The Sharks team to face the Lions this weekend shows a few unexpected changes to the team that went to Bloemfontein and beat the Cheetahs. The first thing to note is that Willem Alberts has been ruled out with injury and with Jean Deysel still suspended, we will be running out with a lightweight trio of Botes, Daniel and Kankowski.
With this in mind, Plumtree still decided to drop our best non-loose forward in Bismarck du Plessis and start with John Smit in the hooker jumper with Beast Mtawarira and Eugene van Staden either side of him.
In the second row Plumtree has continued with the experiment of playing both Sykes and Mostert together while Hargreaves warms the bench again.
The backline, unsurprisingly, has remained unchanged, with Fred Michalak still waiting on the bench to make an impact in this year’s Super Rugby season.
With all the problems in the loose forwards, Marcell Coetzee gets another chance to prove he is the next big forward from the Sharks Academy.
The Sharks
1. Beast Mtawarira
2. John Smit (Captain)
3. Eugene van Staden
4. Steven Sykes
5. Gerhard Mostert
6. Jacques Botes
7. Keegan Daniel
8. Ryan Kankowski
9. Charl McLeod
10. Patrick Lambie
11. Lwazi Mvovo
12. Meyer Bosman
13. Stefan Terblanche
14. JP Pietersen
15. Louis Ludik
Replacements
16. Bismarck du Plessis
17. Wiehahn Herbst
18. Alistair Hargreaves
19. Marcell Coetzee
20. Frederic Michalak
21. Jacques-Louis Potgieter
22. Adrian Jacobs
Great team under the circumstances. Very happy to see Smitty at his favoured 2. With Mostert and Sykes in the second row, the scrums should be sorted.
I’m glad Alberts is getting a rest but worried about the very light loose trio.
Im looking forward to see in what form Michalak is..
He will come in handy for the Currie Cup!
Will just have to work, I am afraid!
Go Tjarkies!!
@Viking (Comment 1) :
Scrums are sorted yes..
But our big ball carriers are nowhere to be seen..
@Ice (Comment 4) : Even though i support the bulls i am in Johannesburg so i hope the lion give you guys a good match.
It remains to be seen, once again. When will we start to play like a team, like last year? Fingers crossed, Go Sharks!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 5) : Here is an idea…Lets run arround them instead of trying to run over them
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 5) : Your ball carrier Willem Alberts AKA Battering Ram lol is running low on gas….he will be burnt out come the world cup!
Actually a blessing in disguise to rest Big Vic. Glad to see Bissie is also rested with Smit back to his own position. Our loose trio might not be as lightweight as you would think . . . This team can definitely klap the Lions.
Why not play Bissie @ flank?
Exactly Richard I have a horrible feeling that Josh is going to have a roaring time. Just have to pray for travel fatigue. Oh well next year is another year
@Muzi (Comment 9) : Lets hope not. The guy need some serious rest so that he can be at his best at the WC. We will need him to play like he did on the EOYT.
@Muzi (Comment 9) :
Im talking about Bismarck as well.. We are very light..
At least we have some Beast in there..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 15) :
Mostert in there can also carry the ball a bit, but not the same as Alberts and Bissie does..
Oh Muzi and I was just starting to like you now you go and ruin the friendship
Is Plum trying his utmost best to lose? Or have they changed their strategy?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 15)
Beast is a machine i hope you guys klap these lion cubs and yes infront of that BEE dude whats his name Robert ‘ i can buy who ever i want’ Gumede…it’s very satisfying to see Ellis Park empty we need a weak lions side in SA lol
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 17) The Pierre Spies bashing from you has me running away it hurts you know!
@Muzi (Comment 12) :
@Muzi (Comment 19) :
I am confused…Who do you actually want to win
The title gives away my biggest worry. Our loose forwards are too light. The Lions are going to drive us off our own ball.
not to keen to see Bosman and JLP but I guess should do for the Lions. Let’s hope that they do not give us a nasty surprise.
Sharks’ problem may be motivation I worry
@Muzi (Comment 19) :
And just earlier you were calling for a close game?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 3) : me too.
