The Sharks have made 3 changes to the side that beat Griquas by 54 points last weekend. Johann Muller is back at the helm for the semi-final showdown against the Lions.
Muller was forced to cry off with a stomach-muscle strain and thus played off the bench last week. This week, the Sharks’ regular skipper is back at number 5 and will reclaim the captaincy from John Smit. The bok captain has been named on the bench as fiery Bismarck du Plessis starts at hooker. In the only other change to the starting team, Jean Deysel comes in at blindside flank for last week’s hat-trick hero, Keegan Daniel.
The pack boasts five players with Bok experience, with Springbok props Tendai Mtawarira and Jannie du Plessis joining the latter’s brother Bismarck in the front row. Steven Sykes is the only uncapped member of the tight five. Bok lock Albert van den Berg has been named on the bench, although he is bracketed with Nikolai Blignaut and will need to undergo a late fitness test, as he hurt his shoulder last weekend.
Ryan Kankowski is the other Bok in the pack and he joins Jacques Botes and Deysel in an exciting loose trio.
Ever member of the backline is a capped international, with Fred Michalak the sole non-Springbok. Some good continuity is finally being shown in the selection of the Sharks’ back division with the same exact 7 now playing together for a third week. In fact, the team as a whole shows only a single change to the one that beat the Lions by 14 points two weeks ago in Johannesburg. The exact same match 22 has been chosen now for three weeks in a row.
All-in-all, there are 11 Boks in the starting lineup with a further 4 on the bench, although that number will drop by one if van den Berg is unable to take his place in the 22.
Sharks team:
15. Stefan Terblanche
14. Odwa Ndungane
13. Adrian Jacobs
12. Francois Steyn
11. JP Pietersen
10. Frederic Michalak
9. Ruan Pienaar
8. Ryan Kankowski
7. Jean Deysel
6. Jacques Botes
5. Johann Muller (Captain)
4. Steven Sykes
3. Jannie du Plessis
2. Bismarck du Plessis
1. Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements
16. John Smit
17. Deon Carstens
18. Albert van den Berg/Nikolai Blignaut
19. Keegan Daniel
20. Rory Kockott
21. Bradley Barritt
22. Waylon Murray
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I’m very happy with that – wouldn’t change a thing.
See Plum has agreed with me 😛 having Bissie on the field is like having a fourth loosie, and he gets his basics right. Okai he could improve on his throws, but then Muller too needs to contest for Ball like Keegan does! I just hope though that Bissie proves me and Plum right on the field on Saturday 😐
it’s the right team… the same team beat the Lions two weeks ago and we didn’t play well that day. I don’t really see how much more they can throw at us
John must be on PdV’s rest programme.
WHile I believe the Lions are no push-overs, will enjoy the underdog status, and probably have one of the best defensive units around, I can’t see them matching the Sharks on attack. We have 5 effective ball-carrying forwards and exciting backs every one of them.
There seems to be a case to say an upset could happen, but my head and heart tells me the Sharks are going to be too strong on the day.
10 point winning margin.
There’s a pretty good article in the UK rugby world mag on Kanko & Spies. We are truly blessed with loosie talent in this country.
really hoping Big Al makes it, though… I’m just not a Big Nik fan anymore
@Baldrick (Comment 5) : From your lips to God’s Ears!
THIS is a HUGE mistake… 👿 👿
No complaints…they could structure that 22 any way they like and I’d be happy.
I don’t mind Smitty coming on later if it’s a close game and you need him calmness and leadership skills
@Ice Sharkadelic Babe (Comment 9) : ❓
@Pokkel (Comment 11) : 100 %
John smit should come on at the start of the 2nd haLf , and close out the game on the field
specially if its a close game to have him there at that time
@sharks_lover (Comment 13) : I’ll buy that
@robdylan (Go Sharks!) (Comment 14) : at a good price??
@Salmonoid (Comment 12) :
WOW!! I sound like a Shrink!
Great call by The Plum.
