The Junior Springboks kick off their preparations of defending the IRB Junior World Championship by playing a match against the University of the Western Cape this afternoon, with the starting team announced by coach Dawie Theron.
The big names in the team include Handré Pollard, who will start the game at flyhalf (as well as taking the duty of vice captain), Jan Serfontein, playing at inside centre and captain of the team, lock Marvin Orie.
The Sharks are represented at scrumhalf by Hanco Venter. The rest of the squad announced earlier in the month will take the field as replacements
The team starting the match:
15. Cheslin Kolbe
14. Luther Obi
13. Justin Gedult
12. Jan Serfontein
11. Seabelo Senatla
10. Handré Pollard
9. Hanco Venter
8. Ruan Steenkamp
7. Jacques du Plessis
6. Albertus Smit
5. Marvin Orie (captain)
4. Irne Herbst
3. Luan de Bruin
2. Jacques du Toit
1. Sti Sithole
*All remaining squad players to be used as replacements.
Tweet
Jan Serfontein talented as he may be is not the distributing 12 Id like to see
@Talent (Comment 1) : I kind of agree… think he’d be better at 13
@robdylan (Comment 2) : And Handre Pollard isn’t all he’s cracked up to be ,his distribution is also not as good as id like from a flyhalf but that was what I saw last year ,maybe he has improved
@robdylan (Comment 2) : I agree ,maybe even wing 😆
@Talent (Comment 3) : also not a big Pollard fan, think he did well last year for an 18 year old in that competition, but hopefully he’s grown, because I think he has a real challenger in Robert du Preez
@Ludz (Comment 5) : Thats what I like to hear 😆
The thing is Meyer is probably whispering in Dawie Theron ear, Pollard is on his way to Pretty therefore he is untouchable.
Rob du Preez is still going to shut up many, many people over the next few years.
BTW, I see Dan and Jean-Luc are confirmed as definites for the Sharks next year. I’m not sure if this is news or not, but I’m really stoked about it.
Pollard improved his distribution skills…. 😆 😆 😆
Which team poached him again?! Ditto for Serfontein, both will stay one trick ponies. 🙄
@robdylan (Comment 7) : rob has made me eat my words,big Cope fan,good luck to him 😳
@bobby 26 (Comment 9) : has Cope been contracted now? It will be great if those boys can keep pushing each other.
@robdylan (Comment 10) : not,up until the last i heard.
@robdylan (Comment 7) : He was good at school ,his kicking wasn’t great ,but that’s an easy fix.
@bobby 26 (Comment 11) : pity. I believe he’s with UKZN now
@robdylan (Comment 13) : yes,i think alot of the sharks u19 players of 2012 should go and play there,in this gap year [u20]will keep the players fit and also help UKZN
@bobby 26 (Comment 14) : bloody good idea that…
Do they need a hooker? 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 15) : they have just got one,and a very good one at that,read it on your blog 😉
@bobby 26 (Comment 16) : yes, I know, but he’s probably going to be spending a lot of time with the Sharks XV, especially while Bismarck is injured.
@robdylan (Comment 17) : don’t know how it is going to work,everybody knows bismarck will be ready later,so why let Franco go and play for UKZN?
@bobby 26 (Comment 18) : who am I missing here? Craig, Kyle, Monde, Franco, Morne, Warrick…. is there another hooker in there that I’ve missed?
@robdylan (Comment 19) : yes,chap called Greg,in the training squad[vodacom cup squad]but still,3 hookers will tour with the super15 team,franco plays for UKZN and Morne plays in France u20,and that is without any injuries,a little confused with that decision to let Franco go,as the varsity comp hots up they will pull him out, so whats the point.
@bobby 26 (Comment 20) : yes – I’ve been told that the Sharks XV will definitely have first dibs on him, so he might not even play much for Impi. Perhaps a good oppo for Warrick to get some gametime (and TV exposure) 🙂
@bobby 26 (Comment 20) : bobby – I don’t suppose you have the Vodacom training squad? 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 22) : sorry rob i don’t
@bobby 26 (Comment 23) : it’s ok mate… I knew I was taking a bit of a punt.
I’m intrigued about this hooker called Greg, though. I have no idea who he could be.
@robdylan (Comment 24) :
Apparently he posts on SW under his second name; bobby.
@robdylan (Comment 24) : i just heard warrick talking about him,he’s u21 this year,plays for collegians
@Big Fish (Comment 25) : haha 🙂 No!
@bobby 26 (Comment 26) : ah, thanks…. should be able to use that as a starting point, although most of my contacts at that club have now left