The Sharks will be taking a 24-man squad to New Zealand to face the mighty Crusaders in Nelson on Saturday, in the second of two qualifiers of the Super Rugby competition taking place this weekend. There have been no real surprises in the make up of the squad, with the only big name staying at home being Steven Sykes, who has failed to recover from injury.
21 of the match 22 will take the flight to New Zealand, with Marcell Coetzee falling away and Jacques Botes, Odwa Ndungane and Eugene van Staden making up the 24 man squad.
There was a slight scare in the Sharks camp as news surfaced that players wanting to play in the playoffs needed to have been in at least four match 22’s before, and with Fred Michalak only playing in three of the pool games, special dispensation has been received to play the player at the weekend.
Coach John Plumtree is happy to have an almost full strength squad for the first time this season, and was quoted as saying that he would have liked to take Sykes with as he woiuld have come in handy in the difficult playing conditions in New Zealand at this time of the year.
The 24 man squad flying tonight:
Forwards:
Willem Alberts
Jacques Botes
Keegan Daniel
Jean Deysel
Bismarck du Plessis
Jannie du Plessis
Alistair Hargreaves
Wiehahn Herbst
Ryan Kankowski
Beast Mtawarira
Gerhard Mostert
Ross Skeate
John Smit
Eugene van Staden
Backs:
Meyer Bosman
Adi Jacobs
Pat Lambie
Louis Ludik
Charl McLeod
Fred Michalak
Odwa Ndungane
Lwazi Mvovo
JP Pietersen
Stefan Terblanche
Tweet
No JLP…Is he injured or just left at home?
JL Potgieter probably never should have left the Cheetahs…
Why not go straight to Nelson and settle in rather than travelling up for a day?
Wow – would have been bloody scary had they told us Fred had to stay at home! Glad common sense has prevailed
@siorc (Comment 3) : Nelson probably doesn’t have a big enough hotel
After we win this one who do we play in the semi, Stormers or Reds? Theres some conflicting views out there.
LMAO @ comment5 Robdylan! 😆 😆 My feeling would be the Crusaders waived the problem of Freddy not allowed to go. They would have been consulted.
@Stu (Comment 6) : according to the program I’ve bin using all season (sport24) team1(reds) play lowest qualified playoff winner
team2(stormers) play highest qualified playoff winner
@Stu (Comment 6) : we’ll play the Reds after we beat the Crusaders.
It works like this…
Because Reds ended first, they will face the lowest-placed qualifier to win the first-round knock-out. Since we ended 6th, we are de facto the lowest placed.
@Caratacus (Comment 7) : I think you’re probably right… again just shows what a great bunch of guys they are.
Thanks guys, so its not impossible in terms of travel.
Yeah give it to the Saders, no matter what you just can’t hate them 🙂 Through all they went through this year, they still managed to dazzle us with their skill and now they show what great sportsmen they are by not moaning about Freddie playing. But I still hope we beat them! 😉
@KingRiaan (Comment 12) : oh yeah mate… they’re nice boys, but I still hope to crush them by 100 🙂
@Stu (Comment 11) : not a mission impossible at all, maybe a mission not so easy 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 13) : Lets not be nasty, 99 points will do
Hey I love the Crusaders but let’s not romantacise its not like the Sharks refused to travel halfway around the world to help them in their fund raiser 😉
Heres a question for all Sharks supporters. As we all know, recent news has suggested the Sharks are going to make an attempt to sign Nonu. This will obviously be an expensive signing. My question is this, although i agree the Sharks need depth at center and the youngsters in the under 20s are probably a year or two away from being ready for top action, wouldnt it be better for the Sharks to make a play at a) Frans Steyn who can play 12 as well as several other positions, or b) Brad Barritt whos non-selection in both the extended England world cup squad and English Saxons squad would imply he is nowhere in Englands international plans and may just consider a move back home. What does everyone think?
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 17) : I will take anyone ahead of Nonu….our problem is also not 12 at this moment, more 13..
@robdylan (Comment 13) : if we trash them by 1 ill be happy 🙂
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 17) : Even though it will be nice to have Nonu here, I don’t think it will happen. But Frans Steyn I think will come back one of the days. Not sure Barrit will.
@Ice (Comment 18) : Well, at 13 the Sharks have already signed Marius Joubert, have Adi Jacobs and Stefan will not go without kicking and screaming, so in my mind, that is covered in the short term. At 12, there is Meyer Bosman and… I guess maybe Swannie if he decides not to stay in Europe. But noone else.
I would have Barrit any day of the week, not so sure about Steyn unless his attitude has changed, and loses some weight he is looking a bit of a porker @ moment
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 17) : your implication about Barritt is wrong. He is in Durban recovering from a hernia operation, which is why he’s not in the England squads at the moment.
