SEASON REVIEW: The ultimate chokers
OPINION: It is a moniker that will stay with the Sharks until they eventually win a Super Rugby title. However, they are the most successful team never to have won the competition.
The Sharks have been runners-up five times, including once in the Super 10 and four times in the professional era, losing semifinalists four times and lost in the preliminary play-offs (or quarterfinals) four times.
That is 13 times they have appeared in the knock-out stages in 25 years.
The 2018 season was typical of the Sharks.
They earned bonus points for losing by seven points or less in four of their matches.
However, more significantly, the Sharks was more successful against New Zealand teams than against teams from the South African or Australian franchises.
They won three of their five matches against Kiwi outfits (60 percent), two of their six matches against South African opposition (33 percent) and none of the three encounters with Aussie teams (zero percent).
They lost twice to the Bulls, a team that won only six games and finished 12th.
They drew with the Waratahs in Durban, were given a hiding (40-10) by the Bulls in Durban – but scored 63 points against the Blues in Auckland.
It is those inconsistencies that meant they were never considered real title contenders.
No doubt the Sharks have some world-class talent.
Tendai Mtawarira is a great in the game, not just for the Sharks.
Prop Thomas du Toit (despite a high penalty count) and Armand van der Merwe made the most progress.
However, the bulk of the team were never consistent enough.
Lukhanyo Am and Andre Esterhuizen struggled to live up to the promise they showed in the last year or two.
Robert du Preez was either red hot or just plain rubbish.
The most disappointing of all was captain Ruan Botha – who, along with Du Toit, ranked in the top three for most penalties conceded.
Botha, once considered a Bok candidate, never lived up to the pre-season promise.
The two things the Sharks need to shake off the ultimate chokers tag, are consistency and more depth in key positions.
Perhaps coach Robert du Preez can also work on a bit more variation in their team.
By Jan de Koning
@king365ed
@rugby365com
