robdylan

Plumtree picks unusual combination for Cheetahs game

29 Jul 10 14:14 by robdylan | Currie Cup, Original Content, Sharks | 178 Comments
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The Sharks side named to face the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein this weekend contains some strange selections to say the least. With both Willem Alberts and Jean Deysel named on the bench, the stating loose forward combination has an incredibly lightweight look to it and it’s an area the Cheetahs pack will look to exploit in the first half.

The tight five has been left mostly intact after last week’s game, with the exception of Alistair Hargreaves, who misses out altogether after injuring his calf. Ross Skeate comes in to the number 5 jersey to partner Steven Sykes, while no lock forward replacement has been named. Alberts will presumably be pressed into service in the second row if required, but exactly what the reasoning for that is, is unclear. Ryan Kankowski comes straight back in at number 8, while Keegan Daniel’s reward for some superb performances at the back of the scrum is a move to the unfamiliar blindside flank position; one where he has always struggled.

Beast Mtawarira comes back into the squad in the number 17 jersey and will be one of three front-rankers on the wood, as both Eugene van Staden and Kyle Cooper are also retained.

The backline looks a lot more familiar, with Steve Meyer back at flyhalf and Monty Dumond falling out of the squad entirely. Ruan Pienaar will cover both halfback position from the bench, meaning that Rory Kockott also drops out, with Andries Strauss the only other back on the bench.

There is no sign of either of the du Plessis brothers, or Odwa Ndungane. I’m sorry, but I simply don’t buy this team. I’m convinced that it’s a ruse and will be changed shortly before kick-off.

Sharks v Cheetahs:

15. Louis Ludik
14. JP Pietersen
13. Stefan Terblanche (Capt)
12. Patrick Lambie
11. Lwazi Mvovo
10. Steve Meyer
9. Charl McLeod
8. Ryan Kankowski
7. Keegan Daniel
6. Jacques Botes
5. Ross Skeate
4. Steven Sykes
3. Wiehahn Herbst
2. Craig Burden
1. Patric Cilliers

Replacements
16. Kyle Cooper
17. Tendai Mtawarira
18. Eugene van Staden
19. Willem Alberts
20. Jean Deysel
21. Ruan Pienaar
22. Andries Strauss

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