Bismarck du Plessis will captain the Sharks for the first time as they take on the Southern Kings in PE on Friday.
In a side that combines the predictable with the somewhat unexpected, season captain Keegan Daniel will play off the bench with Jacques Botes handed a start in the number 6 jersey. Other interesting selections see Anton Bresler picked at 5 ahead of either Ross Skeate (benched) or Alistair Hargreaves (omitted entirely), Fred Michalak retained at scrumhalf and Tim Whitehead picked at inside centre ahead of Meyer Bosman.
A number of other big names join Hargreaves in missing out for the trip down south; Marius Joubert and Louis Ludik have also failed to make the cut and time will tell whether this development means that they won’t be considered for the Bulls match that kicks off next week… the smart money would be on Plumtree not looking outside of this group for the opening weeks of the campaign.
Both Wiehahn Herbst and Julian Redelinghuys have been included on an extended bench, along with Craig Burden, as Jannie du Plessis and Dale Chadwick start on either side of the skipper. Pieter-Steph du Toit and Skeate cover the second row, with the former also providing third row options together with Daniel. Jandre Marais and Tera Mthembu appear to be Vodacom Cup bound, at least for now. Marcell Coetzee (7) and Ryan Kankowski (8) wear the jerseys that look pretty certain to be theirs next weekend too.
Amongst the backs, it’s Paul Jordaan who has taken the biggest strides, names as one of only three backline replacements along with Bosman and Charl McLeod. Sbura Sithole joins Joubert and Ludik on the sidelines as JP Pietersen, Odwa Ndungane, Lwazi Mvovo and Riaan Viljoen are preferred. Pat Lambie is, of course, at flyhalf.
The Sharks
1. Dale Chadwick
2. Bismarck du Plessis (Captain)
3. Jannie du Plessis
4. Steven Sykes
5. Anton Bresler
6. Jacques Botes
7. Marcell Coetzee
8. Ryan Kankowski
9. Frederic Michalak
10. Patrick Lambie
11. Lwazi Mvovo
12. Tim Whitehead
13. JP Pietersen
14. Odwa Ndungane
15. Riaan Viljoen
Replacements
16. Craig Burden
17. Julian Redelinghuys
18. Wiehahn Herbst
19. Pieter-Steph du Toit
20. Ross Skeate
21. Keegan Daniel
22. Charl McLeod
23. Meyer Bosman
24. Paul Jordaan
so now we know… anyone unhappy with this?
I feel for Tera and for Cobus Reinach… also for Louis and Jandre… but hell, what can you do?
My only issue right now is with Kankowski’s form, i really hope he hits his stride before the Bulls game because we’ll need an 8 who is focused on the game and isn’t on his own little mind trip somewhere, otherwise the forward battle, which is always decided by a cumulative number of small victories, will be lost.. Who hits the rucks harder, who makes the tackles, who gets to the breakdown first and which pack is the most committed on the day…
@robdylan (Comment 1) : I’m pleasantly surprised to be honest – I thought Plum would be a lot more conservative.
not happy that ludik is left out
@jovner (Comment 4) : I’m more surprised by Sbura Sithole’s omission. Having said that Odwa’s as safe as houses and brings some much needed experience to this new look backline.
Rob hate to say i was rite but that means vodacom cup squad will be very strong:)
oh and by the way Rob Jaques Botes has been playing out of his boots totally deserves it
Surprised by Jandre’s omission, Hargreaves is he that out of favour with Plum? The man touted as Matfield’s successor
I like th e look of the team,if we can put 50+ pass the kings and allow less than 10 against us I’ll be happy.is this game atleast televised ?
@skull (Comment 6) : it does, ja… I feel really crap for Louis because I don’t think he deserves dropping based on the way he played last year. But as you say, Skull, the Sharks XV will be strong as a result of this.
I think all 24 of these players will travel to Loftus
good move with Bresler in at 5 especially with our relatively light weight loose trio, excited to see how he goes there.
@skull (Comment 7) : yes, I’ve heard so. I’ll be the first to admit that I had all but written Boots off after last season. Glad to hear he’s back to his best. Keegan tends to rest on his laurels at times… we simply can’t have that this season.
@Ludz (Comment 8) : I think the decision went in Piet’s favour because he can play 7 as well as 4… with so many okes vying for that number 4 jersey, someone was always going to be left out. It’s an indication of how highly they rate Bresler that both Marais and Hargreaves have been left out to keep him in.
Can’t complain about this lineup considering Alberts/Deysel are not fit, yet. Good Job, Plum!!
Louis didn’t have a a real shot to be honest. He is a Fullback finish and klaar, and then we have guys like Jordaan that can cover wing and obviously JPP…and Viljoen has proved his class at 15…and Ndungane is in my opinion the No.2 Fullback…so really no space for Ludik.
