There’s good news coming out of Durban this afternoon, with Sharks team doctor Ewoudt van der Linde confirming that both Jean Deysel and Conrad Hoffmann could be in line for game time with the Sharks XV as early as this weekend.
Deysel has played no rugby since the Currie Cup final last year, where he again aggravated a troublesome knee ligament problem that has required off-season surgery to repair. Hoffmann, who spent a fair portion of last season on the sidelines too, suffered a gym injury earlier in the year and required surgery to reattach a torn pectoral muscle.
The Sharks coaches would be keen to have both players fit and in contention for selection ahead of the naming of the tour party that departs this weekend; both will need to pass fitness tests to even make the Vodacom Cup side, though, so perhaps thoughts of touring are a little premature at this stage.
In other news, both Ross Skeate and Keegan Daniel are somewhat doubtful after the Lions game, with the former’s hip or groin injury perhaps not as serious as suggested this morning. He will face a late fitness test, while the captain’s troublesome ankle requires further investigation – he will ahve a scan on it later this afternoon.
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Whoo hoo.good news indeed.
Hoffmann, Michalak & Mcleod. That will make for an interesting selection poser when it happens.
Wow really worried about loosing keegan, that will be a big blow. Who would replace him? Botes to 6 and coetzee to 8? Sharks have plenty injuries this season
@KSA Shark © (Comment 2) : It wouldnt be a tough pick for me. Michalak has looked very unconditioned this year. SO for me McCloed needs to start with Hoffman off the bench. Both players are quick to the breakdown and have a strong pass. Michalak needs to be picked as a flyhalf or not at all.
@sharkbok (Comment 3) : It does not worry me. Botes is a better 6 than Keegan IMO and Marcell is not a 6 at all, the shift to 8 would be a good one for him and Botes brings stability and experience. But most probably Keegan will be fine.
@SheldonK (Comment 4) : Yip…I agree!
@sharkbok (Comment 3) :” Wow really worried about loosing keegan, that will be a big blow” …Don’t be. It’s like starting with a 9 point handicap.
It’s going to be interesting to see who Plum selects when all the loosies are avaiable.
Botes
Keegan
Kanko
Coetzee
Alberts
Deysel
If he boxes clever they could all still be fresh towards the end on the S15.
And they had the audacity to call the Lions “depleted”.
@SheldonK (Comment 4) : Um… Hoffman quick to the breakdown and with a strong pass…? Did you see the Currie Cup final? Animals have evolved opposable thumbs faster than Hoffman cleared some of those rucks..
@SheldonK (Comment 4) : 100% agreed.
@Culling Song (Comment 10) : Still don’t rate Hoffman. He has been pretty average every time I’ve seen him play.
I miss Craig Davidson!!! Best all-round scrummy we had and should have played more for the Boks!!!
@Culling Song (Comment 10) : That being said I doubt it takes much to top Freddie “I think the rugby ball is a frisbee” Michalak’s passes. 😈
@ChrisS (Comment 13) : what a legend
@Culling Song (Comment 10) : 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆
@Letgo (Comment 5) : Agree 100%.
@robdylan (Comment 15) : For sure! Haven’t seen an SA scrummy to match him for an all-round game for years!! Closest was Fourie du Preez!
Where is he these days?
@ChrisS (Comment 18) : I think he owns a coffee shop in Durban… Europa?
@robdylan (Comment 19) : In La Lucia Mall.
@robdylan (Comment 19) : Will have to pop in when I’m back down there.
So the Bulls are missing Johan Sadie
Cheetahs
Juan Smith
Stormers
Schalk Burger
Deon Fourie
Sharks
Beast
Alistar Hargreaves
Jean Deysel
Ryan Kankofski
Hoffman
Lions
JC Jansen van Rensburg
Pat Cilliers
CJ vd Linde
Bandise Maku
Wickus van Heerden
Micheal Rhodes
Elton Jantjies
Waylon Murrey
Lionel Mapoe
Am I missing some one, its just thinking quickly
@Mutley (Comment 22) : Bulls – Dewald Potgieter
And Alwyn Hollenbach can be added for the Lions