The Sharks have announced a strong side to take on the Lions in Durban on Saturday.
John Plumtree welcomes a number of returning Springboks to the side, with Beast Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis, JP Pietersen and Odwa Ndungane handed starting roles this week.
Johann Muller, who has been forced to sit the last few games out after experiencing some discomfort in the forearm he broke in the opening game of the season, will make his return off the bench this week, leaving Stefan Terblanche to captain the side from fullback. Steven Sykes will partner Albert van den Berg in the second row, with Alistair Hargreaves making way this week. Skipper Badenhorst will provide cover at hooker, with Pat Cilliers named as the reserve prop. Craig Burden is still a week or so away from fitness after injuring his AC joint against the Cheetahs. Deon Carstens has been omitted, presumably to allow him time to recover from the various niggles that have plagued him all season, while John Smit has also failed to recover from a niggling injury.
Jean Deysel is still a week away from his return to action, meaning that Keegan Daniel will start in a pacey, if somewhat light looking loose trio. Big Mike Rhodes will be on the bench and can be brought on if added bulk is needed. Jacqus Botes and Ryan Kankowski are are thier posts as usual.
The talking point amongst the halfbacks is the omission of Rory Kockott from the squad and it remains to be seen whether this is an injury or form related change. Ruan Pienaar and Juan Hernandez will again start, with Charl McLeod and Monty Dumond on the bench. Riaan Swanepoel will sit out for another week, leaving Adriaan Strauss and Waylon Murray as the unchanged centre partnership, with Adi Jacobs again in the number 22 jersey. Unlucky to miss out this week are Luzuko Vulindlu and (especially) Lwazi Mvovo, but when the Boks return, there are always going to be youngsters that have to make way.
The Sharks
15. Stefan Terblanche (captain)
14. Odwa Ndungane
13. Waylon Murray
12. Andries Strauss
11. JP Pietersen
10. Juan Hernandez
9. Ruan Pienaar
8. Ryan Kankowski
7. Keegan Daniel
6. Jacques Botes
5. Albert van den Berg
4. Steven Sykes
3. Jannie du Plessis
2. Bismarck du Plessis
1. Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements:
16. Skipper Badenhorst
17. Patric Cilliers
18. Johann Muller
19. Michael Rhodes
20. Charl McLeod
21. Monty Dumond
22. Adrian Jacobs
Tweet
No Riaan…
We really need at least 35 point win!!
@GI Ice (Comment 1) : good day ma’am
Must say i am surprised no Carstens , Mvovo or Cockott
One begs the question…
what if JMH got injured who would play flyhalf ??, as much as Monty has improved i still dont think he is S14 standard.
what if M Steyn got injured who would now play 10 for the Boks ??
Cockott with all this happening might end up leaving ?
I hope we are not shooting our selves in the foot here.
Interesting to see Smitty back at covering Hooker and TH
also mvovo has played so well for weeks now , and not even on the bench 😯
Good afternoon everybody
GO SHARKS !!!
@sharks_lover (Comment 2) : it’s just one game and Plum is still brining guys back in slowly. Let’s all calm down just a notch… 🙂
@Charlie (Comment 4) :
hello da Uncle Charlie!! 😀
@sharks_lover (Comment 2) :
Hi there
I dont see Smitty’s name..
@robdylan (Comment 6) :
Just that it’s getting to that stage of the season where nothing must be taken for granted. I’m comfortable with the squad though…we should score AT LEAST 3 in the first half…
@robdylan (Comment 6) : 😉
@blackshark (Comment 8) :
I hope tries and not points!! 😆
I have so much faith…and I hop this does not come back and bite me…35 pooints diffs!
@robdylan (Comment 6) : @GI Ice (Comment 7) :
How come I see John’s name now??? 😈 😉
@GI Ice (Comment 7) :
Sneaky Rob…
@GI Ice (Comment 10) :
Yes, TRIES off course.
I think I went for a conservative 18 points difference – but you have a shot on superbru so 35 it must be… 😉
@GI Ice (Comment 11) : bit of a glitch… I have changed it.
I copied the team straight from the Sharks press release, which had Skipper’s name in the 16 jersey. The website has John’s name…
I have emailed to ask for confirmation but am going to assume that it’s John.
@blackshark (Comment 12) :
i hope my windgatgeid does not lose me a few spots! 😆
@robdylan (Comment 13) :
Hey – no worries! we cannot always be perfect, but 95% of the time is not bad, you know! 😆
oh hang on… according to the Sharks media manager, it IS Skipper, not John…
@robdylan (Comment 16) :
So you WERE right.. 😆
@robdylan (Comment 16) :
Oops…in that case… the team SUCKS!!! 😛
@blackshark (Comment 18) :
Jis – I cannot believe Skeweneus Skipper has lasted this long…
@GI Ice (Comment 1) : no kockott?
@sharks_lover (Comment 2) : pienaar can move to FL if need be.
@rekinek (Comment 20) :
nope…I still think he is talented though…kick me if you want!
