The Lions may have named what they consider their strongest available side for tomorrow’s Vodacom Cup quarter-final clash in Durban, but they’ll come up against two Springbok loose forwards named in tandem for the Sharks XV.
Ryan Kankowski, a surprising omission from the Sharks Super Rugby tour squad, will play in his familiar number 8 jersey when the two teams clash, with another Bok, Willem Alberts, operating at blindside flank. With both big names being given game time as part of the “bigger picture”, there will of course be some unlucky men who have contributed throughout the campaign, only to miss out this week. One such man is Francois Kleinhans, who loses his number 6 jersey this week to Brynard Stander, shifted across to make room for Alberts. Kleinhans and another flank, Khaya Majola, will do bench duty, with Alberts able to cover lock if necessary.
The only other change to the side that bested the Pampas XV last week comes at scrumhalf, with Hanco Venter elevated to the starting lineup after Tian Meyer’s call-up to the Super Rugby side. Stefan Ungerer comes onto the bench to provide cover.
The Sharks XV
15. Jaco van Tonder
14. Kotaro Matsushima
13. Marius Joubert (Capt)
12. Heimar Williams
11. Sizo Maseko
10. Fred Zeilinga
9. Hanco Venter
8. Ryan Kankowski
7. Willem Alberts
6. Brynard Stander
5. Peet Marais
4. Jandre Marais
3. Nicolaas van Dyk
2. Monde Hadebe
1. Robbie Harris
Replacements
16. Franco Marais
17. Simon Kerrod
18. Francois Kleinhans
19. Khaya Majola
20. Stefan Ungerer
21. Tyler Fisher
22. Gouws Prinsloo
Tweet
I have only two words.
FOKKEN LEKKER 🙂
Interesting to hear Plank Meyer is in Stellenbosch last night
puppy is going to get a klap,no Bismarck? 😳
@Ludz (Comment 2) : he’ll play next weekend. We won’t be allowed Kanko for the semi
@bobby 26 (Comment 3) : I heard he was in contention – must have made a late call that he wasn’t quite ready.
Think Baby Bok forwards are getting together in Stellenbosch this weekend, my question is, is Johan there as a fringe player just in case of an injury or has someone fallen out because of injury?
@Ludz (Comment 6) : oh, interesting.
I’ll ask
@robdylan (Comment 1) :
I’m also a massive fan of Jouba. Best Bok centre in many moons…
It’s nice to see Kanko will be getting some game time and also nice to know alberts will be ready when the Sharkies come back from tour.
@robdylan (Comment 4) : Why won’t we be allowed Kanko for the semi?
@David12246 (Comment 11) :
He’s waxing his legs that day.
@robdylan (Comment 7) : How long does Marius Joubert have left on his contract?
@Tintin (Comment 13) :
I dunno… but if Carlsberg made locks… they’d all look like Eben Etsebeth.
@VinChainSaw (Comment 14) : If Carlsberg made locks, they would all look like Mark Andrews
i like! sharks by 8
@Tintin (Comment 15) :
Wash your mouth out you philistine.
Think the Sharks XV loose trio is way beter than Sharks super rugby loose trio, would love to see them face each other in a game.
@Tintin (Comment 13) : if it’s even 1 day then it’s 1 day too long
@David12246 (Comment 10) : from the semis on, eligibility rules kick in. You need to have played 2 regular season games to be eligible (or something).
Won’t apply to Alberts because he hasn’t played Super Rugby yet this year.
This game starting @ 15h00, wish they showed it…
@robdylan (Comment 18) : Well said Rob!!!!!! I’m sure the Sharks XV playing him over Fisher was a big reason for Fisher not making the SA 0/20 team. not to be rude but I think it’s time for MJ and Odwa to hang-up the boots.
@robdylan (Comment 19) : So could we have Bismarck on the bench in the semi then?
good luck guys for the game today , hope that they will have enough support for the game today 😉
@Bokhoring (Comment 22) : if he’s ready, I don’t see why not
My team for the Currie Cup & Boks are on duty:
1. Herbst
2. Cooper
3. Maks van Dyk
4. Bresler
5. Peet Marais
6. Daniel
7. Kleinhans
8. Mtembu
9. Reinach
10. Zeilinga
11. Mvovo
12. Bosman
13. Fisher
14. Sithole
15. Viljoen
16. Burden
17. Dell
18. Stander
19. Jandre Marais
20. McCleod
21. Gouws Prinsloo
22. Ndungane
Dell to loosehead, Herbst to tighthead, Mienie on the bench during Currie Cup. Might even be Chadwick at loosehead if he’s any good after his injury. Maks will play u21 rugby
Go LIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!