Pieter-Steph du Toit will make his long-awaited return to rugby this weekend, after an ankle injury sustained during the Super Rugby knock-out series has kept him on the sidelines for a few months.
The 19-year-old lock will start in the number 4 jersey for Sean Everitt’s Sharks under 21 side against the Lions, with Wade Elliot making way for him and replacing Braam Steyn on the bench. Danie Mienie comes back in at loosehead, with Nick Schonert moving back to tighthead and Maks van Dyk moving to the bench. Apart from these changes, the pack is unchanged.
Everitt has kept faith in the backline that played against Border last week as well, with Keelin Bastew enjoying another run at left wing in place of the injured Sizo Maseko.
On the bench, Maritzburg College wing Mzo Mbona has been bracketed with fetcher Chris Cloete; if the latter passes a late fitness test, he’ll make his return to the squad for the first time since injuring his medial knee ligaments in the opening round of the competition.
Sharks under 21
15. Jaco van Tonder
14. Piet Lindeque
13. Wandile Mjekevu
12. Heimar Williams (Capt)
11. Keelin Bastew
10. Fred Zeilinga
9. Hanco Venter
8. Guy Alexander
7. Brendon Groenewald
6. Francois Kleinhans
5. Stefan Lewies
4. Pieter-Steph du Toit
3. Nick Schonert
2. Franco Marais
1. Danie Mienie
Replacements
16. Duan Coertzen
17. Nicolaas van Dyk
18. Wade Elliott
19. Murray Bondesio
20. Gavin Hauptfleisch
21. Jared Meyer
22. Mzo Mbona / Chris Cloete
Awesome news.
Anyone know when JP is back?
1 more week for Ally,what has Braam Steyn done,he was in some pretty good form when the u21s started,now Guy has leapfrogged him
Couldn’t watch the U21 play last week. Was it the condition of the field that they played so late?
They did not want to ruin the field before the CC game. It was confusing, did not know if we were watching Rugby at Kings Park Rugby Stadium or swimming at the Kings Park swimming stadium
@Dunx (Comment 3) : yup… they moved the game to preserve the field for the seniors.
Rob, what’s your opinion on our lock situation for next year’s Super Rugby season? I do realise there’s a lot of time for things to happen between now and then, but if you were Rudolphus, would you be on the phone to Gerhard Mostert? Or backing PSdT, Bresler’s Mullet and the Marais Bros?
@MerckZ (Comment 6) : I know you asked Rob, but my opinion is that Bresler has shown his worth, and I think we can count on him in SupeRugby. I think it is important to back the Marais brothers, and PSdT, all are fantastic prospects and have shown they can perform at that level. That being said, it does leave us with a definite shortage of experience (the role Sykes filled when he was available). If I were Rudolph, I would be looking for some experience to bolster the second row and to provide guidance to our very talented youngsters. Just my opinion. I think Mostert would be a superb addition to the Sharks roster. Just my opinion and you know what they say about free advice, it is worth everything you spend on it.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 7) : Haha, all opinions welcome. The more diverse the better. I get the feeling that PSdT will be exceptional wherever he plays, but I really can’t tell if Plum considers Bresler a No. 4 or a No. 5 lock. Anyone worth pinching from the Lions?
Think we need to nick Pat Cilliers back and Gerhard Mostert.
Great stuff. Reaaly excited to see this guy playing again.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 7) : you keen on any of the Lions locks?
@robdylan (Comment 10) : those birdies whistleing in ur ear landed on ur earlobe yet Rob??
As for Lions locks?? i think they all becomming Bulls lol
@sharks_lover (Comment 11) : hey bro… you’ve been scarce. Hope all is well in the land of pointless mountains
BTW share damnit you have us on tenderhooks
@sharks_lover (Comment 13) : good thanks – just hanging like a mofo here, courtesy of very strong Belgian beer.
The story is up, dude… go have a look.
@robdylan (Comment 14) :
@sharks_lover (Comment 15) : keep smiling, keep shining, knowing you can always count on me!
For sure!