Marquese signings.
Eben hardly played....3 games I think.
Carlu has not impressed at all. He couldn't get any dominance against Munster.

We need to relook at this and plan better next season. In the very very unliklihood that we win the URC we will be in the Championship Cup next year but lets just ignore that for now.

I find it amusing that the Leinstermen are so afraid of the Sharks in the playoff.....bitching like old women about finishing top and having to play the 8th positioned Sharks.

We have signed another flyhalf from Free State........our stocks are fairly full there .
I am not sure Fassi was a good keep. He was dismal on the weekend. Seems to have lost his MOJO completely. I am sweating over Bosch........

We need some more front row bulk. Desperately.

I would enjoy a season in the lower leauge...we could basically send our CC side

I cant believe you accept this so easily. Usually you want the coach fired.

Don't be a Plum.....

In Plum we trust

[OomStruisbaai]

I haven't been impressed with all the Marquese signings.
Eben hardly played....3 games I think.
Carlu has not impressed at all. He couldn't get any dominance against Munster.

We need to relook at this and plan better next season. In the very very unliklihood that we win the URC we will be in the Championship Cup next year but lets just ignore that for now.

I find it amusing that the Leinstermen are so afraid of the Sharks in the playoff.....bitching like old women about finishing top and having to play the 8th positioned Sharks.

We have signed another flyhalf from Free State........our stocks are fairly full there .
I am not sure Fassi was a good keep. He was dismal on the weekend. Seems to have lost his MOJO completely. I am sweating over Bosch........

We need some more front row bulk. Desperately.

I would enjoy a season in the lower leauge...we could basically send our CC side

I cant believe you accept this so easily. Usually you want the coach fired.

Don't be a Plum.....

In Plum we trust

You keep telling the Stormer supporters they accept under performance from coaches and players. Wat nou?

[Sards]

Hey. Memories are short. Before two very influential players in Manie and joined the Stormers they were in kak. Dobson was blaming his team for their poor performances. The Stormers were everyone's plaything and shipping 60 against the Kiwis in Superrugby. The team was unhappy. Then suddenly the attack from 15 sparked an attacking mindset that absolutely suited Libbok. And a team was built around that.
Do not forget how we were wondering how that voknut could slate his team in the press and still hold the changeroom

[LoveOfTheGame]

Hey. Memories are short. Before two very influential players in Manie and joined the Stormers they were in kak. Dobson was blaming his team for their poor performances. The Stormers were everyone's plaything and shipping 60 against the Kiwis in Superrugby. The team was unhappy. Then suddenly the attack from 15 sparked an attacking mindset that absolutely suited Libbok. And a team was built around that.
Do not forget how we were wondering how that voknut could slate his team in the press and still hold the changeroom

He's done alright I think, don't be nasty. Focus your anger rather on the utter disappointment of your team's season.

[Sards]

He's done alright I think, don't be nasty. Focus your anger rather on the utter disappointment of your team's season.

Been keeping an eye on contacts being handed out. Doing their best to keep the up and coming youth.
Now we just need to keep those grubby paws of our opposition off our players. The poaching is sickening.

[Chilli]

He's done alright I think, don't be nasty. Focus your anger rather on the utter disappointment of your team's season.

Been keeping an eye on contacts being handed out. Doing their best to keep the up and coming youth.
Now we just need to keep those grubby paws of our opposition off our players. The poaching is sickening.

How do you feel about the Cheetahs flyhalf being signed by the $harks?

[Sards]

He's done alright I think, don't be nasty. Focus your anger rather on the utter disappointment of your team's season.

Been keeping an eye on contacts being handed out. Doing their best to keep the up and coming youth.
Now we just need to keep those grubby paws of our opposition off our players. The poaching is sickening.

How do you feel about the Cheetahs flyhalf being signed by the $harks?

Haven't taken much notice of him. Remember being impressed one game. Will definitely keep an eye now.

[Chilli]

Been keeping an eye on contacts being handed out. Doing their best to keep the up and coming youth.
Now we just need to keep those grubby paws of our opposition off our players. The poaching is sickening.

How do you feel about the Cheetahs flyhalf being signed by the $harks?

Haven't taken much notice of him. Remember being impressed one game. Will definitely keep an eye now.

Just another sickening poach?

[LoveOfTheGame]

How do you feel about the Cheetahs flyhalf being signed by the $harks?

Haven't taken much notice of him. Remember being impressed one game. Will definitely keep an eye now.

Just another sickening poach?

[FalseBayFC]

Haven't taken much notice of him. Remember being impressed one game. Will definitely keep an eye now.

Just another sickening poach?

He's pretty useful. He is KZN born and raised of course, in Paulpietersberg. Went to school across the border in Piet Retief. Verdict: not a poach.

[average joe]

Have you learned nothing. Once he set his small toe on Freestate soil he became a Vrystaater.