Let me just check…
Ja it says kings not bulls, its a warmup game seeing what who can do… Some omissions might be secured of a place…
Happy with Bres in the 5 jersey!!
@robdylan (Comment 1) : I’ve always backed Bresler over Jandre…there is a reason he got his Sharks caps before Jandre….and as you Said, Du Toit gets the nod because he is also a very capable 7, and the only cover for marcell until we get Alberts/Deysel back.
I think Plum made the right Choices, for once i agree with his selections
30 man squad, ad 6 names to these 24 to make up squad
@Franshark (Comment 16) : It is the last game before the opening, i think if ur not involved in the 24 this week, we won’t see them next week.
@Ice (Comment 17) : me too!!!
@Franshark (Comment 19) : Sharks have never really held to the “30-man squad” much, though…
The 6 names are probably Cooper, Marais, Hargreaves, Joubert, Ludik and Sithole
@JJR (Comment 20) : I agree with that. I think missing out here is a pretty good indication that you’re out of the picture until at least the Lions game, unless there are injuries
@JJR (Comment 15) : While I can’t really disagree with you on Viljoen’s performances for the Cheetahs, I don’t see how you can say Odwa is a better bet at fullback than Ludik.
What exactly did Ludik do wrong last year?
@robdylan (Comment 24) : was he not injured for long?
Deysel, Albert, Ludik, Sithole, Harry, ….
@robdylan (Comment 22) : En Deysel/Alberts
@Franshark (Comment 26) : sound better than Robs with the Joubert innit!
@robdylan (Comment 24) : Ludik did nothing wrong…that is exactly why i rate Odwa better, because he does something. Ludik Brilliant on Defence; but he lacks imagination and creativity on attack…it is pretty much head down and run straight…he doesn’t really target the space. Odwa hasn’t had an extended run at 15; but when he has been there he has been great, especially on attack…he has a good handoff when he uses it, and he does well to put the wingers away.
I just think Ludik is a conservative selection and Ndungane at 15 is a exciting positive selection in terms of attack. Which is what i think most want to see from The Sharks this season.
@Ice (Comment 25) : not that long, really? Just a few weeks at the end of the season.
@JJR (Comment 29) : fair enough… I also like Oddie at fullback, but haven;t seen enough of him there to place him ahead of Louis in the pecking order.
So assuming that this is it, cutting it to 22…
Leaving out either Whitehead or Jordaan and de Toit?
@robdylan (Comment 31) : I really like Ludik; but he doesn’t really offer too much other than defence, which most Fullbacks do well…so i would rather have an attacking player and odders is also as safe as houses. I also don’t want to see Gouws behind too many guys, at least with Odwa and Viljoen he knows he has Age over them…and he must just hang in there.
I don’t wanna lose a talent like Gouws…all he needs is experience and with that composure and he can play for The Boks one day…i have no doubt.
big fall from grace for Hargreaves, from being in the springbok mix to 3rd choice at the Sharks. Lets hope he ups his a game a lot and lives up to potential…
@Franshark (Comment 32) : i will be very surprised not to see Du Toit in the 22…we need some backup for marcell, Ball Carriers always take more knocks than the others. I would go for Jordaan…if Whitehead doesn’t start then he shouldn’t be in the 22. Jordaan will have a lot more “Adi Jacobs” impact off the bench, due to his Great pace, agility, etc. Whitehead i don’t think is as good a impact player.
Happy with the selections, specially Whitehead, do not rate Bosman at all. Hope he goes with Whitehead/Jordaan.
2 issues in the selection imo, Kanko – workrate nowhere and defence is weak. 8-Marcel, 7 -Keagan, 6- Botes.
Will we not come short against the Bulls with Bresler and Sykes. We need a lineout specialist?
@Reynier Jacobs (Comment 36) : Agree on the 12 issue; Whitehead should be selected over Bosman…i want the flair. Only concern is that we don’t have a great distributor at centre then…we want the wings to get some good service…so a difficult decision for Plum, cos Bosman has a brilliant long pass.
@JJR (Comment 35) : that’s just one of the two to be left out…..
@Franshark (Comment 38) : So then i say Bosman out
@robdylan (Comment 13) : Bressler is the future.Rate this boy. My only concern is our lineout. Will check out his profile.
@GreatSharksays (Comment 40) : 1.98m
Good team..I like this..
@robdylan (Comment 24) : The CC Ludik of 2010 was awesome. Superugby 2011 was a level too high for him, let’s see what 2012 will bring.
@JJR (Comment 41) : Thanks, was wishing he is at least 2.00m. No train smash.
