JP Pietersen will start at left wing for the Sharks against the Cheetahs this weekend.
The Bok flyer has been passed fit to play, after injuring his thumb in the Super Rugby final and missing out on all rugby in the intervening months. He starts along with Odwa Ndungane and Louis Ludik in a phenomenally experienced back three, with Paul Jordaan switching back from left wing to outside centre.
Riaan Viljoen will be on the bench this week, after a less-than-stellar showing at pivot against the Blue Bulls, with Meyer Bosman and Tim Whitehead each moving up a jersey. Charl McLeod, surprisingly, starts at scrumhalf with the in-form Cobus Reinach relegated to a bench role.
Up front, the only change sees Jandre Marais start in the number 4 jersey ahead of Steven Sykes, who drops out this week. Marais’ younger brother, Peet, replaces him in the number 18 jersey and there’s also an opportunity for under 20 prop Allan Dell to make his mark with the seniors. He replaces Julian Redelinghuys in the number 17 jersey this week.
Sharks: 15. Louis Ludik , 14. Odwa Ndungane, 13. Paul Jordaan, 12. Tim Whitehead, 11. JP Pietersen , 10. Meyer Bosman, 9. Charl McLeod , 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. Kyle Cooper, 17. Allan Dell, 18. Peet Marais, 19. Lubabalo Mtembu, 20. Cobus Reinach, 21. Riaan Viljoen, 22. Sibusiso Sithole
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Nice to see JPP back. Pity he couldn’t be with the Boks this weekend.
Why is the Boks not released that is not part of the 22?
Will this be the first game for Dell with the senior team?
@Pokkel (Comment 3) :
Yes it will be..
@Rvw (Comment 2) : Only Heyneke can answer that question!
@Rvw (Comment 2) :
Because they would not have been part of training for the Union, which would make it unfair for them to only rock up to training today.
Also, the Boks need opposition when training..
Interesting that Sykes is completely dropped from the match 22.
I like the backing of the youngsters, should do our depth a great deal of good!
Really like that bacline excited to see 10 12 13 combo. Whitehead has been a bit quiet but I think he will be able to create a lot for jordaan
What’s the logic for Reinach being relegated to the bench?
it is sad for reinach dropping to the bench. Would have been great to see him with a good dry running game for a change he has done admirably in the torrential wet weather.
@Dunx (Comment 10) :
Have to agree with you..
He has done exceptional work in two swimming gala’s, and now gets rotated again..
Still, he has had a lot more time than I expected him to get, and with him showing such good form, I am looking forwarrd to him and McLeod fighting it out for Super Rugby starting caps..
@MikeSebMatt (Comment 9) : I’d like to know as well?
“with Meyer Bosman and Tim Whitehead each moving up a jersey.”
but I think we established that there is no logic in SA rugby. 
hmmmm… 12+1 = 13 and 13+1 =14
@MikeSebMatt (Comment 9) : see above
nice looking team
It’s a bit disappointing to see Reinach benched, but we need to keep an eye on the bigger picture I think.
He is now well established in the squad and, I’m sure, will be the backup in Super Rugby next year. Remember, he’s already leap-frogged a hell of a lot of guys to get to that point. Also, the Sharks are no longer talking about bringing someone else in.
McLeod is the senior scrummy and should probably get a chance in such an important away game. If Reinach continues to impress like he has, though, I have no doubt he’ll be ahead of McLeod – even at Super Rugby level – sooner rather than later.
@rekinek (Comment 13) : stop being pendantic – you know what I meant.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 11) : Charl usually have very good outings after spending some time on the bench so I hope on Saturday he will do well.
Welcome back JP!
Awesome backline.
@rekinek (Comment 13) :
If Marais can make 15 tackles in 22 minutes, how many can he make in 80?
The answer should be 54.5… let’s see
@robdylan (Comment 20) : let’s rather not as that would mean that the Sharks hardly have any ball.
are you now trying to show that you can count
Hoping that the Lions will stumble on the hard Kimberley pitch, then we get top spot and a home final. This will help our U21 team to play their final (if they make it) as a curtain raiser as well. Still gotta win our semi though. So sad that Reinach gets relegated after such a terrier like performance in utterly bad conditions.
A couple of things I don’t agree with:
- McLeod over Reinach
- Mtembu over Stander
Especially Reinach deserves more credit for the way he played.
@Bite me (Comment 22) : Not only do we have to win our semi but we also have to win the next 2 games first.
