The Sharks take on the Pumas in their second Currie Cup match on Friday evening – possibly in Nelspruit – and coach John Plumtree has relatively few injuries in his squad after an easier-than-expected match against the Blue Bulls.
The major doubt at this stage is probably lock Anton Bresler, who took a massive knock late in the first half when Bulls prop Rossouw de Klerk’s head made contact with his neck and upper chest. The former DHS lad soldiered on for ten minutes but had to go off and will need to pass a fitness test this week to be considered for the Pumas game. Our info, though, is that it’s not all that serious and Bresler is pretty confident of being able to play.
The other injury concern is to prop Eugene van Staden, who pulled up lame at captain’s practice with a sore hamstring. He was duly replaced by Dale Chadwick in the starting team, who played a blinder, but van Staden’s experience will be very valuable this weekend if he is passed fit.
While there is a ready-made replacement for van Staden available in the form of Julian Redelinguys, replacing Bresler in the squad will be more difficult. Should he need to stay at home, expect Jandre Marais to start in the number 4 jersey, with Daniel Adongo perhaps travelling as reserve lock. The Sharks team should be confirmed on Wednesday.
I hope Ants recovers, he has suddenly become a key player for us.
@war1 (Comment 1) : yes, it would be shockingly bad luck for him if he had to sit out now just when he’s finally got the starting shot he’s been working towards.
He’ll be fine, though. I spoke to him afterwards and he’s sore, but determined to play
Lock crisis? What crisis?
@waje (Comment 3) : I reckon the Bulls are the ones with the lock crisis.
Anyone manage to spot either Kruger or Mabeta on the field on Saturday? Clearly weren’t there, or they would have won more than 27% of their own lineouts
@robdylan (Comment 4) : Looks like Bulls and Sharks are on a big lock hunt. Although Bulls are ahead as they have the Stormers guy. The Sharks can’t go into next years Super rugby tournament with only Skeate, Hargreaves, Bresler and Marais. Alberts may have to move into lock and another loosie saught if finding a lock is a problem.
One thing I did notice is Keegan is far better at 8. Everytime he has played there this year he has excelled. Ryan may need to get acustomed to being an impact player next year.
@waje (Comment 5) : I disagree… as far as I’m concerned, having a so-called “big name” like Sykes in the mix actually did nothing for us in Super Rugby this year. I’d be quite happy to see Bresler and Marais entrusted with the role next year.
@robdylan (Comment 4) :
Honestly, that has more to do with gary Botha not being able to throw a ball into the lineout..
@waje (Comment 5) :
Why the hell not trust our backup locks?
They performed bloody well on Saturday and will only get better..
@robdylan (Comment 4) :
rob and to top it rugby365 has fudge bubbling under , and no sharks lock gets a mention 
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 8) : @robdylan (Comment 6) :
Howzit guys.
When are we going to wrap up the S15 team of the year?
@sharks_lover (Comment 9) : Fudge? Gimme a break!
@Pokkel (Comment 10) : good question… the ridiculously short break between S15 and CC seems to have caught us by surprise a little… it seems like old news now
@robdylan (Comment 11) : im serious lol
check here , and again Marcel Coetzee does not even get a mention
New breed of stars in our team
Mon, 18 Jul 2011 11:39
Craig Burden threw down the challenge. (c) Gallo
With so many Springboks away on national duty the Currie Cup will provide a mixed bag of results this season, which is illustrated in our Team of the Week from the opening round.
The Sharks made an early statement of intent to defend their title by brushing aside the Blue Bulls 35-16 and thus earning themselves four places in our team, while the Cheetahs (three), Pumas (three), Western Province (two), Griquas (two) and Blue Bulls (one) make up the numbers.
There was also a fantastic performance by the Griquas to hold Province to a 26-26 draw at Newlands in a physical affair that wins the men from Kimberley four places in the ‘Bubbling Under XV’, while the Pumas (three), Sharks (one), Golden Lions (two), Cheetahs (three) and Blue Bulls (two) are also in the mix.
Here is our famous Currie Cup Team of the Week:
15 – Riaan Viljoen (Griquas): Solid as a rock at the back and thanks to his hefty boot Province were forced back into their own half time and time again.
Bubbling under: MJ Mentz (Pumas)
14 – Richard Lawson (Griquas): The Griquas flyer made the break that to set up a try that can already be considered a candidate for one of the tries of the season, after the 99 metre effort was converted by Rocco Jansen.
Bubbling under: Louis Ludik (Sharks)
13 – Johann Sadie (Western Province): In a faltering backline Sadie was one of the few players to show some creative touches and narrowly holds off the challenge from Cheetahs ace Corné Uys.
Bubbling under: Corné Uys (Cheetahs)
12 – Andries Strauss (Cheetahs): The hard hitting former Shark made his tackles felt and lead the side with aplomb to a convincing victory.
Bubbling under: Barry Geel (Griquas)
11 – Ashwin Scott (Pumas): The nippy left wing scored a try and was also creative influence behind another in a top quality performance that helps him edge out Griquas speedster Rocco Jansen.
Bubbling under: Rocco Jansen (Griquas)
10 – Freddie Michalak (Sharks): The French flair was their for all to behold and the talented playmaker was full values with a few moments of pure genius.