@Reynier Jacobs (Comment 36) : we get stuffed every time we play Keegan and Botes in the same loose trio. NO THANKS
@JJR (Comment 29) : I think we have one of the best fullbacks in the country in Viljoen, no need to move Odwa there. I also like MB, unfortunately, his tackling let him down at times.Tim Whitehead might be a better version of the 2011 MB. The competition will bring out the best in both of these players.
@JJR (Comment 37) : Believe me when I say this, Whitehead has a great pass, it’s as good as MB’s. The boy is a footballer. Except to see the likes of Viljoen, JPP, Mvovo to be put into nice gaps. Also love Lambie’s pass.
Good and brave squad.
Its up to the players now – let’s hope they reward the coaches’ adverturesome.
@Big Fish (Comment 48) :
Adventuresome selections that is.
I feel for Ludik.
Excited to see Whitehead at 12 again, but I am very sure Bosman will start at 12 against the Bulls.
As for Bissie, congrats big man, go lead from the front.
Looking forward to seeing Jordaan rip it up in the second half.
Mthembu is going to score plenty of tries for the Vodacom Cup team.
Wow, when I wrote my wish list two weeks ago I asked for brave decisions. So let’s see… Hargreaves, Joubert and Ludik omitted… Pieter-Steph selected ahead of Jandre Marais… Whitehead and Jordaan included… It’s brave and I LIKE IT!!!
Admittedly, this is not Super Rugby yet, but it’s starting to feel like there’s been a mix up and we have the Plum from the 5th dimension in charge of matters over here
@robdylan (Comment 1) : What do we know?
I haven’t read the comments but this selection as much as I like it bothers me.
Plum said this will probably be the team to take on the Bulls. I doubt THIS will be that team.
So with that in mind what other things that he has said (specifically the things that lead us to believe we might see more daring selections) will he not follow through with?
@Culling Song (Comment 51) : I also LIKE it but am concerned with how out of character it is.
Next week’s selection will either shut me up (hopefully) or have me throwing a tantrum (hopefully not)
I like this team. 1 or 2 changes will still be made I feel. The depth and quality there-of is heartening.
I like the change in thinking from the coaching staff, just hope like hell that they can motivate the guys to play full out rugby for 80 min in every game this year.
Annihilation rugby should be our new motto!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 53) : I know what you’re talking about. Us Sharks fans tend to oscillate between hopeless optimism and brutal disillusionment. I’m rather enjoying this while it lasts though, and you never know, maybe one of the 1376 e-mails I sent Plum in the last month actually hit home
@Culling Song (Comment 55) : We can only hope for strange things. It is a leap year afterall.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 56) : I have a feeling…
Okay, so the Kings were killed by the Lions…88 / 0….please explain their guaranteed inclusion into Superugby 2013…ahead of teams that CAN actually play…
I’d like Megatron to answer me on this especually..
@robdylan (Comment 45) : 100% agree. Those 2 should never be in the same team. Messes up the balance of the loose trio as they’re both too loose. We’ve get taken to the cleaners by CJ Stander and Arno Botha.
Personally i would have gone for Marais over Bresslet but thats my opinion.
If Kanko shows a further drop in form from 2011 then I’d give Tera a shot. Would do no harm at all.
I feel for Sithole but he has a hell of of a fight on his hands esp if the JP at 13 experiment does not go as planned.
@Ice (Comment 58) : I read somewhere that for for a few of the games the Kings were not going to play their strongest team. Sounds like this could have happened in today’s game.
@robdylan (Comment 57) : I F%^&*#EN hope it’s a good one
@Ice (Comment 58) : Ice the Lions did not play the Kings but Border mixed with SWD- the Kings are being rested for The Sharks match.
@Ice (Comment 58) : For starters this was not the Kings, it was an Eagles, Border team.
The kings would anyway only have had a marginally smaller score against them IMO.
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 62) : oh you already said it.
I really like the look of the team. Whitehead at 12 is a big call but maybe Plum liked what he saw, I certainly have whenever I have seen him play. I’m not sure about Michalak at 9 ,but i hope he proves me wrong because he is an awesome player !
Sykes and Bresler –Brilliant Plum bravo, let’s see what the line out looks like, if good this could be the start of a brilliant combo. Bresler as an enforcer I don’t agree with but alongside Sykes… so excited!
@GreatSharksays (Comment 46) : Yes, i like Viljoen 1st choice 15 and Odwa 2nd Choice in the match day 22′s. Because odders can start and wing and move to 15 if needed.
Good to hear u say Witehead has a solid pass, i have watched him play a lot; but when i did he didn’t really pass too often. So if his distribution is Solid i have no problem with him over Bossie. Flair over conservative…that’s what i personally want to see this season; and i also believe The Sharks play their most succesful Rugby when they do play with a lot of flair.
@Talent (Comment 65) : Im super chuffed to see Fred at 9…being a 10 himself, he will understand how and when Lambie must get the ball…i think it will work well for us.