@rekinek (Comment 21) :
FL?
@sharks_lover (Comment 2) : Kockott, not cockott. And, if he’s off form, you don’t just pick him in case he throws his toys out the cot and ups and leaves.
This is not a game of friendly rounders where you choose the fat boy last.
@Baldrick (Comment 23) :
@GI Ice (Comment 22) : kick kick kick (remember the heels
i think kocky was one season wonder – but his goalkicking is very good. I hope he is doing some soul searching that will lead him to the discovery that he has teammates and let’s take it from there.
meant Flyhalf 😳 😳
@rekinek (Comment 25) :
Maybe it was because your mind was busy with naughty things like kick kick kick in high heels!! 😈
looks like a decent team to me, i heard that smittie has a slight neck injury
@GI Ice (Comment 26) : 😉
@war1 (Comment 27) : oj we need him.
Sharks must get 10 points from the next 2 games.
@war1 (Comment 27) :
heard it from a friend who, heard it from a friend, who heard it from another?? 😉 😆
@GI Ice (Comment 29) : read it somewhere, or was it my mother’s doctor’s cousin?
@GI Ice (Comment 29) : you’ve been messing around?
@robdylan (Comment 31) :
Its not Liriekeraai, Rob! 🙄 😆
@GI Ice (Comment 29) : i think it was on iol actually
thought I was the only one who loved REO Speedwagon 🙂
Just visited my Hero’s site…do you know how many AllBlack Fans there is in SA…??? and Most seem to be from teh Cape Area…WP really need to get 2nd place in the CC to gain some support back.. 😈
@GI Ice (Comment 35) : teh teh teh teh 🙄
@robdylan (Comment 34) :
I dont think there is many.. 😉
@Pokkel (Comment 36) :
It is a recognised word! 🙄
@robdylan (Comment 34) : Any news about why Adi isn’t starting….Stauss must be keeping him out of the team
Strauss had a good game though last week and he is definately looking better this year than how you make him out to be 🙄
@GI Ice (Comment 32) : is that the one with Solly Phielander?
Each month a registered user will be selected to be the Fan of the Month. The winner will get a piece of memorabilia from Dan and the opportunity to ask Dan that question you always wanted to ask!
Okay – hold thumbs that I get selected out of the 23 million (not surprisingly) mostly girls…
@robdylan (Comment 40) :
The one and only!
I use to be a fan of tractors. But not anymore.
Now I’m an ex-tractor fan. 🙂
@McLovin (Comment 43) : 🙄
@McLovin (Comment 43) : you’re just blowing smoke up my ass
@robdylan (Comment 45) : or taking it out
Ciao everyone!
See tomorrow!
@GI Ice (Comment 35) : Eh?
@GI Ice (Comment 41) :
“Okay – hold thumbs that I get selected out of the 23 million (not surprisingly) mostly girls… ” not true for the Cape supporters though, mostly men, by far.
@war1 (Comment 46) : yowser! 😯
@robdylan (Comment 50) : sorry took the whole “extrator fan” joke too far 😐
5km walk home from work.
10km run
Then Fish Eagle brandy.
Happy Thursday.
Clayton is out
Team doesn`t look too bad at all. Pity about John Smit of course and the loose 3 is a bit light. I`m sure they`ll get us that all important bonus point.
As soon as Plumb has options available to him, RK is dropped completely! I think Plumb has a few issues with his behavior.
Time to kick some LION but!!!
@mbayshark (Comment 55) : you said it, MBay 🙂
@provincejoulekkading (Comment 48) :
Dan Carter… 🙄
and its pretty obvious who’s gonna keep the CC, so WP will have to settle for 2nd spot – at least they wont be last and that might get them a few CT supporters back from teh All Blacks… 😉
@Salmonoid (Comment 49) :
I did not keep track with THAT one! 😆
@GI Ice (Comment 58) :good morning, u are here early 😆
@willa (Comment 59) :
‘allo da! Early bird catchd the worm..
And you, I suppose have a half day again….teeing of at about 12, are we??? 🙄 😉
morning!
are there any worms left
@rekinek (Comment 61) : none here
@GI Ice (Comment 60) : actually just heard were going right now…..wooohoooo!so i hope you all enjoy the long day at work im playing golf in about 30 min 😈
have a good weekend all!!!!
@rekinek (Comment 61) :
I always share! 😆
@willa (Comment 63) : life is just not fair ….
have fun.
@GI Ice (Comment 64) :
😎
@Rahul (Comment 54) : Who were the two scrumhalves last week when Plum had options?
@willa (Comment 63) :
What a life! 👿
Just on the Rory Kockott issue, there seem to be many knowledgeable answers as to why he was “dropped” and what he’s going to do (leave the Sharks). I read this week that Plumtree said there are no selections based on reputation, and Rory has not had a great season at all. Last week he came on and that coincided with a really poor half of rugby. The two games we lost – against WP also co-incided with really bad games from him.
