Sharks coach John Plumtree has named an unchanged line-up as his side prepares to travel to Port Elizabeth to take on the Southern Kings on Saturday afternoon.
The side that produced a fine defensive display, but otherwise struggled a little on attack, will be given a further opportunity to click against the Kings and Plumtree should be applauded for consistency at this early stage in the season. The Sharks have a big squad – and rotation will be called for in due course – but this 22 has done the business over the last two weeks and one would fancy that the same players, barring injury, will keep the Sharks going for at least the next fortnight, when some freshening up might be needed.
It’s hoped that Plumtree may be able to give his bench a bit more of a run this week, assuming the starters are able to do enough early in the game to subdue their hosts.
The Sharks
1. Tendai Mtawarira
2. Craig Burden
3. Jannie du Plessis
4. Anton Bresler
5. Franco van der Merwe
6. Marcell Coetzee
7. Jean Deysel
8. Ryan Kankowski
9. Cobus Reinach
10. Patrick Lambie
11. Lwazi Mvovo
12. Francois Steyn (Captain)
13. Paul Jordaan
14. JP Pietersen
15. Louis Ludik
Replacements
16. Kyle Cooper
17. Wiehahn Herbst
18. Pieter-Steph du Toit
19. Jacques Botes
20. Charl McLeod
21. Meyer Bosman
22. Odwa Ndungane
Tweet
beautiful.
Consistency I like. Lets go boys!
3rd week in a row the same team, very good.
i see the bookies gave the Kings a 17 point start. I know Im still in the naughty corner, but take the minus. thats all im saying….. 😎
I must say I hope we see Lambie linking better up with the centres in this match. Fransie and Paul is such dangerous runners and not really used yet this season.
As my neighbour across the river says – if it works, don’t fix it. 😆
We need 2 more weeks from this team and then start the rotation policy when we face the Rebels 3 weeks from now. Hopefully some key injured players will start to make their return by then.
@Viking (Comment 7) : the long rest for alberts, bismarck etc might just turn out to be a blessing in disguise
@Viking (Comment 5) : Cobus needs to get Lambie some better ball…
@robdylan (Comment 9) : All I am saying is that I would like to us use our assets better. I hope Cobus is just coming to grips with the faster pace of the game with the new 5second rule and hopefully he can make it happen for us this weekend. Ball retention overall will also help IMO.
@West Indies Cricket Board (Comment 8) : Lady luck just might shine on the Sharks. Lets hope that when they come back into contention we can choose to play then and are not forced by injury to other players.
@robdylan (Comment 9) : Agree with you 100%.He needs to understand that this is Superugby and must lift his game.
Good to see the continuity.
As many have already mentioned, Reinach will have to come to the party if we are to prosper on attack. In addition, the Kings will target getting us slow ball, so any dallying by 9 will be pounced upon.
Game 1: Botes and Coetzee starts, Deysel on bench
Game 2: Coetzee and Deysel starts, Botes on bench
I would have been tempted to start this game with Botes and Deysel, Coetzee on bench
@Culling Song (Comment 14) : my temptation too, but thinking it through, I like this approach more.
Coetzee did a lot more right than he did wrong on Saturday, despite the 3 knocks tending to be foremost in everyone’s mind. He needs another chance to show that he can be an incumbent at 6.
@robdylan (Comment 9) : Problems starts at the rucks IMO. Players at the ruck need to present better ball to Reinach. However Reinach also needs to get going behind the rucks – sometimes it looks like we slow down on purpose
Lovely balance to the 22 and specifically the loose trio.