I actually like the look of Sykes/Bresler more than Sykes/Skeate…and especially with Alberts/Deysel out for a couple of games it won’t hurt having 2 physical lock forwards that carry well, hit the rucks hard and tackle like machines.
@JJR (Comment 67) : Lets hope they work together-Lambie and Michalak.
Sykes Bresler excites me .I have been quick to play down any one who talked up Bresler as an enforcer and I really think he will be awesome at 5 ,it just feels right- that lock combo.
@Talent (Comment 68) :
Yeh that will be interesting, do you think Bresler has the lineout aptitude to be a 5 though? That would be my only concern, I agree that he never quite filled that enforcer role.
Hi all, off topic. I have a friend who plays international rugby for Denmark, No8 and only 22 years old. He is looking for a club in SA to join for this years season. Any tips or contacts would be great so I can send on his CV. He is a plumber so can work whilst training. I have tried Collegians (got a response), WOB, and Old Boys….
At Grasshopper why have u nt tried Rovers?
@skull, the rovers site seems to be down and I can’t get contact email addresses. Do u know the 1st team coach and chairmans email addresses?
@ grasshopper
Well I’m the manager our site is actually under construction so email me kirwin@spl.co.za
@ comment 1,
Rob, backline looks exciting but loose forwards are lacking in bulk. If this is the same team playing next week, we are going to struggle against the big Bull loosies
@dawj (Comment 74) : exactly how big are these Bulls looseis you’re worried about?
Why does it seem that I am one of the few who has faith in our more mobile loosies against the Bulls? It seems like exciting rugga is on the cards and not just this “get ball, roll over, play dead, get the ball, roll over, play dead” type of rugby!!
@robdylan (Comment 75) : Ha Ha, ja, Bulls have many light weight looseforwards…the area they are lacking most is a proper 7, IMO.
This is an excellent team. These Sharkies are going to bliksem the Kings 100 – 0. I cannot wait to see what happens.
@Ice (Comment 76) : I agree with you…
@Viking (Comment 78) : wish we could actually see it happen…
@JJR (Comment 77) : I don’t get who these “huge loosies” are that they’re going to play against us. Spies? Stander? Who else?
@robdylan (Comment 81) :
Deon Steggmann and Jacques Potgieter.. Those boys are HUGE..
let’s see…
Bulls will pick from
Steggmann (104kg)
Dewald Potgieter (100kg)
CJ Stander (107kg)
Pierre Spies (107kg)
Sharks from
Keegan Daniel (95kg)
Jacques Botes (100kg)
Marcell Coetzee (106kg)
Ryan Kankowski (110kg)
and possibly even
Pieter-Steph du Toit (114kg)
I’m not seeing the huge mismatch here guys… someone tell me what I’m missing please.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 82) : Stegmann has huge lips… maybe that’s what they mean
@robdylan (Comment 84) : how heavy is Arno Botha out of interest?
@robdylan (Comment 10) :
Thats what happens when you sell your soul to the Devil ..
@robdylan (Comment 81) : They’re big in Japan
@robdylan (Comment 83) : In the case of Slegmann, at least 30 kg’s is pure ego. In the case of Daniel, at least 15 kg’s is pure aggro.
With Spies, 20kg’s is jaw muscles (probably developed from having to bite his tongue at the official unveiling of their Barbie-rules away strip). Also, Spies offers the penetration of a wet tissue, whereas Marcell Coetzee offers the go-forward of depleted uranium, armour piercing round.
Our biggest concern is around Kanko and the lost mojo.
All in all, I know where I’d place my bets, all of Megatron’s protestations notwithstanding.
@Culling Song (Comment 88) : Stegmann is about 104kg of anti-matter
@slammerboy (Comment 85) : 102kg… what a behemoth.
NOT
@Culling Song (Comment 88) : @robdylan (Comment 89) : We need Like buttons stat!
@vanmartin (Comment 91) :
@Culling Song (Comment 88) : Vet weet, jy’s pee-snaaks!!
@vanmartin (Comment 87) :
Jantjies is big in Japan as well?!
@Culling Song (Comment 88) : Spies and penetration in one sentence and now I have that image of the trophy in my head again.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 95) : …and there goes another rib…
I like the competition for places in our squad. No reputation, no ego, pure commitment and good form – makes it an honour to wear the black and white. Guys like Hargreaves, Deysel, Alberts and any old centre became accustomed to wearing the jersey… Now they have to fight for it, can only be good for us… Approved.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 95) : Just when I thought it was safe to return to this site.
@Culling Song (Comment 96) : U have one less to start with…better slow down!
@Ice (Comment 99) :
Plum has made some changes to the team to face the Kings: http://www.sharksrugby.co.za/news/general/120215/Changes_for_Sharks
@vanmartin (Comment 102) : got it