Ai still mcleod remains…
@Butchie34 (Comment 22) : There is a simple solution to that as well. Get the ball out quicker
@Butchie34 (Comment 22) :
They are not afraid to counter ruck.. It will be very interesting to see what goes down..
@franshark (Comment 26) : eish…
Michael Rhodes would have come in nicely if he was still in dbn..
Butch James starting for the Lions at 10..
Lions – 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Dylan Des Fountain, 13 Doppies la Grange (c), 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Deon van Rensburg, 10 Butch James, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Josh Strauss, 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar/Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco van der Merwe/David de Villiers, 4 Wikus van Heerden, 3 Patric Cilliers, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Subs: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Jacobie Adriaanse, 18 David de Villiers/David Bulbring, 19 Warren Whiteley, 20 Michael Bondesio, 21 Elton Jantjies, 22 Michael Killian.
The lions has no chance Sharks going to get a 5 pointer
@Mole (Comment 30) :
Butch vs Lambie..
What a battle it will be…
@osbal (Comment 31) : Now that I like to hear. Just wish more sharks supporters show the same amount of fath
Nah, the only “heavyweight” in their loose trio is Josh “Kaspaas” Strauss, but I’m still not convinced. Keegs for one is very under rated when the discussions revolve around size, he proved it in last years CC. Go Sharks!
@Viking (Comment 33) : i saw the games at Coke Tin when we had to hang onto the wins for dear life.
Even despite lack of Alberts we are much stronger than Lions but the Sharks must not be too relaxed. This is what I am worried about.
@osbal (Comment 31) : After seeing their team I agree with you. Overall i think we have the better team.
Plum is employing the second half blitz just like last week
We would if they were not playing so out of form as they have been this SR
now we expect the worst and hope for the best 
Who wants to bet that we will be behind until the 60th minute when Adi comes on and creates two tries?
@Muzi (Comment 9) : Similar to One Pierre Spies who have run out of steam wayyyyy before the Super 15 start this year??
I’m happy with this team. We’re resting some players, that’s good, and I think our lightweight loose trio will run circles around the lions.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 15) :dude, your confused a bid or what, then the lion, then the sharks
@franshark (Comment 41) :
I do not seem to understand what you are saying?
We just need to watch Wikus – he likes to use his hands in the rucks and make things end up in a nightmare..
Bloody hell – does any one know who the ref is??? please just not Steve as well??!! 
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 42) : sorry rich, was ment for muzi
@Letgo (Comment 40) :
They need to get their hands on the ball first. I was impressed by the phases the Lions have been stringing together lately.
@franshark (Comment 44) :
Haha.. cool.. NOW I understand
@Ice (Comment 43) :
Marius Jonker..
@Muzi (Comment 19) : dude, your confused a bid or what, then the lion, then the sharks
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 46) : Frans se kop is alt by Loftus…hy fokus nie op die oomblik nie!
@rekinek (Comment 35) : For sure…We will have to work hard for the win but Sharks has to take this one. We are the better team, we just need to make usre we are also the better team on the day.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 46) :
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 47) : You joking…right…?
hehehe let’s see what Plum, Boyd & Reece-Edwards have up their sleeves, they’ve rested both their primary gainline attackers & also lose a lot in bissy on the deck. one hopes for all your sakes they’ve got a plan to make use of the white hot JPP otherwise the lions are going to bite chunks out of your lot
@Ice (Comment 52) :
I wish I was…
@Ice (Comment 49) : ouch…. But true
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 47) :
That is not good news….he might just go out of his way to prove that he didn’t favour the Sharks last weekend.
@Pokkel (Comment 56) :
Favour the Sharks last weekend how?
@Megatron (Comment 53) :
Are you on crack? The Sharks employ a game-plan that utilises a wing???
Ferguson you really are one-eyed if you think the Sharks weren’t favoured vs Cheetahs.
You okes are funny.
@Speed7 (Comment 59) :
When did I make this statement?
@Speed7 (Comment 59) : then I must have non because he did his atmost to get the cheets winning that game… IMO
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 57) :
Come-on Rich. There were a lot of dodgy calls in favour of the Sharks last week despite the 2 yellow cards.
