Sharks under 21 coach Sean Everitt has named his side to take on Western Province in Saturday’s semi-final, a game that will serve as the curtain-raiser to the big Currie Cup clash between the Sharks and the Blue Bulls at Kings Park. Experienced loose forward Francois Kleinhans, though, will sit the match out as the result of an injury picked up against the Leopards last week.
Guy Alexander comes in to replace Kleinhans at the back of the scrum and will complete a strong loose trio, featuring Chris Cloete and Pieter-Steph du Toit at flank. The rest of the starting line up is unchanged from the one that handed the Leopards a 44-21 defeat last weekend.
Gavin Hauptfleisch continues at flyhalf this week, although there is good news for Fred Zeilinga, who returns via the bench for this game. Zeilinga has been out of action for the last fortnight after picking up an injury in training and the former Glenwood flyhalf will be keen to get back onto the paddock to increase his buffer at the head of the competition’s individual points scoring table. Under 19 scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer has also won a spot on the bench this week.
Sharks under 21s:
15. Jaco van Tonder , 14. Piet Lindeque , 13. Wandile Mjekevu , 12. Heimar Williams (Capt) , 11. Sizo Maseko , 10. Gavin Hauptfleisch , 9. Hanco Venter , 8. Guy Alexander , 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit , 6. Chris Cloete , 5. Stephan Lewies , 4. Brendon Groenewald , 3. Nick Schonert , 2. Franco Marais , 1. Danie Mienie , , Replacements: 16. Allan Dell , 17. Nicolaas van Dyk , 18. Khaya Majola , 19. Murray Bondesio , 20. Stefan Ungerer , 21. Fred Zeilinga , 22. Jared Meyer
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Losing Franna is a blow, but we should have enough up front to take these guys.
Has Tom Botha already left for Bayonne?
@robdylan (Comment 1) : ignore that stupid comment… didn’t realise Botha was no longer u21 anyway
It really is an incredibly talented team. One of our best chances to actually win the trophy. Hoping for three Sharks victories this weekend!!
@robdylan (Comment 2) : Did he play u19 rugby for the Sharks?
@robdylan (Comment 1) : He signed for Montpellier 2 weeks ago.
@Argex (Comment 4) : he did, yes
@robdylan (Comment 6) : Why did he decide to leave?
@Argex (Comment 7) : Saw more chances of game time in Cape Town. Not like the Sharks are short of young tight heads….
Will be following this game with interest.
WP starting with 10 players who are still eligible for the U21′s next year, and 3 that will still be eligible in 2014 (Jean Kleyn, Timo Swiel & Cheslin Kolbe).
Sharks with 6, and 1 that will still be in 2014 (Hanco Venter).
Should be a close game, but gotta tip WP
Luckily for Sharkies WP are down Steven Kitshoff, Scarra Ntubeni, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Wilhelm van der Sluys & Damian de Allende.