It’s all about continuity at this stage and Bissie has that with the side.
The pie-monster (Smit) doesn’t look like he could last a few game anyway and what better guy to have on the field than Smit to close off a game if it gets close at the end. Remember Fiji anyone? If smit started he wouldn’t be there in the end to close off the game.
@VinChainSaw (Comment 17) :
Ag jislaaik… 👿 Daar d**** jy nou my hele teorie in die water… 😉
@VinChainSaw (Comment 17) : that is key… and you are completely right. We lost in 2007 because Smit wasn’t on the field when it mattered.
@Ice Sharkadelic Babe (Comment 16) : Although I agree 100 % with you, and as you might know I have always advercated that JS is not only the best capt around, but best hooker as he does the basics of hooker play better then any other hooker.
But like I said before, I dont want JS starting and leaving the field after 60 min, then if the going gets tough right at the end he isnt on the field
also JS scrumming power will comming in handy in the final quarter, with him having fresher legs
hey why is evryone following my theory???? 😈 😈 😈
🙄
😆
@sharks_lover (Comment 21) :
Ja ja ok…it does make sense…YOU SEE I am BIG enough to admit when I MIGHT be wrong.. 😉
@robdylan (Go Sharks!) (Comment 3) : yeah hopefully adi and frans can sort themselves out. they both battled against the lions in the last game. oh and stefan hopefully has been practicing his tackling on a bag been dragged aroung the training field (at 60kms/hour)with nonthshinga’s face on it.
@sharks_lover (Comment 21) : I wonder where that theory came from 👿 👿 👿 see post 11 where it all started 😯
@Pokkel (Comment 24) :
Ag Pokkel…Jy moet smileys en goed gebruik…then your post wont go unnoticed.. 😈
@Ice Sharkadelic Babe (Comment 25) : Ek vra nou al lank vir n “shark” smiley of iets, dan sal ek hom altyd gebruik.
😐 😈 ➡ 😯 🙂 😕 😎 👿 😀 💡 😳 😛 🙄 😉 😥 😮 😡 🙁 ❗ ❓
Die “smileys” is net n mors van n muisdruk
@Pokkel (Comment 27) : stem 🙂
@Pokkel (Comment 27) : @robdylan (Go Sharks!) (Comment 28) :
Listen…those likes of lazy I do not believe i have seen before???!!! 😯
@robdylan (Go Sharks!) (Comment 7) :
Has he played a game this season?
Whip those sorry high altitude kitties butts….Viva Sharks of 2008, viva!
@try time (Comment 23) : If Steyn just pass the ball more often instead of giving Adi the scraps, then we would see a much better combo 🙄
@Pokkel (Comment 27) : Dit is soos muisbollie… 😆
Ok al yu fundies….give me margins here….Sharks By ? Cheetahs By?
No seriously…I need help in making my bru pics.. 😳
BTW POKKEL…the smileys does help to show the “tone” of the post…if you are being an ass or just kidding…you know? 😉
@Charlie (Comment 32) :
Hi Charles! I think Frans tried last weekend…as I said in a previous post…it seems like Adi had a bit of a keep the ball game last weekend.. 😕
@Ice Sharkadelic Babe (Comment 34) : I like keep everybody in suspence
@Charlie (Comment 32) : I agree. The sharks would be devistating if Frans could distribute like Jean dV. Actually , lets buy Jean
@Pokkel (Comment 37) : and Bakkies
@Pokkel (Comment 37) : put Steyn where he should be with his skill levels………Fullback
@Pokkel (Comment 24) : lol pokkel although i agree trust me rob knows i been fighting for john smit for a long time
@Ice Sharkadelic Babe (Comment 34) : sharks by 12 bulls by 15
i just cant see the cheetahs beating the bulls at moftus
@sharks_lover (Comment 41) :
Thanks SL..thats about what I had in mind.. 😎
Anyone want to disagree?? Speak up NOW..please..pretty please! 😀
@sharks_lover (Comment 41) : I also can’t see the Final not being between the Sharks and Bulls. And how sweet that victory will be……and there everybody goes and agrees with your theory again 😉
@Ice Sharkadelic Babe (Comment 42) : Yes Sharks by 35 and Cheetahs by 5
@Pokkel (Comment 44) :
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR 👿
@Ice Sharkadelic Babe (Comment 42) : sorry confused. Sharks by 61 and bulls by 1
@Ice Sharkadelic Babe (Comment 45) : Ok this is my final answer………………………..make your own bloody picks 👿
😉
@bryce_in_oz (Comment 30) : he played a few games in the early rounds.
