The Vodacom Cup gets under way this weekend, with the Sharks XV hosting Border in their opening clash, at 18h00 on Friday. For coach Sean Everitt and his team, it will be a superb opportunity to show that the next tier of rugby in KZN is alive and well.
While the Super 14 Sharks have stuttered to two unfortunate losses since starting their campaign a fortnight ago, the shadow Vodacom Cup squad have racked up two impressive victories in the same period and appear to be in fine form, despite the late “disruption” caused by some unexpected cuts from the the Sharks tour party.
If anything, Everett’s main challenge will be to integrate the four returning players who up until a week or so ago looked set to be on the Sharks antipodean tour. Managing the expectations of these guys, who are obviously all very disappointed at missing out, without disrupting the morale of what is already a pretty settled team, will be difficult indeed, but if there’s one man in the current KZN rugby setup who has a proven track record for man management, it is the likeable former Rovers head coach.
Looking at the likely team for the opening clash, it should be a very strong outfit by Vodacom Cup standards. Pat Cilliers is an Emerging Springbok, while Alistair Hargreaves has gone one better and played for the Bok midweek side. The other three members of the tight five, Kyle Cooper, Wiehahn Herbst and Jandre Marais have all represented South Africa at age-group level. The loose forwards are all pretty big and powerful, perfect for the new counter-rucking game – Justin Downey should wear the number 6 jersey, with Lambert Groenewald and another Baby Bok, Luvuyiso Lusaseni at blindside and number 8 respectively.
Charl McLeod and Monty Dumond formed an effective and exciting halfback combination for the Sharks for large portions of last year’s Currie Cup season and the pair should expect to be reunited in the Sharks XV on Friday, with another stalwart, Andries Strauss, completing a hugely experienced attacking axis. Jean Stemmet, an off-season signing from Maties, whom he represented in last year’s Varsity Cup should be at outside centre, while Zuks Vulindlu and try machine Mark Richards will join fullback Chris Jordaan in a pacey back three.
The depth in the squad is such that there should be a strong bench too, including the likes of Mike Rhodes, Skollie Ndlovu, Ross Cronjé and exciting young centre Jerome Pretorius.
Probable Sharks XV:
1 Pat Cilliers, 2 Kyle Cooper, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 4 Jandre Marais, 5 Alistair Hargreaves, 6 Justin Downey, 7 Lambert Groenwald, 8 Luvuyiso Lusaseni, 9 Charl McLeod, 10 Monty Dumond, 11 Mark Richards, 12 Andries Strauss (capt), 13 Jean Stemmet, 14 Luzuko Vulindlu, 15 Chris Jordaan.
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sharks should be a bit bolder imo….some real good talent here.
good talent yes but we need a win not just on paper
This VC side is a very good one. It’s the perfect opportunity for the guys who are staying at home to show why they should have gone on tour with the Sharks.
Especially important is that Charl and Monty get game time together, because they are a good pairing with an understanding of each other.
Not Louis Ludik at 15?
Hope the game is televised . . .
I need to see a sharks win again. It`s been what . . . 5 months since I saw something like that.
Is LL fit to play yet?
Bloody good team!Caught the second half of the warm up aginst the cheetahs on friday before the @14 nightmare and the guys look good. Some real talent in there.
@Baldrick (Comment 4) : not according to my source. Starting to sound like there might still be a little discomfort. Wasn’t he meant to be on the plane?
Guys I want to take this moment to remind all of our Sharks fans to send their messages of support through. The sooner you send your message through the better, we want to get them through to the team ASAP
@war1 (Comment 8) : will do so right away was just busy got sick gran son sorry,
@Charmaine (Comment 9) : tell all your sharks supporter friends, this will mean alot to the guys!
@war1 (Comment 10) : okay will do so
@Charmaine (Comment 11) : funny you should ask that
@robdylan (Comment 13) : jokes only joking need a bit of fun somehow
@war1 (Comment 10) : well i done my thing and it came out of my heart edit where you feel you must and e-mail be back and tell me what you think
GO SHARKS GO
war1 sent my usersname i was to quick and well sent another with my usersname
@robdylan (Comment 13) : well when war1 wanted messages i went straight to the e-mail and sent mine without reading the post again thats why i ask but thanks Rob you are great
@Charmaine (Comment 17) : i try
@robdylan (Comment 18) : i’ve never been on any site but the one of the sharks for personal reasons, so when i do get a chance i go on the site and i feel its great it gives me some time on my own and well to get to know the game and the people comments better still a rookie but trying to learn alot but still think it is a great site well done from my part
Is the VC on Supersport aswell, want to watch our juniors kick ass
@Jarson’s (X + V) (Comment 20) : not this game… but everyone in Durbs must go and watch it live, of course!
ok – just had it confirmed. Ludik WILL be at 15, with Jordaan on the bench.
@robdylan (Comment 22) : Sharks team announced
WELL CHARLIE TELL US PLEASEEEEE
@Charmaine (Comment 24) : Let’s wait for Rob to put up the article
@Charlie (Comment 25) : okay
@Charlie (Comment 25) : my man war1 is on it
@robdylan (Comment 27) :
Rob come on can’t wait to c our winning team but for that matter they are all winning guys arn’t they