Sharks coach John Plumtree has bracketed Jacques-Louis Potgieter with Fred Michalak in the flyhalf jersey for this weekend’s third round Currie Cup clash against the Cheetahs in Durban. The enigmatic Frenchman is suffering from a hamstring strain and will be put through a last-minute fitness test tomorrow in order to be cleared to play.
Plumtree has kept the changes to a minimum otherwise, with the uncertainty surrounding the fitness of Michalak and centre Marius Joubert somewhat complicating matters. Should both be passed fit, the side will line up as it did last week, however, if either or both are ruled out, there will be some shuffling. Potgieter will be a straight replacement for Michalak, while Stefan Terblanche will move from fullback to centre to cover for Joubert, with Sbura Sithole starting on the wing.
The forward pack shows no changes, with Eugene van Staden still on the bench after two great performances from Dale Chadwick have forced the coaches to keep him in the number 1 jersey. Hooker Craig Burden earns his 50th Currie Cup cap this week. Youngsters Heimar Williams and Gouws Prinsloo are lined up for bench spots should either (or both) of Michalak and Joubert fail to make it.
Sharks:
15. Louis Ludik
14. Mark Richards
13. Stefan Terblanche / Marius Joubert
12. Meyer Bosman
11. Sibusiso Sithole
10. Jacques-Louis Potgieter / Frederic Michalak
9. Ross Cronje
8. Keegan Daniel (Captain)
7. Marcell Coetzee
6. Jacques Botes
5. Ross Skeate
4. Anton Bresler
3. Wiehahn Herbst
2. Craig Burden
1. Dale Chadwick
Replacements
16. Kyle Cooper
17. Eugene van Staden
18. Jan Andre Marais
19. Francois Kleinhans
20. Jacobus Reinach
21. Heimar Williams / Jacques-Louis Potgieter
22. Gouws Prinsloo / Sibusiso Sithole
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so, in short, wait for the REAL team at 15h30 tomorrow
If Marius Joubert is fit will that mean that Stef will drop out of the 22? I find that hard to believe.
No… They’ve got their brackets wrong.
Stef will play 15 if marius is out, with ludik at wing and sbura benching
@robdylan (Comment 3) : That makes more sense.
Stef’s waning pace was shown quite badly up against the Pumas. An incredible athlete at his age for sure, but I can’t see how he has another season left in him.
@CapeShark (Comment 5) : I know I keep harping on about this but the Sharks need to offer Stefan a coaching position – doesn’t matter whether it’s assistant or age group. I agree his time as a player is running out pretty quickly but we can’t let all the experience and respect from other players go to waste when he calls it a day.
@vanmartin (Comment 6) :@CapeShark (Comment 5) : This topic again. š
@vanmartin (Comment 6) : *You’re* harping on!? Dude, I wrote a whole article about why we should retain him as a coach… That’s Mr. Harp to you, boy-o!
@Culling Song (Comment 8) : How did I miss that or have I simply forgotten?? Link please! And where can I submit my side-kick application on this particular issue?
@vanmartin (Comment 9) : Search for “defending the age-man” on Sharksworld.
@Culling Song (Comment 10) : I actually commented on that article! š³
You are indeed Mr. Harp
I’m making my point about Stef in reference to Sithole. The assumption being that Stef would always edge Sithole onto the bench. This being one of the more random Currie-Cup years, surely now would be the time to bench Stef and see what this youngster can do.
Like Stevan at 15 against the Bulls hope he stays there
we want freddie
Gouws prinsloo maybe on the bench?and heimar williams?so those two youngsters are close to the match 22..hope we see them both at some stage of this year’s cc.
Big test for chadwick vs wp nel.hope he stands his man.was impressed with his commitment on def in the bulls game.seems like ge wants to play.
Great to see some of the youngsters get a chance..looking forward to a good Sharks win š
Any news on the fitness test?