Glenwood hooker Shaun Malton was handed a double-dose of good news as Sharks under 21 coach Sean Everitt named him as starting hooker and captain for tomorrow’s second-round clash against the Valke in Brakpan.
Malton and his Westville counterpart, Monde Hadebe, have been playing this game of front-row tag for years and the personal rivalry between them, coupled with the fact that a succession of coaches has found it next to impossible to separate them in terms of ability, seems to keep both players motivated. Another rotational change in the front row sees Danie Mienie take over at loose head prop from Hulk Mkhize, while Peet Marais returns to his more regular position in the second row after filling in at flank against the Blue Bulls last week. One of the identified failings last week was set-piece execution, and Everitt will be hoping that his re-jigged tight five will find the missing ingredient against the Valke this weekend.
Rovers’ Brynard Stander, another old Westvillian in a side that has a distinctly local flavour, starts at blind side flank, with Chris Cloete (impressive last week) and sevens Bok Tera Mtembu completing the loose trio. Big Ukranian lock Karolis Navickas joins another 2m+ player in Johan Schoonbie on the bench, with the former down to deputise at loose forward if needed.
The backs have been left largely unchanged, with a positional switch amongst the wings seeing Jaco van Tonder moving to the right wing, with Nico van der Westhuizen taking over on the left. The Collegians quartet of Willie du Plessis, Heimar Williams, Piet Lindeque and fullback Gouws Prinsloo give the backline a settled look. There’s an interesting inclusion on the bench, with Zimbabwean-born scrumhalf Peter du Toit (no relation to lock Pieter-Stef du Toit) having represented Ireland at the IRB U20 World Championships earlier this year.
The Sharks Under 21s
15 Gouws Prinsloo
14 Jaco van Tonder
13 Piet Lindeque
12 Heimar Williams
11 Nico van der Westhuizen
10 Willie du Plessis
9 Charles Purdon
8 Lubabalo Mtembu
7 Brynard Stander
6 Chris Cloete
5 Peet Marais
4 Pieter-Stef Du Toit
3 Nick Schonert
2 Shaun Malton (Capt)
1 Danie Mienie
Replacements
16 Monde Hadebe
17 Njabulo Mkize
18 Johan Schoonbee
19 Karolis Navickas
20 Peter Du Toit
21 Andrew Norton
22 Kayde Fisher
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Is the game really in Brakpan? Because it’s not the Valke’s base anymore, I thought that they’ll be playing in Kempton Park. What time is the game?
@Nita (Comment 1) : no idea. hopefully someone in the know will let you know.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 2) : The Sharks website also has the venue as Bosman Stadium (it’s just strange) and the game starts at 15h00. Maybe I’ll go and watch the game (if the venue is correct), it just depends on the rest of the household.
@Nita (Comment 3) : please do! What love some feedback on how the boys do and you know how much they appreciate the support
@Nita (Comment 3) : sarugby.net also has it at bosman stadium, @ 15:00
@robdylan (Comment 4) : I’ll let you know Rob.
Team is playing at 15:00 at Bosman Stadium.
Andrew Nortem withdrew due to injury and is replaced Kieron Goss.
Captaincy of the squad is shared jointly by Monde Hadebe and Shawn Malton
Apologies – wasn’t wearing glasses.
Andrew Norton ; Shaun Malton
@insider (Comment 8) : Thanks for that, insider…
Seems you’re the man with the info!
I hope our guys can use this game to shift into a higher gear. Judging by Province’s performance last night and the quality of their team,it looks like they’re going to be the pace-setters this u21 season.
I’m also a bit surprised at the inclusion of 2 locks on the bench. I know Peet can play blindside but still its an unusual bench combo.