Anyways, when poaching was still a thing way back when. Natal was one of the teams with the worst reputations. They used to come to our schools and bribe our poor innocent farm boys with pictures of the beach and banana breads.

[assfly]

They used to come to our schools and bribe our poor innocent farm boys with pictures of the beach and banana breads.

[FalseBayFC]

Free State poached many of their top players. Ollie le Roux, Frans Steyn, Os du Randt, Rassie Erasmus, PO - Eastern Cape. Andre Joubert, Henri Honiball. Brendan Venter - Transvaal. Jaco Reinach - Western Province.

[SaintK]

Wrong thread

[Chilli]

Free State poached many of their top players.
Ollie le Roux, Grey College
Frans Steyn, Grey College
Os du Randt, Bloemfontein Technicon
Rassie Erasmus, UOFS
Andre Joubert, UOFS
Henri Honiball UOFS
Brendan Venter UOFS
Transvaal. Jaco Reinach

They came to Bloemfontein to be educated. That is hardly a poach.

[average joe]

Free State poached many of their top players. Ollie le Roux, Frans Steyn, Os du Randt, Rassie Erasmus, PO - Eastern Cape. Andre Joubert, Henri Honiball. Brendan Venter - Transvaal. Jaco Reinach - Western Province.

Ja and the Freestate lured these great men to their province with promises of great riches and easy woman but all they got was mielie pap and staunch NG kerk tannies.

[Sandstorm]

Tannies maak lekker vetkoek. Check out what happened to Frans!!

[average joe]

"Vet koek is lekker koek" We poached them like one would poach an egg I tells ya. Meanwhile Natal backed by wealthy local business owners offered them nothing. They went there of their own accord because "ons gaan seeee toe"

[Chilli]

"Vet koek is lekker koek" We poached them like one would poach an egg I tells ya. Meanwhile Natal backed by wealthy local business owners offered them nothing. They went there of their own accord because "ons gaan seeee toe"

Ag please Daddy, won't you take us down to Durban.

[OomStruisbaai]

"Vet koek is lekker koek" We poached them like one would poach an egg I tells ya. Meanwhile Natal backed by wealthy local business owners offered them nothing. They went there of their own accord because "ons gaan seeee toe"

Ag please Daddy, won't you take us down to Durban.

Vrystaat se koeksisters is soet, KZN het net sout tert.

[Sards]

Have you learned nothing. Once he set his small toe on Freestate soil he became a Vrystaater.

Anyways, when poaching was still a thing way back when. Natal was one of the teams with the worst reputations. They used to come to our schools and bribe our poor innocent farm boys with pictures of the beach and banana breads.

Now it's the Stormers. Poaching vokkers of players that made their name at the Sharks. Tried Bosch tried Fassi. Got Ruan, Libbok, Roos...now trying Willie. Develop your own youth vokkers......


Oh , wait....WP won the U20s.....

[Sards]

Sharks confirming signings for the next 2 years...

Mchunu, Ox , Notshe, Bosch, Marnus, James...nailed in till 2025

Solid foundation.

Best part. Not current Springboks except Ox. So more likely available


Just waiting for the next confirmation. Hope it's a big one....like Plumtree.....currently pending....they are teasing us

[OomStruisbaai]

Players want to play in the top leagues. Expect more to pack up and pull out, wait there is is still a chance.

[average joe]

Anyone accusing other teams today of poaching is vol kak. It's a profession like any other trade now. Players have agents whose job it is to find them the best deal. They will go where it suits them best. If you want to keep them, you need to make it acceptable to stay.

[LoveOfTheGame]

Sharks confirming signings for the next 2 years...

Mchunu, Ox , Notshe, Bosch, Marnus, James...nailed in till 2025

Solid foundation.

Best part. Not current Springboks except Ox. So more likely available


Just waiting for the next confirmation. Hope it's a big one....like Plumtree.....currently pending....they are teasing us

Solid Currie Cup backbone that, you should be chuffed. Who did you sign for the HC next year? Oh, yes wait sorry.

[Sards]

Bongi signed on the dotted line. Fantastic

[Sards]

Sharks confirming signings for the neùxt 2 years...

Mchunu, Ox , Notshe, Bosch, Marnus, James...nailed in till 2025

Solid foundation.

Best part. Not current Springboks except Ox. So more likely available


Just waiting for the next confirmation. Hope it's a big one....like Plumtree.....currently pending....they are teasing us

Solid Currie Cup backbone that, you should be chuffed. Who did you sign for the HC next year? Oh, yes wait sorry.

Maybe James. He's captain there. The rest are great signings. And now Bongi.

You guys are bidding farewell to Kitshoff this weekend. Aye aye aye........

[Sards]

I see Vrystaat has signed Abner van reenen. Returning from France.

Replacing Siya Masuka who is off to the Sharks as a flyhalf backup.