In confirming the horror injury sustained by Paul Jordaan, which will see him miss pretty much the rest of the season, Sharks coach John Plumtree has revealed that the team are hoping for a quick-than-expected return to fitness for one of their missing Springboks.
Lwazi Mvovo, who was earlier ruled out for a number of weeks with a thumb injury is being looked at as a possible tour replacement. The Sharks coach is awaiting a medical report on the Bok flier and will fly him over if he’s close enough to fitness.
That would probably mean a move back into the midfield for JP Pietersen, who himself will only be ready to play next week after an ankle injury sustained against the Stormers.
With none of Pietersen, Jordaan, Mvovo or JC van Rensburg available this weekend, though, it’s going to be a very patchwork Sharks team indeed that takes on the Chiefs in Hamilton.
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Why no Steyn at 13? I don’t get it.
@Uli (Comment 1) :
Prehaps…we need a 13 who can get up to speed. 😆
Clever name for the article 😉
@Argex (Comment 3) : thank you.
DRUM ROLL !
@The Duke (Comment 2) : You recon hes that slow?
Surely if he can play FB he has enough speed for 13. In fact it might do him good there as he will have more space and time to run over players, that is if he actually gets the ball.
he may have had pace, but his form has been so poor, his decision making so..lets be polite…so dubious !. that i dont think he deserves a starting berth. and he has slowed. in my opinion. because your playing there doesnt mean your playing well.
I think given this latest injury Steyn just has to play in the midfield.
I like lindeque, but I just can’t see drafting him straight into the team as the best option.
Especially if Mvovo is not ready and we have to play Robinson on the wing.
@The Duke (Comment 7) : I suppose the rest of the Sharks team decisions was on par? 😕
So my team (if Mvovo and JP is not ready this week).
15 Viljoen
14 Odwa
13 Steyn
12 Bosman
11 Robinson
10 Lambie
9 Cobus
8 Keegan
7 Deysel
6 Minnie
5 Franco
4 Piet
3 Jannie
2 Cooper
1 Herbst
Reserves
JC or (I don’t know), Burden, Anton, Marcell, McLeod, Lindeque, Sithole
@Uli (Comment 9) : very true , but i for one expect players on that size wage package and that experience to be lifting the team to greater heights , and not sitting back expecting everything to come right. for all his talent i do question his commitment.
I’ve lost track…
I’m guessing it looks like this now:
Wors, Cooper, Jannie, PSDT, Franco, Marcell, Wollie, Keegan, Cobus, Pat, Robinson, Bosman, Steyn, Ndungane, Viljoen
Burden, Mienie, Bresler, Minnie, Mtembu, McLeod, Lindeque
@Letgo (Comment 10) : Next week, JP and Mvovo back in – Steyn can stay if he has a good game against the Chiefs, otherwise Lindeque next week.
@robdylan (Comment 12) : Mienie, Minnie … you have stutter? 😉
I forgot about Mienie (Danie if i’m not mistaken) for my team.
@Letgo (Comment 13) : Is it a given JPP will be back by the 4th?
@The Duke (Comment 11) : I think that goes for the whole team mate 😉
@Letgo (Comment 14) : oh the commentators will have fun with that one
@Bokhoring (Comment 15) : I think he’s more likely than Mvovo actually. He was laways earmarked for a returned against the Highlanders.
@Uli (Comment 16) : we dont disagree buddy, i just believe he deserves a rocket up his … 😯
We need to try and limit the score in the Chiefs match as much as possible, and then target the Highlanders game for a win.
@Uli (Comment 6) : We’ve tried him there. Defensive Bermuda Triangle.
Rudolf must have the Lions on speed dial at the moment 😉
I have to say, 13 is a notoriously difficult position to defend and to Tollie’s credit (not much of that around) he’s actually been pretty good on D this season. Attack, not so much.
JP struggled defensively at 13 (remember the Canes game last year? They had him for breakfast) and Frans has never looked comfortable there.
I’d give Piet the jersey because at least he’s a natural in the position.
@Argex (Comment 22) : Lions will probably soon refuse to lend us anyone as we seem to be breaking them faster than we can use them.
@Bokhoring (Comment 24) : we only broke one…. Stormers broke 2…
@robdylan (Comment 23) : Geez.. that loss to the canes was big last year in terms of dissapointment… But nothing compared to what is experienced this year
@robdylan (Comment 25) : True, Franco is still going.
a quick note…. RIP .. Graham “Basher” Downes. Beaten to death in an assault in the US.
@The Duke (Comment 28) : Very sad, Im glad somebody picked up on it and posted here. RIP Graham.
@Salmonoid (Comment 29) :
A guy who really put himself out there, a determined man. another tragic event.
@robdylan (Comment 23) : Good points. And Steyn is way of his best and has done better of the bench.
@The Duke (Comment 30) : Really sad that something like this happens in ones own home…just crazy.
and it can happen anywhere in the world..not just outside a rugby stadium. sad really.
I would play Burden at 13. Strong and speed and going no further in his career at 2.He used to play center and should know what to do.Lambie at 15 Bosman at 10. We need big solid backs for the chiefs
Can’t see Burden playing 13 from the start maybe in emergency for last 10 min. Play Lindeque at 13 STOP PLAYING GUYS OUT OF POSITION!!!!!!! Jack of all trades master of none!!!!!!!!
We need a Jack of all trades, master of One 😉
I just need a Jack…. and better make it a double