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 17) : Both players have burnt their bridges but for different reasons.
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 17) : you’ve got my vote for sure..
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 21) : Lambie, Michalak
@Ice (Comment 26) : JLP to add
@robdylan (Comment 23) : Oh ok. I just saw the squad announcements. So from your sources, is Barritt being considered by Martin Johnson in the long term? If so they have a strange way of showing it, as he has made some limited Saxon appearances, but hasnt cracked the six nations squad the past year or so.
@Ice (Comment 26) : Lambie maybe, but why use him there when he is clearly the future at number 10. Also, if he played there consistently who would be 10? Michalak is not a number 12. He may be experimented there, but has very little (or no) experience there as far as I am aware. JLP would seem to be wishful thinking. he has produced precious little in a sharks jersey to get excited about and I predict he will soon be winging his way out of Durban for another shot at a starting berth elsewhere.
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 29) : Just saying in as much as you say 13 is covered in the “short term” – so is 12… 😉
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 28) : Brad is most definitely in the England picture, yes.
@Ice (Comment 30) : Fair enough… I guess my post was more reflecting the Nonu issue, which is a number 12 [email protected]robdylan (Comment 31) : Ok, pity. Frans Steyn then? 😀
@war1 (Comment 24) : How?
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 32) : You want Rob to hurl???? 😯
@Ice (Comment 34) : Why the Frans Steyn hate? He won a world cup at 12. Can kick the ball further than Peter Grant, Elton Jantjies and Sias Ebersohn combined. He can carry the ball up strongly, can tackle and has a pretty good step. Ok sure, his brain only engages for between 50 and 70% of the game and he needs to stop eating at the buffet table with Ricky Januarie, but he could add serious value in the midfield. He has also come through the Sharks structures and he owes the Sharks for not KICKING THE BALL THE F%&K OUT in 2007.
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 35) : 🙂
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 35) : hey – i did not say I hate Frans Steyn…now go and re-read my comment! Damnit! 😆
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 35) : Yip, he needs to pay his dues. Never again will I say ‘there is not enough time for them to come back’ 👿
Might be a case for playing both Alberts and Deysel this weekend. All depending on conditions but I imagine at this time of the year, it’s going to be damp and miserable!
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 33) : yeah – also want to know what Barritt did to burn his bridges
@Ice (Comment 37) : No no, I wasnt accusing you of hate. I was referring to the general hate for Frans Steyn amongst Sharks fans. Sorry if I didnt get that clear. Hay veces cuando mi Ingles no es muy claro. Lo siento.
@robdylan (Comment 40) : I know poor guy. He even came back to help the Sharks out of an injury crisis in 2009 getting injured in the process. In my mind, his loss is still one of the biggest Sharks mistakes in personal management in recent times.
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 41) : I’m a big Frans Steyn fan and would love to see him return to the Sharks at some point. Was in Bloem to watch the CC semi a few years back and his tackle on JW Jonker was a monster..saved a certain try and I don’t think Jonker was ever the same after that. The guy is a super talent. Was also in Dublin to watch his Bok debut where he played on the wing and was exceptional.
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 35) : And do not forget the conversion. 🙄
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 41) : Frans Steyn for President!. If i could have Ruan Pienaar (9), Pat Lambie(10) and Frans Steyn(12) in one team I would be a very happy girlie…I think they could be an awesome combination. I would also include Riaan Viljoen at 15, The World’s Best 13, Jaques Fourie obviously, JP at 14 and Mvovo at 11…unstoppable backline I reckon…
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 42) : I agree – but IMO his move was to do with a chance of National Selection. But the SHarkies took a long time to recover from his loss.
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 41) : 😆
@Villie (Comment 43) : 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀
@Honey Badger (Comment 44) : See, you just had to go to damn far didnt you!! Theres always one who doesnt know when to stop… @Just a Fan (Comment 45) : Nice fantasy, and now back to reality… 😛
@Just a Fan (Comment 46) : still trying I fear….
@Just a Fan (Comment 46) : In my opinion, still recovering, 2 good games by Bosman doesnt a hero make.
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 49) : And bobby skinstad that had Habanas jersey in his hand before the try.Not frans but still. 🙄
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 51) : Sorry 😳 …I thought that we were talking about Brad Barrit….hasn’t he already made the Saxons?
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 49) :” @Just a Fan (Comment 45) : Nice fantasy, and now back to reality… :razz:”….no!no! please don’t make me do it… 😆 😛
Speculation on the web is that Fred Michalak won`t be allowed to play for us cause he haven`t played in our last four matches?
Can anyone shed some light on this?
Apologies if you dealt with this on another thread.
