The Sharks have named their final 35-man squad for Super Rugby in 2013.
There really aren’t all that many surprises, with all the names included pretty much as expected. Of the 35 names, as many as 7 players are currently injured, leaving a group of 28 from which the opening match day squad will be selected.
Veteran centre Marius Joubert is the only “big name” casualty, as he is not named in the group. The bulk of the squad has been there before for the Sharks, with only Franco van der Merwe (on loan from the Lions) and youngsters Alaln Dell, Monde Hadebe and Peet Marais yet to play Super Rugby for the Shraks.
Full squad (* denotes currently injured player)
Willem Alberts *
Meyer Bosman
Jacques Botes
Anton Bresler
Craig Burden
Dale Chadwick *
Marcell Coetzee
Kyle Cooper
Keegan Daniel *
Allan Dell
Jean Deysel
Bismarck du Plessis *
Jannie du Plessis
Pieter-Steph du Toit
Monde Hadebe *
Wiehahn Herbst
Butch James *
Paul Jordaan
Ryan Kankowski
Pat Lambie
Louis Ludik
Jandre Marais
Peet Marais
Charl McLeod
Tendai Mtawarira
Lubabalo Mtembu
Lwazi Mvovo
Odwa Ndungane
JP Pietersen
Cobus Reinach
Sibusiso Sithole
Francois Steyn
Franco van der Merwe
Riaan Viljoen
Tim Whitehead *
seven players out already
I did not even notice the “big name” that’s how critical he has been for us!
Promising squad – would have preferred to see Butch in more of a mentorship role allowing another youngster into the squad.
So where is the incredible depth the Sharks supporters were raving about. A very good starting 15, and some useful cover n some positions.
No real depth at prop. Dell and Herbst are promising, but untested. Chadwick tested, and found wanting. Lineout work from Burden has been a worry.
The lfwd depth is already exposed. Sharks can’t afford any injuries in the 1st few weeks.
After Lambie? After Steyn and Jordaan? You have useful player in Bosman, and Joubert?
Better hope Tim recovers rapido
@KingCheetah (Comment 4) : How many other teams do you know of, able to still field a first class team despite having 7 injuries of whom 4 would normally be in the starting 15?
Yeah our depth is doing exactly what we’ve been saying it would.
@KingCheetah (Comment 4) : that’s kind of rich coming from a Cheetahs supporter. You have okes in your starting team that I’ve never heard of
A loose forward trio of Botes, Deysel, Kankowski/Coetzee is hardly lacking in firepower at this level. Add young talents like Mtembu and du Toit to the mix and it’s really an area of strength, IMO. And that’s without Daniel or Alberts
@FireTheLooser (Comment 5) : Fair point, just saying that even despite the depth, the Sharks season hinges on not having any injuries in the next three games!
@KingCheetah (Comment 4) : With how frail Goosen is id be worried buddy.
Aaaand Id rather have Meyer Bosman/Butch James/Rian Viljoen rather than Rian Smit
Or wait Elgar Wats?
@robdylan (Comment 6) : Too true. But then stirring does sometimes land you a dose of humble pie lol.
Good luck for the match.
@KingCheetah (Comment 11) : LOL
@KingCheetah (Comment 11) : With Megatron in short supply, it’s probably about time we got a new spoon around our neck of the woods.
@Talent (Comment 10) :
Watts has the potential to shine at flyhalf.
I know he’s been around the circuit a bit, but when you’re playing with no-name teams with backs that lack spark and packs who are light, it’s hard to conduct a game at a high level from halfback.
I tripped the ligh fandango
Turned cartwheels ‘cross the floor
I was feeling kind of giddy
Cause Marius Joubert is no more!