@Morné (Comment 60) : serious…
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 57) :
Whether it’s true or not it doesn’t really matter, after the media frenzy about how poor he was he might just overcompensate the other way.
@Pokkel (Comment 63) :
Yeah.. but you get lucky at times and other times you suck hind tit.. It all balances out at the end..
He cant come and ref the game biased towards the Lions?! Not with the focus on refs at the moment..
@Morné (Comment 60) :
we try 
Ok, ok, so what if we had a few ref calls go our way last week.
We’ve had tons of games where the ref has screwed us over royally (probably about 3 of them last year and a S14 final) so it’s about time the refereeing gods decided to give us a freaking break.
So if I pick the sharks to win by 25…. Am I going a bid low…
@franshark (Comment 69) : I have the Sharks by 13
We should be able to win the game which ever way the ref decides to call it..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 66) : He wont be biased to any team but he will f%&$ it up for the teams. Jonker is a poor ref no matter who he whistles. Lets just hope we end higher on the score board.
@sharks_lover (Comment 70) : maybe I should turn that around and go for sharks by 31
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 71) : A quality team beats even the ref
@franshark (Comment 73) :
I hope Butch doesn’t go out there with a point to prove because the Sharks refused him a contract. Lambie has got to be careful. Also Doppies has been one of the most under-rated centres this Super Rugby, Stef is going to have a hard time.
@Mocho (Comment 76) : Now that you mention it, Butch has the opportunity here to cut the bok planning group down to 36. Watchout Lambers!!!
@Mocho (Comment 76) :
Bosman will have to step up like he did in the Cheetahs game..
@Big Fish (Comment 58) : read my post again, S L O W L Y this time
We always seem to do well against the Lions in Joburg and can rely on some serious support up there.
I reckon the call to start Smit at hooker is a good one considering our light loose trio. We’ll need three good scrummagers up front to give our loosies a solid attacking platform to work from.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 78) : yeah he does, but Doppies is playing outside centre. How’s HollenBach? Think he will cause Bosman problems?
@Mocho (Comment 81) :
Bosman can take Hollenbach..
My concern is that Bosman will have to help Stef keep Doppies down..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 82) : if butch is clever he will suck “turnstile” bosman to the inside and offload off the tackle to hollenbach or a raging taute. the lions will have to be clinical at the set-piece like we saw the crusaders at twickenham…
@Megatron (Comment 83) :
Its something the Lions are going to target..
Leaving Elton out is a clear indication of this..
I see Kockett is leaving for a team in France
If the lions want to target Pat Lambie then they are in for a RUDE awakening…look without a doubt i rate butch james but Lambie is one tough boytjie he has BMT he thrives underpressure.
@rhineshark (Comment 80) : i agree, and to me with that speedy loose trio the sharks must spread the ball ,
@KingRiaan (Comment 85) : I am not surprised Kockott is not a team man no wonder the bulls were not interested in his services.
@Muzi (Comment 88) : it is the reason he left the sharks , cockott plays for cockott
by the way Muzi i left you a message on the under 20 bok team thread
@sharks_lover (Comment 87) :
I’m kinda sad the bulls missed out on Ungerer i mean we tried averything to sign him…hell we even gave him a junior under 18 contract…you can all thank Hans Scriba and the sharks scouts lol
@Muzi (Comment 86) : Also with Daniel at 7 the defence channel will be a little faster then normal, meaning they would be better served to take the ball wider and and not closer to lambie
I see that Elton Jantjies was dropped for breaking team protocol.
according to news24.
@Muzi (Comment 90) : lol hell i am happy
@Pokkel (Comment 92) :
Let’s hope for the bulls sake his little brother Tony Jantjies of the bulls under 19′s is not ill disciplined.
@sharks_lover (Comment 93) : Who wouldnt be happy but it’s fair though you guys developed stefan so he is rightfully your under19 player a damn fine talent
@Muzi (Comment 86) : the plan would be for butch to target the 10/12 channel, turnstile bosman can’t do anything but miss a tackle if he is off-balance, plus he likes to drift on defence…whatever he does – play that situation!
