As speculation mounts about the composition of the Boks World Cup squad, two Sharks players appear to have had their selection hopes dashed. While it’s of course premature to say anything with certainty, the presence of Lwazi Mvovo and Jean Deysel at Sharks practice today does indicate that the pair won’t be on the plane when the Boks depart for New Zealand next month.
According to an article on SuperSport, coach John Plumtree has indicated that both players will be available for selection against the Lions this weekend. It’s a pretty ironic twist, seeing that wing and blindside flank are the two positions where the Sharks are particularly well-served, with youngsters like Marcell Coetzee, Sbura Sithole and Mark Richards stepping up well in the absence of the established stars.
Only a fool would turn down the services of a Deysel or an Mvovo in this year’s somewhat understrength competition, though as both are players who have shown the ability to turn matches in the past. With a tricky set of away fixtures against the Lions and Blue Bulls coming up over the next fortnight, Plumtree could be forgiven for wearing a bit of a smile, even if the players themselves might not see the bright side of this situation just yet.
In other team news, the coach is apparently not happy with Marius Joubert’s conditioning and looks set to drop the veteran for this weekend’s game in order to get him into better shape. With Stefan Terblanche another who might sit out, due to the birth of his son this morning, there’s a possibility that Adi Jacobs might enjoy a rare start in the number 13 jersey against the Lions this weekend,
Tweet
Well Adi finally getting a start is a small ray of sunshine. I wonder whether Ashly Johnson or Flouw will be named this evening then? I’d prefer Flouw.
Was Adi Jacobs at practice?
Man this sentence started out with such promise but didn’t end the way I’d hoped.
“Only a fool would turn down the services of a Deysel or an Mvovo”
Was hoping it would be a reference to the Bok selections
@vanmartin (Comment 1) : It makes sense for Johnson to be named but Fho knows?
Last minute blood rush.
@beet (Comment 2) : yes
if Deysel’s out, we can assume Johnson is in…
If Mvovo and Adi are both out (along with Wynand) then we’re missing a back… hence my assumption that Flouw is ALSO in and they’re only taking 13 backs.
I just can’t think of another back who could have made it.
Odwa and AJ going to the WC?
@Ben (Comment 7) : what? Where do you get that from?
My directors just gave me their season tickets for Ellis Park on Saturday on the condition that if the Sharks lose I have to grow a beard (like Josh Strauss).
Hopefully the right Sharks team rocks up!!
I cant imagine how Flo can be in the reckoning.
Must say, I would relish the prospect of a Daniel/Deysel/Coetzee loose trio (provided Keegan sorts out his discipline issues; I’m getting tired of wearing a big plaster across my K-Dog tattoo).
@robdylan (Comment 8) : From a board game called Cluedo!
@Ben (Comment 7) : Adie Jacobs or Ashley johnson?
@robdylan (Comment 8) : I think he is presuming that since we got these two back
@KSA Shark © (Comment 13) : Ashley Johnson
@Butchie34 (Comment 9) : Wooohoooo
Gauteng Sharksworldians are in da box on Saturday.
@Culling Song (Comment 11) :
I told you not to put that tatoo on your forehead.
@Pokkel (Comment 16) :
Does this definitely mean that they are not in the RWC squad or possibly they just need some match fitness before the RWC.
@war1 (Comment 18) : When does the SA squad fly to NZ?
@Ben (Comment 19) : Not before this weekend, surely?
@war1 (Comment 18) : we really don’t know…
@war1 (Comment 18) : maybe it was their of-day and choose to go practice with the sharks
@robdylan (Comment 21) : Was just putting that out there as another possibility. Not long til we find out if they have made it after all.
so sharks eventually get their Bok discards
@war1 (Comment 23) : Wollie is definitely on the Sharks bench this weekend… don’t know what’s up with Lwazi
@Megatron (Comment 24) : Who did the Kings get back?
Deysel – the man will be angry – I feel for his opposition… Sorry big guy…
Ashley Johnstone also named in the Cheetahs team. Flo anyone?
@Pokkel (Comment 28) : Now I am puzzled??
Will really feel for the players that had to put their bodies on the line down under, so our top Boks could rest up in Rustenburg.
Deysel was out best Bok on tour. How Flo can just walk into the Boks squad have no idea. Must be Rassie I think. Or just a cover for Brussow. Though we do have Burger, but he is not a out and out fetcher. I would have had Deysel there.
Let us see who the squad is tonight. Remember when Jake announced his squad the players all came out one after the other. So if Deysel/Mvovo and Johnson are not there and at their franchise. I somehow doubt they have got selected. Unless they just gonna call out names. Doubt it. Think we will see players coming out.
@Puma (Comment 29) : agree 100% with you
and if someone like Deysel says stuff that i dont have a chance anyhows?? goes to apply his trade in europe he gets slated from all corners
wouldnt blame him in the least
@sharks_lover (Comment 30) : Agree and I will never blame him either.
Damn man, these players that toured on the away tour were just ‘guinea pigs to the slaugher’ nothing else. Cause they were never gonna be selected only the definite ones. So Deysel, Johnson played their hearts out for what? ESPECIALLY DEYSEL.. DAMN I feel for him.
Just hear on Sabc news. Lambie and Fransie confirmed for the Bok squad. So are they doing this live or what?
@Puma (Comment 31) :
typo there. slaughter
So my feeling the players that toured down under that will get selected will only be:
Lambie – Feel great for him actually. Deserves it.
JdJ – Deserves to go too.
Aplon – Aplon never had a great tour but we know he can play well. Also deserves to go. But Deysel deserved to get selected too.
Feel for Deysel. Was our top Bok on tour. Damn what did they go and play down under for? All of them were told they could still get selected. Ag, just not fair.
Anyhow could be wrong just have to wait for the announcement.
@Puma (Comment 33) : that was a pretty long-winded way of saying nothing much