History repeats itself?

On Saturday the Sharks will take on the Stormers at Newlands after they beat the last year champions the Reds. The Sharks will be boosted by their recent run of form and will be confident going to Cape Town. They will however have a few injury setbacks as fullback Patrick Lambie looks doubtful for the encounter as well as Paul Jordaan. Louis Ludik has been in good form in his absence at fullback. He is, in my opinion the weak link in the Sharks line up, costing them a try last week against the Reds, he is shaky on defense and the Stormers will look to attack his channel. Especially with their inside runs using Juan de Jongh and Gio Aplon to great effect. Without Lambie’s vision and safety at the back this may be the key to a Stormers win.

The Stormers may be in luck with Duane Vermeulen 75% fit and a possible starter for them. This will bolster their pack, especially against the physical pack of the Sharks. The Stormers will also have Eben Etzebeth back from injury. Their team will be significantly better than the last time they faced the Sharks at the end of May. All players seem to fit and ready to go. Will their tag as ‘chokers’ hold strong or will their mix of youth and experience put up their hands and beat the voodoo. The Stormers lost last year’s Currie Cup final to the Sharks where Lambie was the difference between the 2 teams.

This time however they will be without Lambie. The Sharks main advantage would be Fredrik Michilak, the Frenchman who has been the difference in games between the 2 teams in the past. The Stormers however will have Joe Pieterson, Sia Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and hopefully Duane Vermeulen back, who were absent when the teams met at the end of May. Many said that the loss of Pieterson was the reason for the team losing. Peter Grant has been in fine form despite not being chosen for the Springbok team, a great battle between him and Michilak might be the difference between winning and losing. In my opinion it will be the team that pitches up on the day and wants it more that will take the win