@robdylan (Comment 15) : I think its the coaches trying to keep both scrummies match sharp in the run up to the playoffs. I dont see it a slap in the face to Reinach and am sure he will get time on the field.
And most importantly, lekker to have JP back.
What the Plum??????????
Come oooooooon!!!!!
Cobus on the bench…..
So happy to see jp back….
@Franshark (Comment 27) : Cobus is the wet weather scrummie, so if it rains Sat he may play! But he has done well but Plum needs McCloed to be match fit hence the change. Fianlly Bosman and 10 with a creative player next to him, could be interesting. Jordaan v Ebersohn…..
Great to have Dell in the 22! Good luck with the Senior stuff!
Awesome to see JPP back too – seems he trained hard while he was off – he was basically buggered after training as per twitter each day!
Bit dissapointed in seeing Kosie being benched, and also a bit funny for Sykes to being dropped, seeing he is one of the seniors and this is one of our achilles games…
McLeod better pull up his socks. At the moment Reinach is far ahead of him.
I assume the logic with Dixon starting is for the scrums and lineouts. I liked the look of Hadebe though.
Like the look of that backline.
Is Dell a loosehead?
@KingRiaan (Comment 32) : dell is both
@robdylan (Comment 33) : Thanks Rob. I hope he gets some gametime. We seriously need depth at loosehead.
@KingRiaan (Comment 34) : agree
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 7) : The Witness sais Sykes is injured
I am so chuffed to see Ally get his chance with the Sharks senior team, so chuffed for him.
Ladies and Gentlemen,your future Sharks skipper, Allan Dell
@Ludz (Comment 37) : dammit, I can’t click “like” more than once!
@robdylan (Comment 38) : hahahahaha, boy deserves it, he’s really grown in leaps and bounds at the Sharks
@Ice (Comment 29) : I don’t think we will miss Sykes to much while Jandre is on the field. He is one for the future of the Sharks.
@Ludz (Comment 39) : yup… when I found out about this one last night I was literally running around the house punching the air in delight.
@JD (Comment 40) : Jandre is a big scary animal… can’t wait to see him truly worked up against the Cheetahs this weekend
@robdylan (Comment 16) : Please explain to Reki that what you meant was, the smaller the number gets, the more you “move up” in rugby. Vra maar al ons voories…
@robdylan (Comment 20) : Put into perspective, he was on the field at a very defensive part of the game for the Sharks. Let’s hope this isn’t the case re the Cheetahs game.
Yeah, not exactly what I would`ve done. Would`ve like to see
15 Ludik
14 Odwa
13 JP
12 Whitehead
11 Jordaan
10 Bosman
9 Reinach
@Original Pierre (Comment 45) : JP’s best position is wing. That’s where he hit golden form at the business end of the Super Rugby competition. Jordaan likes 13, let him play there.
@The Sharks Sharkie (Comment 46) : I agree… why play both of them out of position?
You’ll have to excuse me, am just too chuffed for Ally. Still can’t believe this time just 2 years ago we were both in the black and gold at Queen’s and now about to make his senior team debut
I find it very strange to comprehend how Dell who has spent the u/21 season so far on the bench gets a senior call up above both Minnie and Schonert..What message can this possibly send out?
@kagun (Comment 49) : hi Kagun – welcome to the site (apologies if you’ve been here before and I’ve somehow missed you)
Yes, on the surface, this does seem a little strange. I mean, after all, it was Nick who was called up to tour with the Sharks in Super Rugby when then needed cover. Then again, there was a very specific reason for that, as you may recall, because all of a sudden we had an injury crisis at tighthead and the priority was to have a guy who could hold his own at 3. Nick fits that bill and you may recall that I wrote a very angry article about the way he was treated on that tour.
Fast forward to the Currie Cup, though – and look at the wider picture – and it’s actually at loosehead that the Sharks are short of options. In Jannie, Wors, Julian, Nick and Maks we have a stunning depth of quality at 3… but at 1, the picture is less rosy.
My feeling is that Dell has been chosen simply because he can cover both sides of the scrum. It’s an unwritten rule that your bench prop MUST be able to scrum at tighthead, which Allan can do too, but my view is they probably want to give him a run at loosehead against the Cheetahs to give Dale Chadwick a break. Dale has played every minute of every Currie Cup game so far this year.
