We’re not sure why, exactly, but young Pieter-Steph du Toit appears to have been summoned back to Durban to join the Sharks Super Rugby squad this week, thus presumably ruling him out of contention for the SA Under 20 match against Argentina this weekend.
Photos from today’s Sharks training session show du Toit playing an active part in proceedings and it might not be completely beyond the bounds of probability that he could feature this weekend, especially given the anticipated loss of another physical youngster in Marcell Coetzee.
The Sharks may well have identified the strong Chiefs pack as a source of concern; without Coetzee in the mix, it’s unlikely they’d be able to field a 5-man forwards bench as counter, unless someone like du Toit or Tera Mtembu is included. With the latter being somewhat more of a skilful player than a battering ram, it’s not that surprising that the burly young Bolander is being looked at.
The other interesting development is that Beast Mtawarira, based on photographic evidence, appeared to play at least some part in the training session and had no visible means of support to his injured ankle. I’ll let you all jump to your own conclusions about that one…
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Hopefully Beast will be back sooner than later 😎
JJR must be smiling from ear to ear
Beeeeeeeeeeeeast! I will give up wine for the whole month if he plays I promise!!!! Pleeeeeease!
I saw these Pics, Beast is just getting Fit first…was the same with Deysel; but one never knows…my bet is that he will be back after the bye.
@Ludz (Comment 2) : Yes, i am chuffed. We could use him in a similar way the Stormers use Elstadt. It’s also nice to see all the top youngsters coming in…still waiting for Jordaan to get a go…seeing that he is a U/20’s now makes me a bit dissapointed; but then again it will be good if he can get some game time.
I was looking forward to seeing Jordaan in Sharks XV televised game this weekend.
It’s been way too long since we heard Beeeeeaaaaasssstttt echo around The Shark Tank and the other SupeRugby stadiums. Can’t wait to have the big guy back.
@JarsonX (Comment 1) : Beast could play today i bet; just a matter of getting his Cardio fitness and body used to some contact before coming back to superugby. He’s looking really strong…Sharks medical/conditioning team is sick!!! Maybe that’s why Plum isn’t scared to overplay players 😆
I quote Conrad Hoffmann from twitter, ” So much to be grateful for. Sharks medical team by far the BEST and most professional in the country. Thanx team” 🙂
@KingRiaan (Comment 5) : We’ve really missed the big guy…can’t wait to see him back in action.
@JJR (Comment 6) : ja, cos Hoffmann is great at staying fit and ont getting injured, isn’t he?
I’m happy for him, hopeful he gets a real shot, not just 3 min here and there or sitting on the bench.
any word when Hoffman will b back?
I have a question.
Who has 1st right to the player? Superugby franchises or SA u/20.
Here’s why I ask.
Jordaan was summoned by the BabyBoks. To me meaning they have 1st rights to him.
PSDT was summoned by the Sharks. To me meaning they have 1st rights to him.
Both can’t be right.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 11) : One of them has to have been surplus to requirements in the squad they left.
@clarkville (Comment 10) : he’s already back…
@KSA Shark © (Comment 12) : case by case basis, I think.
The team holding the player’s contract will always have first dibs, but can elect to release the player if he’s not required for Super Rugby duty.
@robdylan (Comment 14) : Okay so that makes some sense then, so Plumtree let Jordaan go to the Baby Boks coz we have sufficient cover.
Is there an senior citizen Bok side that might call up Marius Joubert? 😛
@KSA Shark © (Comment 15) : Superlike!
I hope Marius Joubert’s dad doesn’t read this site
@Culling Song (Comment 16) : how old would Marius’s dad be? About 150?
@robdylan (Comment 17) : Super-superlike!!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 11) :
I imagine from a preparation point of view, Dawie has seen enough of PSD to know that he will have him in the squad, if im not mistaken he has already played quite a lot and so is familiar with what the U20’s are looking to achieve, the structures etc. Dawie at the moment is looking at others that would be able to stake a claim.
As i dont think Jordaan has been around the camp, either this one or the earlier ones due to pre season Superrugby, it may be that he has been allowed to go down to familiarize himself with what is happening – as he will be a key member of the squad come the Junior champs which arent that far away.
@Culling Song (Comment 16) : Maybe once, but not likely to come back, same with his team mates.
@robdylan (Comment 17) : @Culling Song (Comment 16) : @KSA Shark © (Comment 15) : 😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 15) : Hopefully the same side Victoria will play for.
@Culling Song (Comment 16) : 😆
@robdylan (Comment 8) : That’s why he knows how good they are…because he gets injured all the time…same with most players that don’t come through shark structures…their conditioning takes a while to get to the level of a career long Shark player 🙂
@JJR (Comment 24) : will you leave some of the straws for the rest of us to grasp at? 🙂
Really good news to see that Beast is back in training. Read last week here that Beast would be back in training from Monday. So all good.
Think Marcell might not be available this week if he has a AC tear, so the call up of PSDT is a good thing. We covering ourselves well there.
The Chiefs pack are huge. Would have loved to have had Beast and Bissie for this game, just not to be.
Go Sharks. This is a very good Chiefs side, if we win this one, think we will be on a huge confidence booster. I would think then we could go on to win the rest of our games. Well hoping.
My source tells me that Victor Matfield will be joining the Sharks should he accept Meyer’s request. He was seen training hard yesterday..