@sharks_lover (Comment 87) : Right, but hopefully we’ll be patient and spread the ball once we’ve created the space – not run into brick walls of defenders like we’ve been doing all season (and why our best ball-carriers have been so below par of late).
Hey guys, look out for me on tv this weekend! I’ll be they guy chasing Charl McCloud with a nail gun after the first pointless kick he executes…
Breaching team protocol hey? Could Elton be the player that the police were investigating for sexual assault, and it came to light only now?
@Crock (Comment 99) : no – most definitely not.
He was dropped for missing a team appointment.
Let’s not start potentially libellous rumours!
@Megatron (Comment 79) :
Come on sonny-jim: I really thought of you as a clever boy.
That was a J-O-K-E.
Point is, the Sharks do not seem capable of playing a game-plan that involves structured play including the wings.
@Crock (Comment 99) :
Michell said he was late for some sort of meeting……I hope not.
@robdylan, sorry for that. I must have misunderstood “Protocol” then
In terms of the ‘assault’ in Dunedin, the last time I heard anything about this was that the assault may have been during the week when the Lions were there or the previous week when the Force? were there. But two weeks after the complaint, the police had not contacted either team. So it looks as though it was a bogus claim to slander the Lions from some disgruntled fan.
@Culling Song (Comment 98) :
Ag man you can’t even spell McLeod….so I dare you do it!!!
Protocol. Noun.
: a detailed plan of a scientific or medical experiment, treatment, or procedure.
So, Elton did What??
@Crock (Comment 103) : jeez, you think?
@Crock (Comment 106) : elton missed a team appointment
@Butchie34 (Comment 104) : I think the only person, who may have felt close to being “assaulted”, was Clare Curran, who got banned from the Kiwi House of Parliament for wearing an old Highlanders rugby jersey…
@rhineshark (Comment 109) : Probably.
If the same thing happened in SA, no one would notice.
@robdylan, hehe, and Dr Mitchell put his foot down!
@Butchie34 (Comment 110) :
Im backing Lambie to have two cracker weekends in a row and increase his chances on at least a starting 22 for the tri nations..
Now is the time to standup!!
I’m on my phone and am not going to read all the comments.
What I will say is that not to many years ago this loosetrio was our proud and joy on many an occasion.
nothing has changed IMO.
sharks by plenty.
A few of our forwards have points to prove ,throw them to the wolves in a mix and match pack with a slow t5 and gnat weight looseforward trio becuase it doesnt matter ,they should play for the team and earning back that bok jersey. For once I hope our boys adopt that hard nosed hardy attitude the cheetahs are known for. More than enough talent in that squad to beat any team and more than enough talent to walk the lions even if they play like men possesed. No more excuses about mental toughness ,it`s simple ; If you dont beat the lions this weekend you dont want it bad enough ,and if you cant beat these okes to make the play offs then perhaps you dont deserve a website dedicated to you .-Harsh words -Go Sharks
@Mocho (Comment 81) : Although that is the way they are down on the team list, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s actually the other way round when the teams come out. Hollenbach is the pacier and has played a lot at outside centre!!
@Mole (Comment 113) : isn’t “starting 22″ an oxymoron?
Last time I checked, only 15 guys started…
@robdylan (Comment 117) : hiyas Bro , like i told you Jordaan was ok to play ,
Hope he has a big WC so the Sharks coaching staff and take notice
@robdylan (Comment 117) :
@sharks_lover (Comment 118) : yeah – will be good for him.
Sorry to miss you on Skype earlier… I’m online now if you’re around
Glad to see Bissie being rested, would have liked to see a few more guys being rested.
@Ben (Comment 121) : Like who?????
@Ben (Comment 121) : you’re just saying that because you hate John Smit at Prop
@Dancing Bear (Comment 122) : @Dancing Bear (Comment 123) : Lol, but seriously I think Ludik needs a rest. Or Ludick as some refer to him!
@Ben (Comment 124) : I agree that Ludik needs a rest, but if we were to discuss that we would have to discuss his replacement, and that would mean mentioning a certain name we have managed to avoid for a couple of days now.
Gotta run to a meeting, maybe catch you later. Cheers!
