Storm not over for Sharks

The Sharks face a must-win situation when they meet the Stormers in the final-round Super 15 match at Newlands tomorrow to have a hope of securing a home semifinal.

It's a scenario that is not unusual in this competition and it's also likely that the Stormers, with nothing to play for, could upset the Sharks' plans and in the process scupper any realistic hope of a South African champion.

To win the title, a home semifinal is vital, but no country undermines its title contenders quite like South Africa. Teams at the bottom end of the table have often beaten play-off contenders at crucial times, with costly consequences.

The Stormers' 21-19 win over the Sharks in Durban in late May blew a hole in the Sharks' run for a home semi. Tomorrow they could sink those hopes completely.

Why don't struggling SA teams take it easier on their better-placed compatriots? "For South African players it's simple - it's about pride," Stormers captain Schalk Burger said.

"We are proud players and there is a lot of history underpinning these matches. The concept of local derbies in SA comes a long way.

"Without being too political about it, the inter-provincial battles became more intense and more important during the isolation years of rugby. It was all the players had and it became entrenched.

"Those provincial rivalries have never completely died in the post-isolation era. They are still there which adds to the intensity."

Burger accepts that a Stormers win could upset the Sharks' title hopes.

"You won't see us running around celebrating wildly if we beat the Sharks and rubbing it in. We want to win, not because we'd deny the Sharks but because it would be great for our franchise."

The current Super 15 system has also bred a situation where SA teams in particular can hurt each other more both physically and on the league table.

"There are so many derbies and I can tell you the players aren't huge fans of them," Burger said.

"Three years ago we played the Sharks seven times in the course of the season [Super rugby and Currie Cup] and every contest was physically difficult.

"Because we won in Durban this year the Sharks will be hell-bent on revenge and that will add to the physicality of the contest. There is an edge and intensity in these derbies . I can certainly feel it in contact - it's definitely harder.

"It's not an ideal position for the Sharks to be in, to come down here and beat us. But let's get one thing straight - they have been the best SA team by some distance this year and deserve to be in a fight for a home semifinal."

The Bulls take on the Rebels tonight and the Lions tackle the Cheetahs tomorrow in games that mean very little in the big scheme of things.