The Cheetahs will only know tomorrow whether Springbok flank Juan Smith will be available to take on the Sharks on Saturday’s opening Super Rugby game. Smith is struggling with a calf strain and can only be confirmed later in the week whether he will be fit. Philip van der Walt has been pencilled in should Smith not be cleared.
The rest of the team has been announced, with a surprise inclusion of Kabamba Floors at eighthman ahead of Ashley Johnson. The physical Frans Viljoen completes the loose forward trio.
In the backline the Cheetahs have back winger Philip Burger as well as the debut for Andries Strauss after his departure from the Sharks at the end of last season. The Griquas halfback pairing of Sarel Pretorius and Naas Olivier should have the experience about them to get the backline going.
Big names on the bench include Ashley Johnson, Tewis de Bruyn, Kobus Calldo and Riaan Viljoen
Team:
Hennie Daniller, Philip Burger, Robert Ebersohn, Andries Strauss, Ryno Benjamin, Naas Olivier, Sarel Pretorius, Kabamba Floors, Juan Smith (k)/Philip van der Walt, Frans Viljoen, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Francois Uys, WP Nel, Adriaan Strauss, Coenie Oosthuizen.
Subs: Ryno Barnes, Kobus Calldo, Waltie Vermeulen, Ashley Johnson, Tewis de Bruyn, Sias Ebersohn, Riaan Viljoen.
Smith-less Cheetahs are like the Crusaders without McCaw and Carter.. Just not the same team..
Johnson on the bench worries me a little, cos he’s a hell-of destructive ball-carrier.
Then again, we will have Beast coming on, so not too stressed.
We’ll take this one at a canter if Smith doesn’t play. Might be a tad more difficult if he does. Great player and really lifts those around him.
Pretty strong team. Would’ve been better with Riaan Viljoen starting. Suppose there must be a quota for how many Griquas players can start.
Smith would be a MASSIVE loss to the Cheetahs, especially with Brussow also out. The Sharks need to take the game to them in the forwards, Philip Burger will be a danger man.
@war1 (Comment 4) : I can’t stand Phillip….it would make my day if Mvovo runs over Burger
So the cheetahs will be 80% weaker than normal. Smith usually does 80% of the teams work.
Damnit! He’s in my FL team!
@Pokkel:
@Ice (Comment 7) : As YOU said. You suck at FL.
@Pokkel (Comment 5) : I don’t like his attitude either, but he is a good player. I would also love Mvovo to leave his bootprint on Burger’s chest
@war1 (Comment 10) : That would be fun…or if Phillips starts one of his fancy runs just to be flattened by Mvovo in the tackle.
@Pokkel: I don’t like burger’s antics on the rugby field_if he is in the opposition team!but I wouldve loved to have seen him play for the sharks .perhaps he shouldve considered a move to the bulls? Or even the stormers!!
Saw the headline, read it as Smit doubtful, thought that’s going to be interesting!
@robdylan (Comment 2) : We wouldn’t have to worry if we had “Boetie” in our squad
http://www.sport24.co.za/Galleries/Video/Rugby/Super15/Big%20hit%20of%20the%20pre-season/95e98569babd4b06b20c1691dc73d47f/Big-hit-of-the-preseason
@rhineshark (Comment 14) : Give that man a contract…..is that even legal??
Well the very very slim chance of an upset has now gone …
Sharks by 15 and the bonus point imo.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 9) : was he a shit choice?
@Ice (Comment 17) : No but players get points for playing in a winning team and the Cheetah’s aren’t likely to win too many!
Have you bothered to read the rules?
@Pokkel (Comment 15) : Don’t know if it was legal, but it was awesome
@rhineshark (Comment 14) :
Oh my word that was a huge tackle!!
@rhineshark (Comment 19) : It’s a pity they didn’t show the whole clip at normal speed at once because Boetie came like a rocket it seemed!
@Ice (Comment 17) : so yes it was a shit choice not because of the player but because of the team he plays for.
@Ice (Comment 17) : No. Generally a good choice, just your luck that he is MAYBE injured.
@Ice (Comment 17) : You can still trade for free before Friday.
I’ve had to trade 2 injured players before the start already….Palu and Liebenberg.
@Pokkel (Comment 15) : No arms in the tackle, NOT legal but awesome nonetheless. Commentators sounds like a twit though.
@Pokkel (Comment 24) : Friday morning 6am.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 26) : I was playing it save….I don’t want an angry Ice on my case
Without Juan it will be easier for us. Still not a walk in the park against the Cheetahs, but no Smit and they still don’t have Brussow back, we should take it. Hoping.
We win our first game confidence will be high. Also Blues play Saders this week. That will be a cracker of a game. Then Blues have to fly here to Durbs for the next game, that is tough for Blues for sure. We might have a bit of a advantage there next week. As long as we come out of this game on Saturday without any injuries.
One of my Superbru picks sorted.
Ohhh okay! I generally do not read rules…so why should I have bothered with this?
need to go and do some trading…
Okay, according to the Stormers official site (otherwise known as keo.co.za) Smith has definitely been ruled out of the game on Saturday.
With or without Smith this wont be a walk-over. Go Sharks!
@Pokkel (Comment 27) : save should be safe
I dont think Philip Burger is liked outside of Bloem
@KSA Shark © (Comment 26) : have you checked here. http://www.natal-sharks.co.za/?Task=Category&CategoryID=33292&HeadingText=Replica+Wear
@try time (Comment 35) :
Didn’t even think of that. Will order now.
THANKS!!!
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 34) : you think??
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 34) :
And he IS such a likeable guy.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 36) : no problem.
@Butchie34: been confirmed on ecr sportswatch that juan smith ruled out for game vs sharks this weekend.
@bergshark (Comment 40) :
I’m glad I held off on making my SB picks.
Why would Kabamba`s inclusion be a surprise?
He started for them against the King Spear Fisherman as well didn`t he?
@Original Champion (Comment 42) :
They lost didn’t they?
I thought that was a 2nd string side so would have thought FEW of those starters would start against us.
hi guys…have just registered for super bru…what pool do i join??
@stevo (Comment 44) : Sharksworld, Rich Ferguson is captain.
@stevo (Comment 44) :
Sharksworld
Pool Code: GAFFBRED
thank you
ok i have joined…just waiting for approval from Richard…
@stevo (Comment 48) : You can make picks and score points even though you havent been approved. Rich will get to it soon, so dont stress about it
thanks Jarson…
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 49) :
Yeah the 0.5 points per game that you lose, for not being approved yet, helps us.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 51) : Since when?
oh thats nice…lol well i did my picks so see you at the top of the log….
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 52) :
Hehehehehehehee Just pulling the man’s leg.
Bonus point win for for the Sharks.
@stevo (Comment 53) : If you’re gonna be at the top then we won’t be seeing much of each other.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 56) : I tend to end up in the middle somewhere
@rhineshark (Comment 14) : OUCH! umm… Outstanding!???
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 57) :
I have flashes of brilliance and then screw up at the end
Have been 1st in 2 SB competitions going into the last round before and then didn’t win.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 59) : Ouch
If I dont start well I end badly, have to be in the top 10 by round 3 or else I can forget 
Hi there!! Mama is back!!!
@Pokkel (Comment 5) :
Me2!!!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 43) : my mistake then, I thought FS put 46 past the Kings?
@Original Champion (Comment 62) : You are right, Cheetahs beat the Kings 45-17 (I think) with what was essentially their first choice combination. Apparently Kabamba was included because of his defense and Johnson was thought not to be sharp enough just yet.