@Honey Badger (Comment 52) : Naaah, Bobby had spent too long in the Cape, he didnt have Habanas jersey in his hand, he was coping a feel of his butt, thats why he didnt make the tackle. @Just a Fan (Comment 53) : I was, I was saying the Sharks are still recovering from losing Barritt… Bosman isnt there yet. @Just a Fan (Comment 54) : I would never make anyone leave their fantasy to come back to reality. Unless of course your fantasising about Bakkies Botha in a leather gimp mask spanking Morne Steyn with a wet celery stick, in which case WAKE UP GIRL!!
@Original Pierre (Comment 55) : Read the 3rd paragraph of this article.
@Original Pierre (Comment 55) : Jy weer jou leesbrille verloor met jou feesvieringe Saterdag na die game?? 😈
Ash cloud back according to local news. Travel between Aus and NZ flights being cancelled so what will happen?? Unless they fly via Asia? Damn 2 X times I will miss the Sharks in Chch, however my poor city is buggered and more so with every quake, so a little distraction would have been nice if it had been posible. Oh well at least I don’t have to sit in a cold lounge at 3.00 am so that is an improvement. Go The Sharks. P.S who is the ref for this game. Hopefully not PollocK or Bryce Lawrence(sp)or Dickenson??
@Original Pierre (Comment 55) : Hehe dealt with it on this thread actually. 🙂
It’s going to be a tough match no doubt about it…my only dream is to see willem alberts or even deysel spear tackle sonny bill williams that guy is a thug he is great on attack..flick passes alles but what he did to kanko was pathetic..
@Dynamite (Comment 59) : Brycy I think 🙂
@Muzi (Comment 61) : spear tackles are illegal!
@robdylan (Comment 63) : and what do we call that sonny bill williams shoulder charge hey at school i loved spear tackling players it was for revenge
@Ben (Comment 60) : Sorry I`ll shut up, time is an issue for me today.
@Muzi (Comment 64) : I think Mega as rubbed of on you today…you are in a k*kpraat mood…or at least I hope!
@Muzi (Comment 61) : Muzi. Id love to see SBW in the boxing ring with Flo Simba.
Oom Dries .Just a correction Botes is in the touring squad Marcell has been left out.Everything of the best to the SHARKS .My son had a great experience at Loftus hope their is still lot to come.
@Dries (Comment 68) : Hi Oom Dries – is Marcell your son?
@Muzi:sbw seems to fight overweight moddle-aged men..so I have a new opponent lined up for him that fits that criteria..1.88m 120 kg and 42 years old..you keen sbw?
oops,sorry forgot to mention it is the new sa heavyweight champ.francois botha..
@Dries (Comment 68) : thanks for the update, Oom… please tell Marcell that we’re all really pleased with how he’s progressing and look forward to seeing much more of him in the years to come!
@Salmonoid: francois botha beat flo simba ,tko in the 6th round..
Oom Dries. Very proud to say he is my son thanx to all the comments
Haven’t read the comments, but Stefan Terblanche seem to suggest SANZAR is playing some tricks with who the boys are allowed to take?
@Morné (Comment 74) : it’s about Riaan Swanepoel not being eligible
@Dries (Comment 73) : Thanks for the update OOM Dries. Can only imagine how proud you are, and rightly so. Your son is a huge prospect. Hope he is a future Bok. He certainly looks the part from what I have seen of him.
Tweet by Stef:
“Not allowed to take Swanepoel who has been part of squad all year and toured with us for 4 weeks. He didn’t play 4 games. Caleb Ralph,Reds?”
@robdylan (Comment 75) :
I can understand why Stef is miffed though, pathetic really.
@Morné (Comment 77) : Stefan is being disingenuous… rules are rules and the last thing we need is for SANZAR to backtrack on the decision to allow Fred because Stefan is bitching about Swannie.
Swannie would never have featured anyway.
@Morné (Comment 78) : it shouldn’t apply to any players that have held a contract with the union for the preceding 12 months or more…
Apologies about the mistake regarding Marcell Coetzee.
I was at the press conference this morning and Plum said that the match 22 plus Odwa and Eugene were the touring squad.
Apologies for posting this incorrect information, the squad has been updated.
@Salmonoid (Comment 67) : I still can not believe it that flo simba got beaten by francois botha 😕
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 81) : thanks Rich…
I guess Plum was so surprised at his own decision to replace Botes in the match 22 that he promptly forgot about it straight afterwards 🙂
@Dries (Comment 68) :
Daardie seun van jou gaan nog ñ Bok word daarvan is ek seker.
@Rich:doesn’t sound to me like it was your mistake ..
@robdylan (Comment 83) :
I must be honest, I never really considered Botes. I was happy that Coetzee was going to get the chance to play some high level Finals rugby..