@kagun (Comment 49) : He can play both sides of the scrum, and he’s the only junior prop that can play both. While we never know what the coach is thinking, it’s interesting to note how Etzebeth a year ago was doing, he was on the bench of the u21 side for most of it and guess who got the senior call up for Stormers in January, Eben Etzebeth ahead of both Roux and Hugo who were the starters in the u21 campaign.
Interesting to note though…Schonert plays both loose and tighthead.Played loosehead Craven Week 2008 and then Tighthead at Craven Week in 2009.While Schonert has played tighthead for the Junior sides since 2009 he has infact had a game at loosehead this season for the U/21.Im not for one minute doubting Dells ability..I just feel its strange because Minnie is a loosehead should Chadwick be needing a break..and Schonert can cover both
@kagun (Comment 52) : ok – thanks, good to know.
Now that you mention it, I think I had been told that Nick could play 1.
The Sharks have so many good young props, though… going to be a real issue keeping them all happy. I wonder whether Schonert and Mienie are going to stick around next year, or look for opportunities elsewhere.
Can’t see logic in playing Dell – cleary he is behind Minnie and Schinert as he has only started once this season for u21′s and then got sub’d after 43 min. He only plays at best 30 min a week and then when he does gets red carded and misses 2 weeks. Whilst he does have potential he is now where near as good as either Minnie or Schonert. Not convinced our dear coach has got it right this week, See the replacing of Reinach as clear proof of this. Makes it difficult to support what is not our best team. Maybe Plum and HM have the same “logic”.
@kagun (Comment 52) : yeah I remember the game that Schonert played loosehead, it was during the period where Allan was suspended, Mienie was carrying a niggle at the time and Nic was played at loosehead with Maks at tighthead.
@Ludz (comment 51) Is Dell your brother???
Well I hope Dell gets a run.. Its what they all ultimatley strive for..and hopefully each man will get his day.
@snakeslayer (Comment 54) : let’s wait and see what he can do on Saturday.
@snakeslayer (Comment 56) : well you could put it like that, except am English and he’s Xhosa. He’s my man,very good friend of mine, was a year ahead of me at Queen’s
@snakeslayer (Comment 54) : you seem to have a personal problem with Dell…?
@Ludz (comment 56) well that explains the blind faith. Lets hope its rewarded. Just concerned of pushing a youngster in the front row to early. As Argex says “Vroeg ryp vroeg vrot”. Lets hope a promising career not ruined before it starts. Still can’t see the logig of starting ahead of Minnie and Schonert.
@Robdylan (comment 60) no I don’t just don’t believe he’s the next best we got – do you?
@snakeslayer (Comment 62) : I just wonder why you needed to get personal and bring up the red card… these guys are all youngsters and are all trying their best. They never pick themselves, so no need to have a go at them.
I think Allan brings something quite different to the other guys. He’s got leadership potential and is highly thought of by his peers and is by far the most versatile of the young props on offer. Lots of tightheads are able to do a a job at 1 from a scrumming perspective, but the loosehead game these days is about far more than just scrummaging and the coaches obviously feel that Dell ticks more of those boxes than Nick does.
@snakeslayer (Comment 61) : blind faith, haha you got jokes hey. Allan was part of the recently crowned Baby Boks. Think based on that we can say that we can say he’s a standout prop among his peers in the juniors, his skill set and mobility are ridiculous for a prop. Have you ever seen him pop in the scrum this year. He’s smaller than his fellow Sharks u21 props, but the mere fact that Plum was willing to give him the chance should tell you about his potential and obviously impeccable ability
if I were to pick one of the youngsters to come in and start at 3 – let’s say if Wors went down – then Nick would get my vote every day of the week.
If it was a case of Dale going down and needing a replacement at 1, then again I could understand the calls for Mienie to get a run (although I must be honest at this point and admit that I don’t rate Danie as highly as the other 3 props in the u21 squad).
To my mind, Dell’s ability to cover both sides of the scrum as well as add impact coming on swings the vote in his favour if we’re looking for a bench prop.
wise words robdylan…I see your point
@kagun (Comment 66) : don’t get me wrong, though… I’d still be cross if I were Nick or Danie, but hopefully that just motivates them to work even harder. They have a HUGE job to do in Pretoria this afternoon.
Sometimes opportunities come your way as much by luck as through skill or talent. Youngsters need to be patient and be ready to grab that opportunity when it does come.
@kagun (Comment 66) : could I ask you to email me at robdylan@sharksworld.co.za? I have something I’d like to discuss off site.