Sharks quest for crowds
Western Province drew 32 000 to Newlands for their semi-final last week and charged more for tickets than the Sharks did.
It must be noted that it was cloudy and cold by Durban standards for the showdown between the Sharks and Toyota Free State Cheetahs last Saturday.
However, the attendance for the semi-final was poor by any measure.
Sharks CEO, John Smit, even sent a tweet just before kickoff to alert fans that it was not raining at Growthpoint Kings Park.
So why are fans no longer attending Sharks games in large numbers?
Have some made their way to places like Auckland, Vancouver and Brisbane?
Can we point a finger at the economy or is it HD television that has fans preferring their sofa to a stadium seat?
Of course, one could also highlight the tragic death after a Sharks game earlier this season...
I suspect all these factors have played a role, but clearly Province are still getting considerable support at Newlands.
I think what is clear is that the Sharks are determined to stop the slide and get fans back to the Shark Tank.
John Smit strikes me as a dynamic man committed to drawing spectators (both old and new) to Sharks games.
Allowing women in free on a public holiday celebrating their contribution to our country was a pretty sharp idea and perhaps a sign of things to come under the former Springbok captain.
The quest for new fans may also see the Sharks reaching out to the likes of Amazulu.
The Springboks and Bafana played on the same day at the same venue earlier this year and it may well make sense to have such double-headers here in Durban.
Imagine the crowd for Sharks v Bulls and Amazulu v Chiefs at Moses Mabhida or Growthpoint Kings Park on a Saturday...
Finally, I guess a trophy may also help to convince fans to return to Sharks games.
The Sharks have been superb in reaching several finals over the past few seasons, but silverware has eluded them since 2010.
The recent appointment of Jake White - a World Cup winner - may just have the desired effect.
White has also spoken of the need to involve schools and junior structures in the Sharks philosophy.
One hopes that his proposed networking will also bear dividends in the quest for supporters at Sharks games.
The Sharks will play their first home game of 2014 on 15 February.
That is when they will host the Bulls in a Vodacom SupeRugby fixture.
I can remember regular crowds of 30 000 to 33 000 for SupeRugby games in Durban a few seasons back...
Feel free to share your views with me.
Twitter - @SportswaveAndre