There’s a bit of good news coming out of the Sharks camp this week, with regular skipper Johann Muller odds on to return to the side to face Griquas this weekend. Muller has been out of the game for five weeks after breaking his arm in the opening match of this year’s Currie Cup.
First-choice halfback pair, Rory Kockott and Juan Martin Hernández may also be passed fit to play, although all three will need to come through fitness tests on Thursday before the side is finalised. The halfback cupboard is certainly looking a less bare than it was a few weeks ago, though, with both Charl McLeod and particularly Monty Dumond really putting their hands up in the absence of the more illustrious regulars. McLeod’s service is second to none and his ability to get the ball out to the backline quickly is a boon for the Sharks. Dumond has been brave on attack and defence, with an unerring boot as well.
It’s up front where the Sharks are likely to struggle, though, with no fewer than 6 props either unavailable due to Springbok commitments, or doubtful due to injury. John Smit, Beast Mtawarira and Jannie du Plessis are all with the Boks, while Wiehahn Herbst has now joined Deon Carstens and Pat Cilliers on the injured list. The under 21s have a bye this week, which may well prove to be a blessing in disguise, as Dale Chadwick, Julian Redelinghuys and Sabelo Nhlapo might find themselves pressed into service for the senior team. As baptisms of fire go, they won’t come much tougher.
Speaking of Jannie du Plessis, by the way, I see out old pal Gavin Rich now reckons that Western Province are poised to make an offer to both him and his brother. This is hardly surprising news, since Province are currently trying to buy anything that isn’t bolted down. The du Plessis brothers, unhappy with their lot in Durban, have been punting their combined CV up and down the country in recent months and with the Bulls showing no interest, it’s only inevitable that the Rupert money pot would inevitably come into the picture. I understand that they are still speaking to the Sharks as well, though, so this may again be a ploy to force Rudolf Straueli’s hand. While a move to Province would benefit Jannie immensely, since he would have no competition for the number 3 jersey, it is unlikely to do the same for Bismarck, since Tiaan Liebenberg is currently entrenched at hooker and playing out of his skin.
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do u know why they are unhappy?
Is 5 weeks enough for a broken arm??
I thought the du Plessis brothers loved Durban?
@willa (Comment 1) : mo’ money…
WP musn’t forget to throw in a bunkbed and matching dungarees for the duppie bros.
They’re mos close.
@Pokkel (Comment 2) : was thinking the same, isnt it lik 8 weeks plus
@Pokkel (Comment 2) : @willa (Comment 5) :
Upper arm (humerus) 4-10 weeks
Lower arm 6 weeks
Wrist 4-12 weeks
from auntie google.
@McLovin (Comment 6) : upper arm must be bloody sore
muller is the crappest captain i’ve ever seen! Didn’t he gave a plate inserted onto his wrist or something? He’s trying to play the captain courageous role…ha ha ha
@willa (Comment 7) : Ooh yes. š
@McLovin (Comment 6) : All good and well, but I’m sure those facts don’t take into account that he plays rugby and he is a lock forward that plays a very physical game. š
Where do you get the time? š
@Pokkel (Comment 10) : He’s obviously made of sterner stuff. š
@willa (Comment 7) : not as easy to break, though.
@CapeShark (Comment 3) : correct. They think they’re worth a lot more than they’re being paid.
Also heard that Jannie doesn’t like John Smit and can’t stand playing second fiddle to him. Just a rumour, of course.
@robdylan (Comment 12) : i would love not to find out…ever
@robdylan (Comment 13) : if that does happen we will have a major hooker problem
@McLovin (Comment 4) :
LMAO!
@robdylan (Comment 13) :
Jannie can leave anytime, but Bismark would be a huge loss. Pay the boy more if we have to.
