Sharks forward coach Brad Macleod-Henderson has confirmed that two more players are carrying “bumps and bruises” after Friday’s Currie Cup encounter against the Lions.
In an interview with the Sharks website, Macleod-Henderson revealed that lock Marco Wentzel and flank Jean Deysel both took a bit of strain in the game, implying that both will be watched during the week to see how they go. While there is plenty of cover for Deysel, with the likes of Justin Downey and Francois Kleinhans yet to crack the match 22, lock is a bit more of a problem; Peet Marais is a natural replacement for Wentzel as a starting option at 5, but when it comes to finding a man to cover the position off the bench, Deysel’s, alas, is the only name that could really feature.
One fancies it would take a bit of really terrible luck for both to be ruled out of Friday’s encounter against the Cheetahs, though.
Odwa Ndungane will definitely be out of action for between a fortnight and three weeks, with Sizo Maseko, Tim Whitehead and Keegan Daniel likely to come back into the frame this week.
While Maseko looks like a pretty obvious swap for Ndungane in the back three, managing the re-introduction of Whitehead will be more tricky, given Heimar Williams’ superb debut against the Lions.
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Actually for me this is the easier option:
12 Tim/Heimar
13 Heimar/Tim
14 Jaco
11 Mvovo
15 Ludik
Williams definitely deserves another shot, he looked good
@JustPlainSHARK (Comment 1) : Why not Maseko at 14? Out and out finisher and back to full fitness.
@RuckingFun (Comment 2) : Very happy that he is showing us why The Sharks have put so much faith in him. Great Debut!
we’ve actually got a bit of a problem in the back 3 now…. how do you leave out Marais?
For my money (they won’t do this, though) Maseko should go to 11, with Marais at 14 and van Tonder at 15.
More likely given who we have this week is Maseko and Mvovo at win, Marais at fullback and Jaco still on the bench.
Move Ludik back to 15 where he is best. Keep Marais on the wing with Maseko or van Tonder on the bench. Then have a midfield of Whitehead and Williams. I am sure Williams would be just fine at 13.
@David12246 (Comment 6) : Agreed.
still forgetting esterhuizen and fisher….bigger faster and better than those already in the mix..!!!!!
I agree,back these two youngsters and our weakness at 12 and 13 will be fixed properly