The Sharks XV will be up against Western Province in the Vodacom Cup in Empangeni this weekend. Remaining unbeaten for a fourth week will be a tough ask, as the team has been disrupted through injury and call-ups to the Sharks squad.
Inspirational captain Andries Strauss will be out for a few weeks having picked up a concussion in the game against SWD, meaning Rovers flyhalf Andrew Borgen (who made a solitary Currie Cup appearance for the Sharks in 2008) will take over at inside centre. Scrumhalf Charl McLeod will assume the captaincy this week. The other backline change sees Chris Jordaan move from right wing to fullback to replace top point scorer Monty Dumond, who will be on the bench for the Sharks Super 14 team this weekend. Carl Bezuidenhout, another youngster with a solitary Currie Cup cap (gained back in 2006) will take over in the number 14 shirt.
The remainder of the backline is unchanged, with Len Olivier presumably the designated goal-kicker in the number 10 shirt. Ian Adendorff and Lwazi Mvovo continue at outside centre and left wing respectively.
The pack shows far more continuity, with Barra Mthethwa, Craig Burden and young Wiehahn Herbst continuing in the front row. Juandre Marais and Nolan Clark have been impressive in the second row to date, while the loose trio of Nick Claasen, Mike Rhodes and Warren Whiteley also has a settled look to it. There’s an interesting situation among the forward reserves, with no fewer than three players who have recently decided to concentrate on a new position. Sabelo Nhlapo and Nqubeko Zulu, both locks at age-group level, now provide cover at prop and loose-forward respectively. Big Lusaseni Luvuyiso is a flank-cum-lock who seems determined to make the second row his permanent home.
Strauss and Dumond’s places in the squad go to Guy Cronje (Ross’s twin brother) and Danie Dames respectively. Kick-off is at 15h30 on Saturday.
15. Chris Jordaan
14. Carl Bezuidenhout
13. Ian Adendorff
12. Andrew Borgen
11. Lwazi Mvovo
10. Len Olivier
9. Charl McLeod (Captain)
8. Warren Whiteley
7. Michael Rhodes
6. Nick Claasen
5. Nolan Clarke
4. Jandre Marais
3. Wiehahn Herbst
2. Craig Burden
1. Barra Mthethwa
Replacements:
16. Frik Venter
17. Sabelo Nhlapo
18. Lusaseni Luvuyiso
19. Nqebeku Zulu
20. Neil de Bruin
21. Guy Cronje
22. Danie Dames
go Sharks XV, go!
@robdylan (Comment 1) : They only playing Wee Pee….easy!
Say this aint Nic Claasen
Full Name Nicolaas
Surname Claasen
Height 189cm
Weight 85kg
Birth Date 1 April 1988
Birth City Vereeniging
Marital Status Single
Favourite Film Gladiator
Favourite Music All
Favourite Food All
Primary School Oosterkruin Primary
Secondary School Marais Viljoen Hig
Is there stadium in Emapangeni?
@bryce_in_oz (Comment 4) :
There is the Empangeni Rugby Club which has a more than reasonable field with a grandstand that can hold hold a few thousand people.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 5) :
At least KZN are taking rugby to the people… nice one…
Who are the Rhino’s… aren’t they up that way?
@bryce_in_oz (Comment 6) :
Rhinos are Empangeni
@KSA Shark © (Comment 7) :
Aha… remember reading something good about them awhile ago (taking out some much better opposition)… not sure if it was here or elsewhere…
@bryce_in_oz (Comment 8) :
Either way… if they that far up… might as well stop off at the Prawn Shack on Sunday…
@bryce_in_oz (Comment 8) :
Posted by Quinny
http://www.sharksworld.co.za/2008/09/03/rhinos-land-first-silverware/
was at the game +- 3000 people- pretty packed old boys 1stXV played the curtian raiser against rhinos and won – nice ground to play on and good spectator appreciation