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Young lock forward Anton Bresler will feature for the Sharks against Griquas this Friday in one of a number of enforced changes to the side that won so well against Western Province last weekend.
Regular second-row replacement Ross Skeate has apparently sustained an injury in the gym that will keep him on the sidelines this weekend, meaning a return to the squad for Bresler, who hasn’t featured since gaining his maiden cap against the self-same opponents in the first round.
Mike Rhodes will also come into the squad as a replacement for Ryan Kankowski, who has been called up to the Bok squad. Expect a change at fullback as well, with Louis Ludik likely to miss out after a nasty head knock against Province.
We’ll confirm these changes as soon as the team is announced later today.
I see the Bulls and Lions’ squad has also been released. All these changes are going to screw up my FL again.
I’m glad for Rhodes and Bresler though. Go Sharkboys
I think this is a great opportunity for someone like Bresler to gain some experience – and ‘nogal’ in a game that is has the potential to make up for a first round disaster…
It’s a real pity about Ludik’s knock, he was just staring to build up some momentum, though one week out shouldn’t halter his resurgence too much; in the meantime it allows for us to try exciting young Mark Richards at fullback.
We don’t lose much with this youngster stepping up; like Rhodes, he has plenty of ability and its good that they get some game-time and a chance to show what they can do.
Big bonus is that they are both home-grown talent.
The youngsters do need the ‘big’ experience. Not only playing club rugby. Will definitely give them confidence in themselves and their game. Couple of talented youngsters around. Very happy for (especially) BRESLER and Rhodes
I would like to know why supersport stopped broadcasting all the games. If they don’t want to broadcast it live then at least show it some time during the week.
The live game are repeated about 5 or even more times, why can’t they just show the games that did not air during these time slots.
And since Boots & All always has some footage about these games, I’m assuming that they do record it.
What’s going on with Mostert? Is he still in the picture?
You are right. There are people who want to watch all the games. Maybe because Supersport thinks its not worth it to broadcast the game. They must catch a wake-up!!!
Bresler has looked impressive in the few games I have watched him play from u19 days… Looks like one of the future. His nose reminds me of a shark fin! A true Shark
I thought Ludik might be able to play?!
In all honesty, I would not mind if he got a break to make sure he is 100%..
@Pokkel (Comment 7) : Mostert, as far as I know is still out injured. Great buy by Rudolph! He must be the highest paid Shark this season if you look at game time!
I have been very impressed with Bresler for the U/21′s. Both Bresler and Jandre Marais in fact, both our locks have been huge in this comp.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 10) : Yip, agree. If in doubt rest the bugger. Griquas will be tough though… Reckon Stef to 15 and Lindeque in at 13 would be nice to see but think Plum may opt for Strauss at 13, Swannie at 12 and Stef at the back.
Whatever happened to Petoors joining the squad? I assume he never made the cut fitness wise?
@frikkie se broer (Comment 12) : I think both Marais brothers are playing u21′s at the moment.. Bresler was playing Vodacom Cup earlier in the season. I think he is over 21 now.
@Oubaas2009 (Comment 13) :
Im not even sure if Strauss is fit? Im sure he did his shoulder or arm in some way..
@frikkie se broer (Comment 14) : He has already played 80mins for one of the club sides without incident.
@Oubaas2009 (Comment 15) :
Correct, the Marias brothers have been the locks for the U21′s so far.. Both of them look very good!
I like the look of our U21 squad, it gives me a lot of hope for the future.. Those guys, if managed well, can dominate local rugby!
@Jarson (Comment 17) :
I think he is now just getting himself match fit..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 19) :
If he is fit, imagine if we could have Pretorius at flyhalf and Lambie learning the trade from the master at inside centre..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 20) :
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 18) : Absolutely, we have the makings of a great side there in the u21′s.. Throw in some other young guys like Mvovo, Lambie, Hargreaves, JPP, Beast and the like and we are looking good for the future.
I dont rate Pretorius at all, maybe all of his injury woes has clouded my judgement.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 20) : Sounds like somthing I said earlier in the week ….
@Oubaas2009 (Comment 22) :
I just hope they all stick around!!