He will definitely be there come Finals time in the Currie Cup..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 86) : how do you know the sharks will be there come finals time
To be fair,francois botha has fought guys with some serious pedigree..flo has veen tremendous..especially against “stationary”boxers..heard an interview on radio where jimmy abbott mentioned that he was helping francois botha prepare for the fight vs simba..and he was adament botha was going to win..he also said he can’t believe why the young heavy weights in sa don’t want to learn from former boxers like himself..
@Muzi (Comment 87) : Its common sense. 🙂
@bergshark (Comment 88) : Hey BS, do you follow any UFC?
@bergshark (Comment 85) : it wasn’t… not at all
@robdylan (Comment 91) : Have you heard about pine pienaar from the cheetahs?
@Ben: just a bit..
@Ben: just a bit
@bergshark (Comment 88) : @Muzi (Comment 82) : Now Botha wants to take on Holyfield again 🙄 Evander FTW.
@Ben (Comment 90) : Junior Dos Santos,Wanderlei Silva,Phil Baroni,Gesias Cavalcante and The Last emperor Fedor FTW.
@Honey Badger (Comment 96) : He must get a six pack and go hit the gym i have no idea what went through flo simba’s head when he lost i mean meneer botha was there for the taking that guy is slow that fight was soooooooooooo boring 😕
@Honey Badger (Comment 96) : Forrest Griffen is my fav. Anderson Silva is a great fighter, so is George St Pierre aka GSP.
SA heavy weight boxing is sooo boring..
@Muzi (Comment 97) : Talking about boring, some UFC fights tend to get a bit boring. When they go and lie on each other and try to hug the other oner to death. 🙄
But the decline of heavy weight boxing in the US has been startling.someone on espn was saying it is because the athletic big guys prefer nfl and nba to boxing..don’t know..maybe could be true of sa heavy weight boxing also..I’m sure I heard philip ndou say on sabc tv,s boxing program that we need to get some of the rugby forwards to take up boxing..
@bergshark (Comment 70) : @Muzi (Comment 82) : @bergshark (Comment 88) :
I saw the Fransie Botha / Flo fight. I think Flo has been flattered by some of his earlier successes and underestimated Botha. Botha is streetwise and has mixeed it up with the best in the world. He is old school tough and rugged. Simba should have learned lots from that fight. I still think he will go a long way. If SBW gets passed Simba then he can take on the White Buffalo. I wish I was a boxing promoter.
Like bert sugar said on espn( when debating boxing vs mma): I can’t get excited when I hear the commentators talk about two men one guy looking to mount another guy!
I wish Manny Pacquai and Floyd Maywether could arranfe a fight. Would be an awesome fight.
If sbw gets pass david tu’a,then it will be an upset of note..!
Heard a boxing commentator mention frans botha’s conditioning,or rather lack thereof,vs david bostice.wondered if fransie ever does road work?but he also said frans botha has great self-confidence and is very determined boxer.
@Ben (Comment 98) : Forrest is a tough dude,but I do not like gsp anymore because he fights so safe.5 of his last 6 was decisions…..boring.
@bergshark (Comment 103) : James toney got owned by randy couture although both past their prime.
They should get ufc on supersport,If your guy loses you know who to blame. 😀
@Muzi (Comment 92) : he’s going somewhere… where? To you okes?
@robdylan: muzi mentioned that the sharks might get both the grey centres..that will be a huge coup if they do decide to join the sharks ..
@robdylan (Comment 80) :
Does this mean Kolisi would not be able to play for the Stormers either under this rule?
@Honey Badger:don’t know if mma will overtake boxing..for one,boxing is an olympic sport
@bergshark (Comment 112) : MMA will over take boxing. Mark my words.
@Pokkel (Comment 111) : Surely, Schreuder too then?
@bergshark (Comment 110) : why, so we can spend three years developing them before we let them leave? 🙂
@Pokkel (Comment 111) : @Salmonoid (Comment 114) : may not be able to… I believe the Stormers are applying for an exemption for him as well, since he’s injury cover.
@robdylan: lol .. Actually sad but true point you bring up 🙁
Lideque,heimar,paul jordaan..they need to be given the jersey,tossed the ball,and told: go play some sharks rugby..
Well if they play the ‘tahs,don’t expect him to be cleared if it depends om aussie goodwill
@bergshark (Comment 117) : more likely they’ll be tossed a set of car keys and pointed in the direction of Coca Cola Park
@robdylan: noooo..that will be really daft from the sharks 🙁
@bergshark (Comment 112) : In due time.I think
@Ben (Comment 113) : True.I think
@robdylan (Comment 119) :
Not if they show that they are the best in their positions they wont be sent anywhere.