The Sharks team to face Western Province this weekend shows a number of changes after Saturday’s away loss to Griquas.
Winger Rosco Speckman will finally make his debut for the Sharks, after being unused on the bench twice this season. The in-form Rovers man will start in the number 11 jersey this week, with S’bura Sithole named on the bench. Another rotational change amongst the backs sees Cobus Reinach rewarded for superb form against Griquas, with a start ahead of Charl McLeod.
In the third change, Tim Whitehead returns at outside centre in place of the injured Paul Jordaan.
Things are more stable up-front, with Pieter Dixon replacing Monde Hadebe in the only change to the starting pack. Keegan Daniel takes over the captaincy from Jean Deysel and we’re told that there’s a slight chance that the latter may miss out altogether, with Brynard Stander primed to take over in that case.
Speaking of Stander, he’s the only loose forward replacement on the bench, with Francois Kleinhans asked to play for the under 21s this week. That side has thus been updated, with Kleinhans starting at 6 and Murray Bondesio replacing Braam Steyn on the bench.
Sharks:
15. Louis Ludik, 14. Odwa Ndungane, 13. Tim Whitehead, 12. Meyer Bosman, 11. Rosco Speckman, 10. Riaan Viljoen, 9. Cobus Reinach, 8. Keegan Daniel (Capt), 7. Jean Deysel, 6. Jacques Botes, 5. Anton Bresler, 4. Jandre Marais, 3. Wiehahn Herbst, 2. Pieter Dixon, 1. Dale Chadwick
Replacements
16. Monde Hadebe, 17. Julian Redelinghuys, 18. Peet Marais, 19. Brynard Stander, 20. Charl McLeod, 21. Marius Joubert, 22. S’bura Sithole
Is Francois Kleynhans dropped?
Interesting changes!
Reinach getting the start!
@Argex (Comment 1) : he’s with the under 21s
Rob, you called the Sithole move.. Well done!!
Interesting that Kleinhans goes to the U21′s even though Deysel might not start at all..
@robdylan : But isn’t Stander also still u\21? Or is it just maybe to give Stander some extra game time since Kleynhans has come off the bench quite a lot this season?
@Argex (Comment 6) : no – Stander is not still u21
@robdylan : Now it makes sense. Thanks for the info. I think this shake up of the team is brilliant in terms of complacency!!
Happy to see Renach starting, I hope he makes the no9 shirt his own or at least gets McLeod to lift his game like Kockott did a couple of seasons ago. Was looking forward to see more of Stander, impressive young lad. I hope he gets more than 10 minutes this week
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 5) :
What was the reason for Sithole getting dropped? Sorry I didnt watch the Kwas game but how did Rob call it?
@John Galt (Comment 10) :
He has been disappointingly one-dimensional. I think he’s got the physical attributes, but he needs to use more initiative and creativity in how he plays.
I thought Hadebe was playing pretty good, is this change for stability/experience or is Hadebe being dropped because the coach is not happy with his form?
Another bench spot for Brynard Stander. Good to see! He deserves a chance. I hope he can really spark and make the Super Rugby squad next season. He has been unlucky with injuries but who knows what he still has to offer. He was very impressive against the Bulls.
Does Redelinghuys have a guardian angel?
What other props do we have? And to be honest… Redelinghuys hasn’t even played more than 10 minutes in a match. Give him some time.
There are some youngsters that could do no worse and why not start blooding them now. I am concerned if given more time he could do more damage.
Nick Schonert would be a better option, but what can we do about it?
Agreed – lets hope his time comes sooner rather than later
It is good to see reinach in, why not give mccleod a rest and bring hoffman in does anyone know what happened to him? we cant have a player earning without using him?
Hoffman was brought to the Sharks with much fan fare, yet he has failed to impress. I would only play him to give Charl a rest. But damn this Reinach laatie is one heck of a player. I really enjoy watching him play
@Dunx (Comment 19) : Maybe Hoffman is in negotiations with the Kings.