@Dancing Bear (Comment 125) : Lol
okay moving on, I would have rested (dropped) Charl Mcleod for this game. Playd Freddie at 9. What do you think? He can’t do worse than Mcleod is doing at the moment really.
These games are war and it’s not a good move to go to war without any 2 of these 3 guys: Bismarck, Alberts and Deysel. Expect a hard day in the office. Lions are going to be big in the 1st half, come second half they’ll be tired and if the 1st half went well they’ll just be able to push. If we were playing an overseas team I would be happy with this team as it will ensure that we change our gameplan and start running the ball more. Hope Plum has worked on our rucking cause the Lions are big in that department with the likes of Wickus, Minnie, Grobbler, Cilliers, Strauss. Our only solution is to play a very quick game. Thank God Jantjies isn’t starting else we were going to be in serious trouble. That boy can get a backline moving. Doppies is also a problem.
Would love to see Freddie at 9 sooner rather than later! Gotta run…cheers.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 126) : Cool.
@Crock (Comment 34) : I take it you think Derrick Minnie is a school boy. Please don’t make that mistake, we are going to be up against it. We’ll need to play as a close well drilled team.
@GreatSharksays, no, I don’t take Minnie for a schoolboy.
A kitten is more apt. (Minnie, Lion).
Seriously though, I do realise the dangers of their loose trio, but I’m confident in the ability of our boys.
Back to business DB.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 129) : What changes would you have made to this team?
@Ben (Comment 134) : Except for playing Smit at prop.
Actually, with who is available, I would have played Hargreaves at 5, Adi at 13, and Stef at 15. And I would play Smit at 2
@Dancing Bear (Comment 136) : Sorry and I would have played Freddie at 9.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 136) : Agree and toi add to that I’d play Mossie at 4
So, the lions have lost their last 14 games at the coke tin…
@Ben (Comment 138) : I like that idea, Sykes has played 7 before for the Sharks, so he would be a very useful replacement from the bench. If it looks like our light loosies are not cutting it, Sykes could cover from the bench and add some grunt.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 140) : Correct, while we are on that topic, I would have playd Kanko at 7 and moved Keegan to 8.
@Ben (Comment 141) : Kanko said before this season that he is not a 7 and his one Bok match at 7 proved that. I don’t think he would want to play at 7. I also think he is a better 8 than Keegan and Keegan a better 6 or 7. I actually would not mind Keegan at 6 and Botes at 7. Botes while small is a superior runner with the ball.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 142) : Didn’t know Kanko felt like that about 7. The reason I wanted to put him there is he is the most physical of the 3.
@Ben (Comment 143) : This year he has clearly been the most physical of the three, perhaps at the expense of some of his flair. I think that Kanko is the best natural 8 in SA, he was very adamant about not playing 7, had a whole section on it on Boots and All early in the year. Keegan always plays bigger than his size. He will be just fine at 7, his only problem is self control, and if he plays under control, he is superb and never lets the Sharks down. The only time he lets the Sharks down is when he does something stupid.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 144) : Don’t you miss that explosive loose running from Kanko? I miss it a lot.
@Ben (Comment 145) : I do miss it. Personally, I remember watching him play 7 for the Boks, and I thought it was about the best he had ever played with regard to physicality. He seemed to understand the different role he was playing and adjusted his game accordingly. I thought he did very well at 7, but clearly he did not.
I think he was told by the Bok coaching staff to play a more physical game, because he has clearly changed his style this season, and I do miss his runs. I am sad that if the Bok coaches told him to play a more physical match and then chose to not select him because his trademark runs were absent. I wonder if he has not been messed around just a little.
I have to run Ben, as always been great chatting with you. Have a great evening…..Cheers!
@Dancing Bear (Comment 146) : I wouldn’t be to suprised if that was the case. Man that guy has got some gas, all going to waste now.
@Ben (Comment 148) : Just before heading off, if he is able to somehow mix the physicality with the trademark runs, then all will be well I think. He will come right, of that I have no doubt, and those runs will return. Cheers!
@Dancing Bear (Comment 147) : Always a pleasure to chat to you too. Cheers Uncle, have a good one.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 149) : I hope you are hitting the nail on the head there. Chow..