@willa (Comment 15) : You’ll still have Skipper. š
@Big Fish (Comment 16) : I think that’s part of the problem – it’s a classic double-team. I don’t think the Sharks would really mind getting rid of Jannie, but they come as a package. They would probably agree to pay Bismarck more but feel that Jannie isn’t worth more
@McLovin (Comment 17) : no need to be rude š
@willa (Comment 15) : we’ll find out exactly how good Kyle Cooper is š
To be fair the Sharks ae just buggering Jannie around withe the constant rotation of the front row. Having said that Jannie has been shoved around quite a bit lately so his form isn’t up to scratch either.
The DuP brothers can always move back to Bloem ā
@robdylan (Comment 18) : package deals suck, I would definately not mind Jannie joining WP but I quite like Tiaan and Deon as backup so no need for Bizzy.
Would you believe it??
Monty Dumond is in the rugby365 CC team of the week.
Other Sharks
15- Stefan
4- Syksie
How much do the DuP bros want?
@Loosehead (Comment 21) : ja right… they will have to sell the stadium to afford them.
@Pokkel (Comment 23) : so they don’t have Andries Strauss this week?
check this out… guaranteed to bring a smile http://ow.ly/kx5g
@robdylan (Comment 26) : sadly ..no š
@Pokkel (Comment 28) : wow… maybe they actually watched the matches this week.
@Big Fish (Comment 16) : @robdylan (Comment 18) :
My thoughts exactly…if they come in a Buy one get two package, they gonna stay right where they are…
Actually I think this is pretty pathetic…two grown men that wear each others clothes, wanting to stay side by side and are brothers… šÆ Maybe they should move to Brakpan or Boksburg and play for the Valke!! š
@Prof. Ice Babe(Super Girl) (Comment 30) : and they even help each other to bed. Imagine what will happen one day when a woman comes between them!
Don’t they have wives or girlfriends?
Jannie appears to have a women in his life but Bismarck still footloose and fancy free.
Or gay.
@robdylan (Comment 31) :
God Forbid… š³ Dit gaan ‘n redelike ‘gescrum” afgee!! š
Sorry – I am a family person too – very close to my family – but this is almost unhealthy!!
*a woman. š³
@McLovin (Comment 35) :
Is hokay – most woman get schizophrenic once you start dating anyway.
@robdylan (Comment 27) : Nice to watch that again. It should be nominated for best try of the year
Found an ‘interview with Bis.
When you are not rugby training, what do you like to do in your spare time?
Spend time with my brother Jannie du Plessis and we love the beach.
š
Wonder if the have matching buckets & spades.
@Big Fish (Comment 36) :
@McLovin (Comment 39) : LOL š
The Sunday Times, or ewas it Rapport, reckon they are perfectly happy in Durban but just not happy about Jannies game time.
@McLovin (Comment 39) :
Is THAT what you call it nowaday?? š
@Salmonoid (Comment 42) : oh really? Ok… well, if that’s the case, then great.
But Jannie is up against the incumbent Bok tighthead in Durban, so he needs to be realistic. Then again, John is only signed up with the Sharks until the end of next year anyway. After that, who knows?
@Prof. Ice Babe(Super Girl) (Comment 43) : Call what? š
@Loosehead (Comment 21) : Neither of Bissy, Jannie, Smitty, Deon or Beast got seriously injured. That’s not bad for a front rower in a Super 14.
5 players in three positions were exceptionally well managed:
Bismarck played 12/13 (9 starts)
John 13/13 (8 starts)
Jannie 13/13 (9 starts)
Beast 11/13 (7 starts – missed 1st game – possibly carrying an injury)
Deon 13/13 (6 starts).
I think if any front rower can get that much game time and not pick up injuries because of not being over played, he should be really happy.
A front rower simply cannot handle the full season’s load.
@Prof. Ice Babe(Super Girl) (Comment 43) : Did you see Fransie Steyn’s new hairdo on the cover of Sports Illustrated? A huge improvement. š
@Salmonoid (Comment 42) : See my comment 46
@McLovin (Comment 47) : Looks like an effeminate soccer poser
@Baldrick (Comment 49) : š To be honest just about any style would be an improvement on what he had.