@King Deysel (Comment 24) :
I know I heard it somewhere, and I do agree with it!!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 26) : Just not sure what Plum is going to do at the back , hope Strauss is fit so Stef can move to 15 !
A couple of years from now we could be looking at something like this… All these guys are under 26.
15. Ludick
14. JPP
13. Lindeque
12. Bosman/ Swannie/ Jenner
11. Mvovo/ Richards
10. Lambie / G.Cronje
9. R.Cronje/ Reinach
8. Alberts / Kanko/ Lusaseni
7. Deysel/ Rhodes
6. Daniel/ Downney/ Otto
5. Hargreaves/ Marais
4. Sykes/ Bresler/ Marais
3. Herbst/Redlinghuys
2. Bismark/ Cooper/ Burden
1. Beast/ Cilliers/ Chadwick
@Oubaas2009 (Comment 28) :
Thats pretty formidable.. Even right now that team will go close to most Currie Cup teams..
@Oubaas2009 (Comment 28) : You forgot Hoffmann at 9
@Pokkel (Comment 7) :
I just read now that Mostert is playing club rugby..
Thats great news as he can come back within 2 weeks or so..
“Andries Strauss is looking better, he has fluid on the AC joint, but no tear which is fortunate and he could make the weekend,” explains Plumtree.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 29) : Agreed. Interesting to see who captains this lot.. Harg’s probably, I would think.
And we might be able to throw Mapoe in there too, if ‘Dolf gets his way..
If I was ‘Dolf for next season I would be looking for a fullback and possibly a 13. Or someone who can play both… How about signing James O’Connor just for giggles…
@Original Log Leader (Comment 30) : Oh yes! Connie Hoffman! I know he’s played a bit of 15 as well..and 10.. the next Ruan Woods.
@Oubaas2009 (Comment 33) :
I actually dont think we need to buy anobody with this lot coming through..
Fullback’s we are covered, I cant think of their names now.. let me check quickly..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 35) :
Jaco van Tonder at the U19′s is a decent looking fellow, and the U21 Wynand Pienaar also looked solid against WP. I think fullback should be covered..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 32) : Great news , so Stef to 15 and Strauss and Swannies to hold the midfield this week . By no means ideal but will do the job for this week and hopefully 5 points in the bag . Ideal time to bring one of the U 21′s up to provide cover off the bench with Monty .
@Oubaas2009 (Comment 28) :
You left out the running machines we have in Mthembu and Ojiambo.. both those guys are fantastically built in the Spies mould..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 36) : Yeah, don’t know much about Van Tonder. But that name disqualifies him from becoming a Sharks legend. We must sell him to the Bulls.
Pienaar has looked solid in the few games I have seen him..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 38) : Jeepers, yes! Like both those guys too… And throw in Okafor too.
Ojiambo!! He is a big unit!
@Oubaas2009 (Comment 39) :
Van Tonder played a hell of a game against WP U19′s even though they got beat..
@Oubaas2009 (Comment 40) :
Those guys, should they stay fit and at the Sharks, should be pushing for positions come next year Currie Cup time, maybe a year after that.. come 2012..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 41) : Good to hear.
@Oubaas2009 (Comment 43) :
Here are some interesting stats on the U21′s so far this season.
They have played 6 games, losing just 1.
They have scored the most points in the competition, even more than the Bulls who have played an extra game.
They have conceded the least amounts of points.
They have scored the most tries in the competition, and to top it off, have conceded the least amount of tries.
I was surprised at the lack of size of our u/21 loosies on the weekend, both Jaco Otto and Dunlop were not very big. They both have a lot of speed tho and were all over the park especially Otto. One thinks that they will need to bulk up a bit tho to hack it at Currie cup. Even I feel Mthembu isn’t that big although he was very successful in taking the ball up, made some good line breaks.
@frikkie se broer (Comment 45) :
I agree with you all the way.. Otto is a bit small, Dunlop will maybe make it as a Daniel type player, but both need to bulk up.. agreed!
Mthembu is a strong runner, he will be able to fill the Alberts type roll in the team.. if he bulks and is able to keep gis pace, he will be a big threat to the opposition!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 44) :
The U19′s don’t look so flash though.. they have only managed to win 2 out of their 7 games..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 46):
Agree, Mthembu had a strong game on Saturday, very difficult to bring down