Although I’m pretty pleased with the make-up of the Sharks team to face the Hurricanes on Saturday, I must say, I’m a little surprised that John Plumtree has opted to make quite so many rotational changes this week. While I applaud most of the selection, in the interests of keeping the team fresh, it certainly does seem a little out of character for the coach to make quite so many changes all at once.
The change at flyhalf was, of course, completely anticipated, with a fit-again always inked in for a start this week. With Bismarck du Plessis ruled out through injury, the selection of John Smit at hooker was also something of a given and that has had the knock-on effect of seeing a change at loosehead as well, with the Beast elevated onto the bench. In an interesting twist, though, I would have expected to see Jannie du Plessis come back in at tighthead for Eugene van Staden; the former Griquas and Montpellier man is short of gametime, though and all-in-all I reckon it’s sensible to start with him again this week.
There have been further changes at lock, flank and wing for this game and I can’t say I necessarily see the logic in all of them, unless Plumtree maybe feels that the Hurricanes to-date woeful form may allow him the luxury of a little experimentation. Jacques Botes is due a start at 6, so letting Keegan Daniel have a rest this week is understandable. I’m not sure I agree with the decision to promote Ross Skeate ahead of Gerard Mostert, though, as the latter was one of the Sharks’ standout tight forwards a fortnight ago and with the abrasive Bismarck missing, I’d not have dropped the next-best enforcer in the tight five.
The decision to bring in Lwazi Mvovo for Odwa Ndungane is another that, I guess, has been a long time coming, but Odders has also been one of our really key men so far this year and I really feel a lot more confortable knowing he’s in that number 14 jersey. Perhaps the plan this week is to bring him on at fullback later in the game, because Louis Ludik has also carried a pretty heavy workload so far.
The one change that Plumtree didn’t make – unfortunately – was to give an on-fire Adrian Jacobs a start ahead of Stefan Terblanche, I would have thought that, with Smit back at hooker and wearing the armband to boot, it would have made sense to let Stefan come on later in the game after Adi has had a good hour to run at the fragile Hurricanes defence. Stefan is such a key man in terms of leadership, though and he had a very good game against the Lions – his best of the season – which makes it very hard to justify dropping him.
In the last change, we see a welcome return to Super Rugby for Craig Burden, so let’s hope the only Maritzburg College boy in the squad manages to get a good run against a team who look vulnerable to his particular strengths.
Not much to complain about, all-in-all, and the depth in Sharks rugby looks strong. We should be on course for a good win on Saturday.
The only changes that concerns me is Eugene in place of Jannie and the centre pairing. When is Adi gonna get a start?
Where’s this weeks edition of Windhoek team of the week and the round 10 predictions?
Agree with you on Jacobs. I think it’s high time we saw the nippy little fellow start. Also surprised with Eugene but given how props rotate so early in games these days, I’m sure Jannie will play a solid half-hour at least. All in all, still a strong team, hope we don’t miss Bismark too much.
Oh and BTW Rob, you may want to include the actual team list. Just saying…
@CapeShark (Comment 4) : Can I just say that the actuall team list is on another thread.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 5) : I only read original content.
Must be all the opinions.
Only part I agree with is having another enforcer in the pack in the form of Mostert. It’s a long season, we still have a game away against the Stormers, 2 games against the Bulls and an away game against the Lions and Cheetahs..plus possible play off games. Add the Waratahs and Brumbies to that and you have a demanding remainder of the competition. Good move by Plum.
May all of my Christian friends on here have a blessed Passover! Stay safe whatever you do!
(And since the Stormers are not playing, GO SHARKS!)
@Morné (Comment 8) : Yup. Well said, Morne. God bless everyone. This is the perfect time to reflect on who we are as human beings, and look at the perfect divine spark – our soul – which the good Lord gave us. No matter what your faith or creed, may you be filled with the light of the divine and inspired by the infinite power of the universe this Easter.
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 9) : And GO SHARKS!
@Morné (Comment 8) : Thanks Morie, @SharonvanWyk (Comment 9) : and Sharon thanks, A very blessed day and weekend for all.
ipasike emyoli kuni nonke nezalamani zenu, kwabasendleleni niqhube ngononophelo, iNkosi inisikelele.
@Megatron (Comment 12) : huh!
And to all the Rastafarians out there, happy Groundation Day.
@franshark (Comment 13) : do you know the south african national anthem lyrics?
@franshark (Comment 13) : translated: a wonderful passover to you all and your families and to those on the road, drive carefully and God bless.
@Megatron (Comment 12) : Nkos khakule
@diablo (Comment 17) : close
‘enkosi kakhulu’
@Megatron (Comment 18) : Thanks, I’ll remember the spelling
@Megatron (Comment 16) : lekke man
Good, good friday morning to u all. Have a wonderful day. Today is a beautiful day no matter what the weather is. Blessed is he who believes
@franshark (Comment 21) :
May you too have a blessed day. And the same to all other SW bloggers out there.