Sean Everitt’s Sharks XV side has been boosted by the inclusion of two experienced campaigners, ahead of the weekend’s final round-robin clash with the Pampas XV. Key among the selections is the inclusion of Bok loose forward Willem Alberts at eighthman.
Alberts hasn’t played since the Bok end of year tour, after being sidelined in pre-season with a recurring shoulder complaint. He’ll start at the back of a settled loose trio containing stalwarts in Brynard Stander and Francois Kleinhans and will use the match to start the journey towards the level of fitness required for Super Rugby.
The other “greybeard” in the team is Collegians prop Robbie Harris, who many will remember as a far younger prop who played a bit of Currie Cup rugby for the Sharks in the middle part of the previous decade. The Sharks XV have lost two props in Allan Dell and Danie Mienie and Harris has been brought in to add some experience to an otherwise green front row. Another impressive club prop, College Rovers’ Simon Kerrod, will be on the bench.
Tian Meyer retains his place at scrumahlf despite the presence of Baby Bok tourist Hanco Venter in the squad, while an unforced change at fulllback sees Jaco van Tonder start ahead of Gouws Prinsloo for the first time. One of last year’s most exciting under 19s, wing Kotaro Matsushima, will also enjoy his first Vodacom Cup start as replacement for Sibusiso Sithole.
The Sharks XV
15. Jaco van Tonder
14. Kotaro Matsushima
13. Marius Joubert (C)
12. Heimar Williams
11. Sizo Maseko
10. Fred Zeilinga
9. Tian Meyer
8. Willem Alberts
7. Brynard Stander
6. Francois Kleinhans
5. Peet Marais
4. Jandre Marais
3. Nicolaas van Dyk
2. Monde Hadebe
1. Robbie Harris
Replacements
16. Franco Marais
17. Simon Kerrod
18. Johan Meyer
19. Khaya Majola
20. Hanco Venter
21. Tyler Fisher
22. Gouws Prinsloo
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BIG VIC!!!!
Hope we manage to get a good 25-30 minutes out of him
I can’t believe Tyler Fisher has not made the final Baby Bok squad – madness
@Saffex (Comment 2) : me neither
Travesty, Plank might not be there yet after the injury, but Tyler is a shock exclusion. Hope the boys keep their heads up, there are much bigger things than junior national teams in rugby careers
Awesome stuff to see Big Vic back in action. I hope the injuries is something of the past for him.
@Viking (Comment 5) : They won’t be, unless we change the bash-it-up game plan of ours. A body can only take so much punishment.
I am absolutely disgusted by the exclusion of Tyler Fisher. The kid was the leading try-scorer in the u19 Currie Cup last year, has SA Schools & SA u18 Sevens pedigree & was running over grown men in Vodacom Cup earlier this season, before he made way for the old-timer.
Not to mention the fact that he covers 11, 13 & 14.
How can we not expect youngsters to head overseas when this is the treatment that they get. Watch him play for England or Australia within 5 years
On a lighter note, great to see the Japanese flyer on the wing this weekend. He was awesome for the u19s last year & I’ve heard he’s been carving it up for Old Boys at club level. Well done Sharks management!
@disgruntled shark (Comment 7) : My thoughts and fears exactly – wont be surprised to see Fisher leave our shores disgruntled.
Its best the Sharks management take him under their wings and provide him with some security moving forward. We dont want to be losing this kid.
Theron has cocked this selection up big-time. Much like Marcel Coetzee never making the Baby Bok side
@Saffex (Comment 9) : we kind of have to lay this one right on the doorstep of the Sharks management, though…. Dries Swanepoel has had many opportunities to show his wares in hte Vodaocm Cup, whereas Tyler has had to play a bit part behind Marius Joubert. Could definitely explain his exclusion.
Hoping that the silver lining to the Jordaan injury might be a run for Tyler at Currie Cup level this year.
I hope this is being televised, more excited by the Sharks XV these days than our seniors…
@robdylan (Comment 10) : Surprised he doesn’t get the 13 jersey ahead of Joubert. Isn’t it time for Oupa Jouba to hang up his boots?
@neilster (Comment 11) : Nope, yet again Supersport completely amazes me. They are showing;
Vodacom Cup: SWD Eagles v Border Bulldogs
@slammerboy (Comment 12) : On the flip side, Joubert has led that side really well. But one would think he could move to 12 earlier in the game to accomodate Fisher, or actually start at 12 from time to time.
@robdylan (Comment 10) : He never found favour on their recent tour to Argentina. Had one appearance on the wing in three games.
I would have thought the fact that he was playing VC was an advantage as I guess there are a few in the final squad that have not even played VC rugby yet.
@slammerboy (Comment 12) : Agreed, its pointless investing in Joubert – over the hill years ago.
@slammerboy (Comment 12) : about 3 years ago, yes
So Kanko does not even make the Vodacom cup bench. His fall from grace is really hectic. If he was so out of form would a stint in the Vodacom Cup not help him regain the form?
The boys lead 17-0.
Tries Matsushima, Alberts. Rest of the points by Fred
Try Rob Harris. 22-0
Sharks XV 22 – 5 Pampas XV. 30 min
Try Joubert, try van Tonder.
Sharks XV 36 – Pampas XV 5… half time
43-5 Try time Alberts again
hello? Anyone out there?
Sharks XV 43 – 12 Pampas XV
Zeilinga penalty. 46-19
Pampas BP try!
Sharks XV 46 – 26 Pampas XV
@robdylan (Comment 26) : Final score?
@Die Kriek (Comment 27) : 46-31
Sharks end on top of their log…
Willem played 60 min and according to the Sharks website had a good outing, scoring 2 tries….
Well done Sharks XV now if only the super rugby team can do the same.
And a possible date with the Golden Lions.
The Lions need a 5 pointer against the Limpopo Blue Bulls to move into 4th and a 1/4 final against the Sharks. Fortunately for the Sharks this will be in Durbs and not in Joburg 🙂
@Baylion (Comment 31) :
Thank goodness! One does not simply walk into MIGHTY Ellis Park. 😉
@Baylion (Comment 31) : and what a glorious victory it will be for your union’s strongest possible outfit to crush the Sharks’ Vodacom Cup side… SMH
@robdylan (Comment 33) : Strongest available as opposed to strongest possible, same as the Sharks XV. SMH2