@McLovin (Comment 47) :
No – will have to chck it out!
@Baldrick (Comment 49) :
The “Blow-waved straight” ?? LOLOLOL …**wondering what styling product Frans Verstaan uses to get it so perfectly straight**
I reckon he must maar go for the Boerseun, number 2 on the sides, number 4 on top…
@Prof. Ice Babe(Super Girl) (Comment 52) : number 2 on the sides, number 4 on top works for me, but mother nature is slowly but surely giving me a number 0 on my crown. š„
@McLovin (Comment 53) :
You and many other!!!
Just say you are Jewish and its your natural Yarmulke!! š
@Baldrick (Comment 48) :
I did and I agree. Also if he was not in and out of the Bok squad (where he is really getting no game time) he would be clocking up the games in the Currie Cup.
Jannie Dup is overrated!!
He might be a good scrummager but other than that he offers nothing in the loose.
@wpw (Comment 56) : call up your megalomaniac coach and tell him that.
@wpw (Comment 56) :
YEAH!!!!!! Hoor!Hoor!!! š
You all know I do not have much time for Jannie…
@Prof. Ice Babe(Super Girl) (Comment 58) : well, he is a bloody good scrummager
@Salmonoid (Comment 55) : Geez so much for my research into playing stats to justify an argument. Next thing we’re talking romantic walks on the beach and hairstyles.
@Prof. Ice Babe(Super Girl) (Comment 58) : We going to a strip joint?
@robdylan (Comment 57) : Rassie Abromovich.
@Baldrick (Comment 61) :
i dont know! Are we?? š Is that the way you normally behave at one?? šÆ
@Baldrick (Comment 60) :
We took notice – dont worry – and good point BTW..
@Prof. Ice Babe(Super Girl) (Comment 63) : You’re the one who mentioned hoors!
You took notice but changed the subject š„
I’m hungry!! š
@wpw (Comment 65) : me too š
@Baldrick (Comment 60) : Hey Baldrick I said I agreed with you, your stats are appreciated and prove a point. In modern rugby maybe its not such a bad thing not to be running on in every game. It might be an ego thing. Maybe the players are pissed off because they are not picking up injuries, therefore less downtime.
@Baldrick (Comment 64) :
Need some spelling lessons?? š
I only changed the subject cuase I agree with your facts..so no need to pursue it any further – I cannot dbate and fight with you if I agree with you, now can I?? š
@wpw (Comment 65) :
i made myself a gourmet sarmy!! š
@Prof. Ice Babe(Super Girl) (Comment 69) :
šæ
@Salmonoid (Comment 67) : I got that and appreciate the feedback! Was just hoping more people might be prodded to add something.
@Baldrick (Comment 71) : Jannie could also do with some styling in the hair department.
@McLovin (Comment 72) :
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Baldy gaan jou nou Blixem!!
@wpw (Comment 70) :
Sorry, Wessie!! Dit was niks spesiaal nie – Cruncged wheat brown bread, lettuce, tomatoe, Cheese, loads of black pepper…pretty plain really – MAAR BAIE LEKKER!!! š
@Baldrick (Comment 71) :
With ALL DUE RESPECT, Baldy…you said it ALL! Really – I mean it. A point extremely well made.. š
Can someone please explain the Rupert/Province connection?? Second time I’ve seen it.
@klempie (Comment 75) : If we told you we’d have to kill you. š
@klempie (Comment 75) :
Hulle Koop so lekker, want Rupert Gee so lekker…
@Prof. Ice Babe(Super Girl) (Comment 77) : Obviously, but is a Province Union shareholder or something?
@klempie (Comment 78) : kind of a shady mystery benefactor
actually, Rupert owns SAIL, which owns a quarter of the WPRU
@robdylan (Comment 80) : Thank you.
@klempie (Comment 81) : my pleasure