Jean Deysel will captain a reasonably youthful-looking Sharks side against John Smit’s “Barney Army” invitational team at Kings Park on Friday night, in a testimonial game for the former Sharks and Bok skipper.
Given that the bulk of the Super Rugby squad is currently unavailable, thanks to commitments with either the Springboks or SA Under 20 side, the Sharks outfit to contest this fixture was never going to be a full-strength one. With so many stalwarts out, it’s refreshing to see that John Plumtree has opted to use this game as an opportunity to have a look at some younger players and perhaps to develop a few new combinations ahead of this year’s Currie Cup competition.
Up front, there’s no sign of Steven Sykes or Jacques Botes, with Anton Bresler the only player who’s currently a Super Rugby starter. The front row of Dale Chadwick, Craig Burden and Wiehahn Herbst has played together many times before (notable for most of last year’s Currie Cup campaign) while Jandre Marais, at lock, will resume his partnership with Bresler formed over a number of junior and Vodacom Cup campaigns. Deysel is at blind side flank, in tandem with two young loose forwards in Franna Kleinhans (open side) and Tera Mtembu (number 8).
The back line has a far more experienced look to it, with Riaan Viljoen running at flyhalf in a dress rehearsal for the Currie Cup campaign, in which he is expected to wear the number 10 jersey in Pat Lambie’s stead. Charl McLeod is scrumhalf and vice captain, with Meyer Bosman and Tim Whitehead, at centre, also vastly experienced. Sbura Sithole comes in on the left wing, with Odwa Ndungane and Louis Ludik, who complete the back three, both vastly experienced at Super Rugby level.
Two men on the bench, flank Chris Cloete and wing Rosco Speckman, have yet to play senior rugby for the Sharks, while the balance of an inexperienced replacement division can boast a few Currie Cup caps apiece. Julian Redelinghuys will play for the Sharks for the first time since breaking his ankle in pre-season.
Sharks:
15 Louis Ludik, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Tim Whitehead, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Sibusiso Sithole, 10 Riaan Viljoen, 9 Charl McLeod (vice captain), 8 Lubabalo Mtembu, 7 Jean Deysel (captain), 6 Francois Kleinhans, 5 Anton Bresler, 4 Jandre Marais, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Craig Burden, 1 Dale Chadwick
16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Julian Redelinghuys, 18 Peet Marais, 19 Chris Cloete, 20 Cobus Reinach, 21 Gouws Prinsloo, 22 Rosco Speckman
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Good to see Kleinhans starting. Guessing Sykes and Botes will play for John Smit’s team.
Really not a bad looking side at all. Well balanced and settled backline, with a tight five that’s familiar with each other
Looking forward to see Francois Kleynhans and Chris Cloete play.
Good to see the chance taken on these guys. Looking forward to see how they go.
No sign of a certain super-experienced centre foisted on the Super Rugby squad. That’s a good start.
Watch Gouws in the second half, will not be surprised if he comes on at ten..
This guy is a star in the making!
How honoured must these youngsters be,playing with some many legends of game,John Smit deserves no less,what a legend
Just a quick question, is Mvovo injured?
I like the look of our side. And they`ve got nothing to lose here no matter what the result is.
@Original Pierre (Comment 6) :
Mvovo with the Boks
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 7) : Oh thanx.
Guess I forgot he`s involved after seeing that bulls laden bench week in and week out . . .
Haha seems I called it yesterday spot on!
Deysel captain and Joubert being waterboy or towel boy 😉
@KingRiaan (Comment 9) : Joubert might even play for the other team.
BTW, both Sykes and Botes have minor injuries
@robdylan (Comment 10) : Just as long as he doesn’t play for the Sharks
Solid team, like the idea of Viljoen at 10, hope Kleinhans and Cloete have great games, such great players. Deysel is gonna run over the “old” Army shame, they gonna feel the pain!! Go Sharks!! Sorry Smitty, it’s not gonna happen 🙂 But hope they put up a good fight…is Flouw in Smitties team? He’s the only guy who could cause some problems…If Heyneke likes Big 6’s Flouw should make his Tri-nations squad…i hope, he’s too good not to be in the Bok setup.
What is with all the hate toward mj? After all we are used to carrying old men in our team 🙂
Good team.
Really looking forward to seeing that loose trio play. Also will be interesting to see how Viljoen goes at fh. Good team all round. Pleased to see Tim is back. Was missed with that injury. Really pleased for Deysel being captain here too. Still rate Deysel huge and if Alberts injury is serious then we will be needing Deysel big time in two weeks time.
Just a damn pity this game is on when the Baby Boks play on Friday, thank goodness for the pvr…hehe.
nice to see ” wit kop” back 😉
@Puma (Comment 14) : Baby Boks ? Whats that? Black and Whtie, nothing else matters 😉 hehe