I’ve just been informed that Nik has been through a pretty hectic personal tragedy in the last few months, so I think in light of that, it’s really not fair to rate his performances.
@McLovin (Comment 6) : Is that article available on the web?
@Pokkel (Comment 49) : i don’t think so. 😥
@Pokkel (Comment 49) : It’s on page 120 of the magazine.
Meet the new breed of No 8s – Boks Pierre Spies and Ryan Kankowski
@Pokkel (Comment 47) :
WYSNEUS! 😉
@McLovin (Comment 51) : Jeez the page number really help…now where do I get the Mag in Newcastle , KZN , South Africa. Scan it and mail it to us.
@Ice Sharkadelic Babe (Comment 52) : Kyk my prentjie…dis hang ore en horingtjies
Cheers all, I REALLY need to start doing some work.
@Pokkel (Comment 54) :
@Pokkel (Comment 55) : I really need to stop working
@Pokkel (Comment 53) : I’ll think about it.. 😉
@Ice Sharkadelic Babe (Comment 35) : @Pokkel (Comment 37) : Switch Adi to 12 & Frans to 13… 😉
@Pokkel (Comment 24) : Actually, if you check Robs “Hooker” article of yesterday you will see that I predicted and agreed with this particular team with smitty coming on [email protected]Ice Sharkadelic Babe (Comment 42) : I think the Bulls Cheetahs game will be much closer with the Bulls just pulling it through, but I might make by SBru pick the other way around just because that’s what I’d prefer. I believe the Sharks should win with 10 or 15 points.
I just had to take credit for the John as a replacement idea, I was the only one who supported and backed this idea with reasoning yesterday.
@Letgo (Comment 60) :
thanks letgo! 😉
@Letgo (Comment 61) :
You see…anything men think they can do…woman do better!! Woman’s LIB!!
@Charlie (Comment 59) :
Okay Charlie – ek sal gou vir plum vra! 😉
@Letgo (Comment 61) : I didn’t read all the comments yesterday, but I like the way you think. Anyway congrats on your article. A lot of comments for your fisrt article on Sharksworld. 😎
@Pokkel (Comment 63) : Thanks Pokkel, it almost feels like everyone is going really easy on me now because it was my first article and then next time they’ll really let me have it. 😐 Maybe I’m a little paranoid 😕
But really thanks, I appreciate it a lot.
@Letgo (Comment 64) : We always gonna have different view’s and you shouldn’t let that upset you. It just encourages healthy debate. What would we talk about if we all agreed. It would be boring as hell. 😆
@Pokkel (Comment 65) : So True.
@Letgo (Comment 66) : so now you’ve broken your duck… don’t stop there 🙂
@Letgo (Comment 64) :
It was a really good article and well-written.
You’ll get plenty of stick at some point, don’t worry. You learn to take it on the chin and it’s a bit of a compliment if somebody takes the time to dismantle your article as it means they’ve taken it seriosuly and have given it some thought.
Keep up the good work letgo!
@robdylan (Go Sharks!) (Comment 67) : No pressure though right 😕
I have so many things to say, but I never think anyone would be interested in what I have to say, so I just bother my mom with all of it.
@Letgo (Comment 69) : no pressure 🙂 Don’t want it to ever stop being fun…
@robdylan (Go Sharks!) (Comment 70) : 🙂 😀