By contrast, Charl has played well every time he has had an opportunity. We must also remember that Rory pretty much got selected ahead of Ruan this year and so is the ebb and flow or rugby. Hero to zero very quickly, you have to remain positive and prepare as best you can and then give it a full go.
If you’re not prepared to do that, fair neough, seek your fortunes elsewhere where you will actually encounter the exact same thing. People say he’s going to the Lions, but Vermaak is also highly rated.
Anyway, where is the proof he has thrown his toys and is threatening to go?
@Baldrick (Comment 68) : maybe the behavioral issues referred are what he is doing on the field. Though mind you no cards recently – must be due to a limited game time
I have not heard about Rory leaving. He does not have so many options in RSA. Sharks are his best bet, you never really know where Pienaar will play and I think Kockott can overtake Charl.
John Vlismas on Jacaranda this morning presenting Jou Ma se Nuus:
Yesterday, the first Afrikaans full language porn movie was launched in Johannesburg. This one should definitely get your rocks off.
😆 😆 😆
That made my day.
@klempie (Comment 70) : 😆 Heard about that. Kwaai n**i or something. 🙄
@McLovin (Comment 71) : Considering your avatar I’m very concerned about your tastes…
@McLovin (Comment 71) : Movie was shot in Pretoria.
Wonder if the guy was wearing polo socks and holy underpants. :mrgree:
@McLovin (Comment 71) :
Volume 1…apparently..
From Rapport
Daar word min Afrikaans gepraat, maar wanneer daar gepraat word, is dit bra kru.
En soos dit ’n seksprent betaam, het die akteurs ook verhoogname soos Pamela de Kock, Marc van der Gryp, Vicky Lus-cious en Du Preez Fourie wat daarin gesien kan word. Die rolprent is meer as ’n uur lank.
@McLovin (Comment 73) :
@GI Ice (Comment 74) : 😆 So there will definitely be a sequel?
@GI Ice (Comment 74) : are they gonna be more.
coming back to rugby. no comments about jp being back and mvovo missing out altogether.
Funky Frog produksies nogal. 🙄
I have to admit I’d love to hear some of the script. Must be hilarious. 😆
@klempie (Comment 72) : It’s a pic of one of my cousins. 😉
@rekinek (Comment 78) :
I am Sooooo Ggggaapppyyy about JP being back!! 😀
I think Mvov is back in the classroom…he need to learn not to run away from he’s support and to pass.. 😉
BTW – I was thinking it, and then Naas said it…
With PDivvie wanting to take the best squad on the EOY tour – they should take some up and coming young blood for midweek games….the EOY was always a chance for up and comings to show their worth for the future…how will this happen now?? The little bit of domestic rugby we have?? These youngsters of the furture needs exposure asap..
Just some strategy :
If Rose starts, and he is in the team line up if I`m not mistaken, then JMH, Ruan and Stefan need to capitalise on this.
I`m talking high bombs just outside his 22 all night.
Then our defense just come up in a line and he`s forced to kick.
Okay I have seen him launch some good kicks in the past, but knowing Rose it`ll only be a matter of time before he shanks one straight into touch and viola!
Also because our forwards are quite . .. light without Deysel I suggest we avoid our usual pick and drive inter-play early on and rather focus on moving their big pack around the field. So Ruan and JMH will have to chase them all over with clever kicks.
Then in the second half they`ll be tired out, we`ll get more possession I hope since we start with 2 fetchers and we can run them off their feet.
What do you guys think?
@GI Ice (Comment 82) : me too. I think its high time that plum decides who his best XV is and let them gel for the semis.
@GI Ice (Comment 83) : S14
@Original Pierre (Comment 84) : i am bit weary of too many up and unders – often it results in loss of possession and sharks defence being tested and the sharks getting tired.
i’d rather see some passing and driving.
@rekinek (Comment 85) :
There’s no way in hell that a coach would “bleed” a youngster in a S14 game just for the sake of it…this is best team or nothing rugby..IMO
@rekinek (Comment 86) :
I’d rather just see taking gaps and scoring tries!
@GI Ice (Comment 87) : looks more likely than EOYT (as it seems)
@Original Pierre (Comment 84) : have you seen who they’ve picked at 7? Minnie is not a big flanker at all…
@rekinek (Comment 89) :
I in essence agree with Pdiv to take a “proper” team, as I think in the past losing most games on the EOYT did more harm as these “new” okes were exposed to losing in what should be their proudest moment, and I think that is not good for confidence.
BUT – thats why I say take a good few okes with – organise midweek games against clubs perhaps..ease them into the thing..any other ideas?
@rekinek (Comment 85) : thats what he has done. he is just waiting on john, deysel and swannie to get back. you also have to realise there is no point in rushing guys that aren’t ready back. this is the team that will take us to the final.
@try time (Comment 92) : true, about not rushing back. but there is so little time left.
@GI Ice (Comment 88) : 😛
i’m not sure is that absolutely necessary
@rekinek (Comment 94) :
mmmmmmm….let me see…..mmm…maybe I shoudl ask the experts!! 😉 😆