Bubbling under: Burton Francis (Golden Lions)
9 – Ross Cronje (Sharks): A good outing for the young Shark, who made good decisions on attack and provided fast clean ball for his hungry backline.
Bubbling under: Dustin Jinka (Blue Bulls)
8 – Keegan Daniel (Sharks): Unlucky not to be involved in the Springbok setup, and he proved it this weekend where he was head and shoulders above the rest.
Bubbling under: Christo le Roux (Pumas)
7 – Siya Kolisi (Western Province): Province may have discovered a new gem in Kolisi, who was physical and showed a turn of speed to cut through a gap for a well earned try.
Bubbling under: Davon Raubenheimer (Griquas)
6 – Corne Steenkamp (Pumas): He was all over the park and did the job of fetcher brilliantly to pip Justin Downey and Johan Wessels for a place in our team.
Bubbling under: Justin Downey (Griquas)
5 – Marius Coetzer (Pumas): The experienced lock outplayed Lions workhorse Franco van der Merwe and was a tower of strength for his side.
Bubbling under: Waltie Vermeulen (Cheetahs)
4 – Francois Uys (Cheetahs): The physical second row flexed his muscles against an out-gunned Leopards side.
Bubbling under: Fudge Mabeta (Blue Bulls)
3 – WP Nel (Cheetahs): A rare try early in the game for the big man who dominated the scrums and was a reliable pillar, and while Bok coach Peter de Villiers doesn’t like him we think he’s quality.
Bubbling under: Ashley Buys (Pumas)
2 – Craig Burden (Sharks): The flying hooker looked pleased to get some game time in the absence of John Smit and Bismarck du Plessis and reminded the Durban faithful there is another talented star in their ranks.
Bubbling under: Bandise Maku (Golden Lions)
1 – Corne Fourié (Blue Bulls): A solid first outing for the young prop, who showed some great potential to be the next in the long line o top class Bulls front row forwards.
Bubbling under: Marcel van der Merwe (Cheetahs)
Also i thought Louis Ludick was superb on Saturday , after Freddy prolly our best back
@Pokkel (Comment 10) :
Hi Pokkel..
I need to get to it, I am aware that it seems a little silly, but I will get to it in the next few days..
@robdylan (Comment 12) : @Richard Ferguson (Comment 15) :
No hurry….I don’t drink that much beer in winter.
@Pokkel (Comment 16) : I love a confident man
@Pokkel (Comment 16) : HAPPY BIRTHDAY POKKELTJIE!!
@Ice (Comment 18) :
Thanks Ysie!
The only problem we have at Lock is Bresler’s locks…
I think he needs a nice new haircut. I mean this really nicely – he is waaaayyyy to young to sport the mullet look.
@Pokkel (Comment 16) : oh shit yes – happy birthday Oom! Hope you’re having a lekker day
@robdylan (Comment 21) :
Thanks……en wie is jou f#$%^$n Oom?
@Pokkel (Comment 22) : Just thinking the same thing…
@Pokkel (Comment 22) : Touche!!!
@Culling Song (Comment 23) : @Ice (Comment 24) :
Thanks……Nice to see the 2 bloggers that are older than me defend me!!
@Pokkel (Comment 22) : hook, line and sinker
@robdylan (Comment 26) :
@Pokkel (Comment 25) : Wié’s *&$#@ ouer as jy???
@Ice (Comment 28) :
Sorry, I couldn’t resist.
@Pokkel (Comment 29) : No prob – I “owe” you one…
@Pokkel (Comment 25) : We may be older, but we look better
@sharks_lover (Comment 13) : Corne Fourie was probably the only Bulls forward to impress on the day. Even in a beaten pack he looked a very good prospect.
Didn’t see all the other games but Coetzee was exceptional.
@Culling Song (Comment 31) :
No arguments here…..I’ve never been accused of being pretty, scrawny or tall!
@Pokkel (Comment 27) : just spoke to you now now and did not know its your B-day, congratts dude
@Franshark (Comment 34) : Dankie.
@Culling Song (Comment 31) : “Like’button
@Pokkel (Comment 33) : Just bring the Snow Phoenix along on Thursday so we can talk business, and I’ll like you whether you’re big or tall, round or small
@Culling Song (Comment 37) : that sounds like one of those ancient pantyhose adds they had waaayyy back when ‘if you are as big as a house, small as a mouse, round like a balll…”
@Ice (Comment 38) : Don’t give away your age now…
@Culling Song (Comment 37) :
You drive a hard bargain.
Would you still like me if I became a Bulls supporter and my favorite players where Stegmann, Kuun and Spies?
@Culling Song (Comment 39) : My mother told me about it – before my time!
@Pokkel (Comment 40) : Just gooi some three ships in the bottle…he wont know the diffs!
@Ice (Comment 42) :
I couldn’t do that. He wants it for his wonderful wife. I would never do that to her.
If he wanted it for himself then it would have been Spot-On Whisky.
@Pokkel (Comment 43) :
I officially apologise for this comment!!
It was uncalled for.
(I might just get banned from the whisky club for that.)
Happy birthday Pokkel, seems like the whole world is in birthday mode today.
@Salmonoid (Comment 45) :
Thanks!
@Pokkel (Comment 46) : so madiba is only one day older than u
@Pokkel (Comment 46) : @Franshark (Comment 47) : sorry same age
@Franshark (Comment 48) : whoops