It was not what I would call pretty. In fact it was exceptionally disappointing. The fact that this was my first Super 14 game of the year and purely because I have been busy with club commitments.
The fact that a professional rugby team like the Sharks knocked on about 12 times in the first half, besides the forward passes that went along, one cannot understand how a team goes from being the best to being a very ordinary side in the space of 5 weeks.
The fact that my mate Philip Bosch who fortunately has no rugby relationship to that great Springbok Gerald and the bully boy tactic from Craig Joubert trying to fix up his mistake from the week before by not issuing a Red Card and then getting it horrible wrong with a slap and he called it a punch, just added to the crowd's frustration.
All in all, it was a shocker and if the Sharks think that this brand of rugby is going to win them the Super 14 this year, they are in for a horrid nightmare, when they wake up and are not even in the play-offs.
There was some encouraging news, Steyn left the field with an injury and looks set to miss next week's game. Ruan Pienaar was back and looked good and fresh.
Andries Strauss and Riaan Swanepoel linked very well together and it was great to see Jean Deysel back. The Sharks ran out eventual winners 23-15. But at what cost?
If found guilty, the mandatory sentence for a Red Card in 3 weeks and it looks like Kockott has “Roostered it up,” meaning he will miss all games including the Semi Finals.
The young center from the Highlanders, Daniel Bowden has been given a one-game suspension for his dangerous tackle on Riaan Swanepoel.
The Hurricanes were fantastic again this weekend dispatching the Blues 45-27. They must have the best center combination in the Super 14 and don’t be surprised if they are the Blacks combo for the Tri-Nations.
The Lions lost to the Crusaders as that was to be expected as they had just returned home from tour. The Cheetah’s nearly pulled off another win this season but just ran out of options against the Tah’s losing 10-18.
The Brumbies thumped the Reds 52-13 in Brisbane in what was a very one-sided affair. The Western Force almost caused an upset in Pretoria but went down 32-29 to the Bulls, in what was a very entertaining game of rugby.
Then the Stormers had the last game of the weekend and a perfect opportunity to restore some pride and started well enough to go 7-0 up against the Chiefs, but did no South African team any favours by losing 28-14 and handing the Chiefs a forth try bonus point. No wonder Jean De Villiers is thinking of playing overseas next year.
In Heineken Cup Action this weekend, a world record was set for crowd attendance to a club game. 82,208 spectators attending the semi-final between Leinster and defending champions Munster in an all-Irish clash.
Leinster convincingly beat Munster 25-6. In the other Semi final, Leicester drew 26-26 with Cardiff to produce the first ever “Shoot Out” in Heineken Cup history.
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