Bok flank Jean Deysel will lead the Sharks, from the blindside flank position, when they take on Western Province at Newlands in Saturday’s opening Currie Cup match.
The Sharks have opted to add Louis Ludik to the rested list, along with Charl McLeod and Anton Bresler, meaning a second-ever start for Gouws Prinsloo, in the number 15 jersey. The wings are chalk and cheese in terms of age and experience, with veteran Bok Odwa Ndungane and young turk Sibusiso Sithole at right and left respectively. Midfielders Paul Jordaan (13) and Meyer Bosman (12) should look to settle as a combination in these early rounds, while Riaan Viljoen has been asked to reprise the flyhalf role he last played again John Smit’s Barney’s Army.
McLeod’s absence means a first-ever start for young Cobus Reinach at scrumhalf, with Conrad Hoffmann his cover on the bench. Another veteran in Marius Joubert joins uncapped winger Rosco Speckman as the other backline reserves.
Up front, it’s all change, with Dale Chadwick, Craig Burden and Wiehahn Herbst – the front row that played for most of last season’s Currie Cup – reunited. Steven Sykes and Jandre Marais are the lock pairing, with Jacques Botes and young Tera Mtembu joining Deysel in a well-balanced back row.
Francois Kleinhans has been called up from the under 21 ranks to sit on the bench, along with the younger Marais sibling (Peet), Monde Hadebe and prop Julian Redelinghuys.
Sharks: 15 Gouws Prinsloo, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Sbura Sithole, 10 Riaan Viljoen, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Tera Mtembu, 7 Jean Deysel (capt), 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Jandre Marais, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Craig Burden, 1 Dale Chadwick
16 Monde Hadebe, 17 Julian Redelinghuys, 18 Peet Marais, 19 Francois Kleinhans, 20 Conrad Hoffmann, 21 Marius Joubert, 22 Rosco Speckman
Why do we have only 6 replacements?
@Die Kriek (Comment 1) :
That’s not a terrible Sharks side…
I’m really happy for Deysel. I predict a big CC season for him, forging a place back into SS starting contention and Bok selection.
@Die Kriek (Comment 1) : Because Conrad Hoffman might get a groin strain from sitting on the bench…?
No wait, that would take us down to five
@Culling Song (Comment 5) : Hoffmann should be fine, he’s used to it, but we have no nr.21
@Die Kriek (Comment 6) : I think it must be one of those situations like buildings without a 13th floor…
@Culling Song (Comment 7) : Could be. There in theory but non-existent for all practical purpouses
@Culling Song (Comment 3) : that’s a long way from a terrible Sharks side.
If it weren’t for the fact that most of them are jetlagged, I’d say an easy win!
@robdylan (Comment 9) : if you take a look at the problems team then there is no reason that we can’t pull off a win ….
this is a very good side in my opinion.we need to be clever with this side this year and play almost the same side every week and let the team pick up momentum. the only change in the coming weeks must be timmy,psd and ludik back in. i am very exited about this team and if we play up to our potential we will be there in the end of the tournament.
also like the idea that bash and hre will be taking over the coaching. it’s always nice to see some new ideas from the coaches.
@robdylan (Comment 9) : Eish Rob exactly the side i predicted, this is getting easy
well accept for 1, i thought only Bresler and Mcleod were being rested? so ludik rightfully also got a rest
So specman on the bench,time for the youngsters to step up, now is their chance
@Franshark (Comment 10) : I mean, FFS… Jebb Sinclair?
Looking forward to this game, nice to see some of the young guns get an opportunity! Come on boys, lets go rub salt in those fresh wounds!
@MikeVS (Comment 14) : it would be so flipping awesome if we could win again
@robdylan (Comment 15) : I think we are in with a good chance, they missing a few key forwards so I think we probably will
Weather forecast for Saturday – 16 degrees, 100% chance of rain, 60km wind. A day for diehards.
@Salmonoid (Comment 17) : Sounds like the perfect conditions to watch a game of rugga at Newlands…
I feel sorry for the kickers and players under the high ball
@Salmonoid (Comment 17) : 60kmh winds…..I see the good Cape Doctor is making his call again…..
That’s a pretty decent side! Looking at the Province side we’re up against, I’d give us the Favourites’ tag. Stoked for Deysel and excited to see more of the likes of Prinsloo, Sithole, Reinach and Mtembu. I also think our front row here is still better than WP’s first choice front row.
Is Viljoen going to be our Flyhalf for the CC campaign, or is Bosman the better bet, with Whitehead at 12 when he’s fit? I guess Hoffman is an option at 10 too?
So we should finally see what Reinach is made of during this CC. Only seen glimpses of him…interested to see him over a longer period!
@Villie (Comment 22) : Is it just me, or does his face look like that of a skinny Willem Alberts?
@Villie (Comment 22) : I’m a little worried that we’ll only get to see him stumble and fumble in the Newlands muck, before being benched for all eternity when McLeod comes back next week.
Seriously, they should take all serious rugby away from the Cape if they can’t guarantee weather that’s fit for purpose.
@MerckZ (Comment 23) : always reminded me a lot more of Ruan Pienaar
@robdylan (Comment 25) : http://www.sharksrugby.co.za/content.aspx?id=102891
@MerckZ (Comment 26) : that moustache is VUIL
15 of the 22 have come through the Academy and the Sharks youth structures… that’s a triumph!
@robdylan (Comment 24) : I don’t know Rob, there are those that hold that Rugby is best when played in a mud bath. Of course none of those are responsible for laundering dirty kit..
@Dancing Bear (Comment 29) : Steven Jones doesn’t count
Trying to understand Speckman via BBM is an impossible task, but we do what we can
@robdylan (Comment 27) : That tash makes it look like Tim should be tying a distressed damsel to the railway tracks. Maybe he was trying to endear himself to Snor? Or Dick Dastardly…
@robdylan (Comment 30) :
He doesn’t count for much of anything does he?
@Dancing Bear (Comment 33) : well, you can remove the “o” from count. He’s definitely one of those.
watch this if you need a good laugh http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw8C0HLq9xI
@robdylan (Comment 34) : hehehehe nice guitar in your avatar by the way.
getting excited about the currie cup, it is a strong comp where travel isnt a factor. go Sharks!!
@Dunx (Comment 37) : yup – I think i’s going to be good this year
@sharks_lover (Comment 35) : that was hilarious