They say it’s an ill wind that blows nobody any luck and the news out today that Bismarck du Plessis is struggling with a sore shoulder might just see a tricky loose end tied up this weekend.
The issue is a simple one, really. Bok coach Peter de Villiers wants John Smit to play hooker and has almost gone as far as stating outright that the skipper will only go to the World Cup if he can prove himself the best man for the number 2 jersey. Problem is, John Plumtree sees Smitty as a prop these days – mostly a loosehead one – a position in which de Villiers feels there is more than enough cover at national level without Smit.
A report earlier in the week suggested that the two coaches were on a collision course, with the Bok boss apparently set for “talks” with his Sharks counterpart to discuss (or perhaps demand) gametime at hooker for Smit. Plumtree could sidestep this one pretty nicely if he were to rest du Plessis this week and start Smit at hooker. The captain, who was very good at loosehead against the Lions, could silence a few of his detractors by putting in a storming performance in the middle of the scrum this weekend. Bismarck’s execution in the lineouts has also been far short of his usual standard in recent weeks and a commanding showing in this set piece could tick a few boxes on Smitty’s application form as well.
In short, I think it’s a bloody good idea to give John Smit a start at hooker this weekend and possibly even consider putting Craig Burden on the bench (with Bismarck given an extra week to recover fully). It’s a long season, after all and you can never have too may in-form players pushing each other hard for selection.
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Well said, boss. And have a wonderful time in Umhlanga. Hope the weather’s better than here!
You brought Blighty with you to the highveld! 
Good idea…give Bissie another week and have him ready for the must win game against the Stormers, Hurricanes first though.
Sometimes things sort themselves out. Bissy really does seem to need a rest and Plum will look like he has the best interests of Bok rugby at heart. Twee vlieë met een klap.
@rhineshark (Comment 3) : Precisely. A real win-win situation!
If Bissie misses out maybe Botes for a start?
Good Idea this.
But would Snorman demand that other teams ” put the bok cause first ” as well?
How about Chilliboy to start every Bulls match so he can stay in shape? Or Ricky January as a compulsory scrumhalf for Allister?
In that case our loosies need to up the tempo to the extreme !!
Keegan needs to play more a ball following role and kanko to play a bit tighter
Becuase we loose a scavenger in bissie ,however our set piece should stabalise
I would play two enforcer locks behind the front row -Imagine ;Beast Smit Jannie Mostert Sykes Daniels Alberts Kanko
Yip I agree, give Bissie a rest and give John a start.
If John starts at hooker Plum can give Stef a rest and give Adi a start.
@Danman110 (Comment 10) : Great idea, I would love that!
@Ben (Comment 11) : I hope it happens we need some spark at the back, I can see Adi , JPP and Lambie tearing the Canes porous defence to shreds.
@Danman110 (Comment 12) : Yes me too, not even mentioning Mvovo.
Pity …I was hoping Smit would get to play against the Stormers with Bissy resting then.
The Hurricanes will be thrilled they wont have to play against the best 2 on the Planet.
@Danman110 (Comment 12) : it will be great, but happening…I don’t think so
@grant10 (Comment 14) :
do I detect a slight shift in the drum beat there? From “Smit is kak at 3″ to “Smit is kak”
It’s a sad truth that people tend to remember the negative, rather than the positive. And so it is that, although Plum has done a lot of great things for the Sharks (won the Currie Cup. Twice. Instilled discipline and pride. Created a happy environment that attracts and retains players), right now the only thing that stands out for me is his “rotate when broken” player management policy. *sigh*
Having said that, it would be great for John Smit to get some game time at 2!
@grant10 (Comment 14) : funny how the best 2 on the planet can’t find his lineout jumpers with a compass and a map…
Spot on Rob.
@robdylan (Comment 18) : Allow me to stir the pot some more…
People raving about Bismarck always mention his physicality, his fetching, and his ball-carrying. Scrummaging and line-out throwing rarely features (except in a negative sense). So, with that in mind, shouldn’t he be playing flank!?
@Robdylan(Comment 18) Good chirp!! I’ll post my TomTom to Kings Park for them!!
@Culling Song (Comment 20) : Wouldn’t say his scrummaging rarely features. He’s a very good scrummager.
@Culling Song (Comment 20) : That just might be the best idea ever, if Brussow is injured …..
@robdylan (Comment 18) : this is not to bash Bismarck at all… he’s a wonderful player and a hugely valuable member of our pack.
Calling him “the best hooker on the planet” is far fetched, though, because he still struggles with his basics far too often to warrant that tag.
Agree Rob, we have to have Bissie fit for the Stormers game. If that shoulder is giving trouble rest Bissie. John will do well at hooker, though we will miss Bissie in the loose. Heck wish we had Deysel this weekend now. Was hoping Deysel would be there for the Stormers game. But see he will probably only get gametime after the next bye.
Anyhow Go John. Shut your detractors up mate. We know you can do it.
Go Sharks we need a to beat the Canes. Everygame now is almost a must win.
Good luck Sharks.
@Culling Song (Comment 20) : haha. I have thought about that plenty mate. I think YES he can. Now thee is a thing.
@Puma (Comment 26) : thee = there
@robdylan (Comment 18) : Agree. Not sure why Bissie struggles with that. But it does cost us when we don’t get our ball in the lineouts. John’s throw-ins are better. But I like the idea of Culling Song, play Bissie at flank, now there would be a thing.
With Alberts at 8 and Deysel at 7. Sheesh!! We would scare any team with that loose trio…. 
Right now I couldn’t care less about the Boks. Sharks are all that matters. Plumtree has no incentive to fold – his salary and lively hood depends on the Sharks’ and not the Boks’ performance.
@King Shark (Comment 29) : Plum said last night on the news that as long as John is comfortable with what Plum is doing then there is no problem. It doesn;t sound like Plum is chainging any of his plans for John based on what Divvi is saying and he should change anything on Divvi’s behalf. Do what is best for the Sharks and John.
@Ben (Comment 22) : I’m not trying to imply that Bissie is a poor scrummager. It’s just that I have never seen the words “dominant scrummager” or something similar mentioned about his performances; while he can hold his own, I don’t believe it to be an area of his game where he distinguishes hinself from the rest of the top-flight hookers out there.
@Culling Song (Comment 31) : But honestly when ever do you hear of a hooker being a good scrummager? Although Bissie is a great scrummager like a lot of hookers out there, a hooker almost never gets credited for his scrummaging.
@Ben (Comment 32) : I often hear people talking of John Smit’s scrummaging prowess…
@Culling Song (Comment 33) : On prop or hooker?