The Sharks have named their 2013 Currie Cup squad, with EP Kings fullback SP Marais one of a few new faces. Marais will join the squad shortly, subject to release from the Kings.
CEO John Smit and Director of Rugby Brendan Venter today named a 43-man squad to compete for the golden trophy, although six members of that group are unlikely to feature due to Springbok Rugby Championship commitments. A few others, most notable Francois Steyn, Paul Jordaan and Pieter-Steph du Toit, are currently injured and also unlikely to enjoy much game time.
In addition to Marais, the Sharks have picked up Rayno Gerber (tight head, Rovigo), Marco Wentzel (lock, Wasps), Justin Downey (flank, Griquas) and Hansie Graaf (utility back, Griffons) to go with Edwin Hewitt, the lock signed from Griquas just before the end of Super Rugby. Young players like Danie Mienie, Sizo Maseko, Jaco van Tonder, Heimar Williams, Fred Zeilinga and Sean Robinson have made the step up from the junior ranks and will play their first Currie Cup campaign for the Sharks.
The full squad is below:
Props: Beast Mtawarira*, Dale Chadwick, Danie Mienie, Jannie du Plessis*, Wiehahn Herbst, Rayno Gerber
Hookers: Bismarck du Plessis*, Kyle Cooper, Craig Burden, Monde Hadebe
Locks: Anton Bresler**, Edwin Hewitt, Pieter-Steph du Toit**, Marco Wentzel, Peet Marais
Loose forwards: Keegan Daniel, Marcell Coetzee*, Willem Alberts*, Jacques Botes, Jean Deysel, Justin Downey, Lubabalo Mtembu, Francois Kleinhans, Brynard Stander
Scrumhalves: Charl McLeod, Cobus Reinach
Flyhalves: Pat Lambie*, Butch James, Fred Zeilinga, Hansie Graaf**
Centres: Francois Steyn**, Tim Whitehead, Paul Jordaan**, Marius Joubert, Heimar Williams
Back three: Odwa Ndungane, Lwazi Mvovo, Louis Ludik, S’bura Sithole**, Sizo Maseko, Jaco van Tonder, Sean Robinson, SP Marais
* denotes Bok RC squad member
** denotes currently injured player
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That’s great news, especially since it was speculated that SP would be going to the Cheetahs
Did we buy him or is he on loan
@Gerrietheshark (Comment 2) : doubtful it would be a loan agreement as EP do play in the CC even though it is 1st Div CC
No Dell. 🙁
But Chumlee Makes it 🙁
Danie Mienie. Has a bit if a potty mouth. The language he used to express his dismay at the “fire John Plumtree” FB petition even shocked me. I hope his rugby is better than his language and grammar. 🙂
maybe the Lions can buy Dell ? 😈
@Zibbie (Comment 6) : Maybe they can offer him free tickets. 😉
Thats great news! i rated SP when he played for the leopards those years ago…
I’m sure he’ll be in and around the fringes, I think there’s a reason they didn’t make him u21 captain and I’m sure he might play a role in there at some point
@KSA Shark © (Comment 7) :
he better show up then !!!! 😛
@Zibbie (Comment 10) : 😆
Um, am I the only one who is concerned the only outside centre in that squad is the infamous Marius Joubert?
@Butchie34 (Comment 12) : no, you’re not.
Ludik will probably play at centre
@robdylan (Comment 13) : Well with SP in our squad that would be perfect.
SP is a very decent signing. Rob, do you know if its a loan deal or a contract?
@The Hobbit (Comment 15) : based on Venter’s comments, I think it’s intended to be a long-term deal, but pending release from the Kings…
“SP is coming in as a squad member, losing Riaan Viljoen [heading to Japan] and possibly Louis Ludik [being courted by Agen] means his is a good addition to the Sharks, a long term investment for SP [Marais] for him to be at a top union like the Sharks.”
Scrummy is a concern. You’d normally look at 3 scrummies in a 30-man squad. To have only two in a 43-man squad is very light.
@robdylan (Comment 17) : It’s like we only have 1 and a half scrummies.
Isn’t Tiaan Meyer around to be third scrummy or they will probably pluck ungerer or venter from u21
Sports 24 still reporting SP off to the Cheetah’s
s’bura broke his hand and is out for six weeks
@sharks4eve2013 (Comment 21) : That really sucks.
Good news sp is the only guy from the kings that I wouldve signed-getting the kriel brothers from the bulls would be awesome aswell
So we let Gouws Prinsloo go only to replace him with Marais who is average imo. Also Reglinghuys & Schonert shown the door and what do we do, replace them with a 30 plus no name brand. The mind boggles. Glad to see Chadwick and Minnie back in their rightful spot. Unfortunately Dell’s weaknesses were exposed in the Lions game and that’s why he has been send back to age group rugby.
If Ludik leaves SP would be a good replacement, but I still think Ludik should be first pick to play 15 for Sharks.
Welcome to the Sharks SP. Looking to seeing you at the Tank.
Would have made more sense to have centres Esterhuizen and Tyler Fisher in the squad ahead of hasbeen Joubert
Team to face Griquas:
15 Ludik
14 Ndungane
13 Williams
12 Whitehead
11 Mvovo
10 Butch
9 Reinach
8 Daniel
7 Deysel
5 Marais
4 Hewitt
6 Botes
3 Herbst
2 Cooper
1 Chadwick
Subs: Burden, Mienie, Gerber, Wentzel, Kleinhans, McLeod, Zeilinga, Marais.
@Original Pierre (Comment 28) : Umm, where to start?
1) Why do you put 6 after 4? Surely 6 goes after 7 if you’re counting backwards?
2) Only 22 players in a Currie Cup matchday squad, not 23
3) Sharks have confirmed that Odwa will play 15 and Ludik 13
4) Heimar Williams is not an outside centre – only inside
5) Marais only arrives today or tomorrow. There’s no way he’s playing this weekend
@robdylan (Comment 29) : LOL okay lets see
I thought we had to select 2 props on the bench. My mistake.
I really think it makes sense to post a team like this, 7,5,4,6 but sorry if I confused you guys.
I only saw just now that Odwa will play fullback.
But hey at least I tried to put a competative team together.
Just couldn`t think of a way around selecting Keegan. Any suggestions?