The Sharks under 21 coaches have been forced to reshuffle their back row for tomorrow’s clash against the Blue Bulls, with both Guy Alexander (injury) and Khaya Majola (family bereavement) ruled out this week. This has had wider implications for the second row as well.
In fact, it’s only in the front row that an unchanged unit will operate; Junior Boks Allan Dell, Maks van Dyk and Franco Marais enjoy further continuity, with the last-named continuing as captain. Wiehan Hay comes back in at 4 lock this week, after playing off the bench at Newlands, to partner Stephan Lewies. Wade Elliott moves from the second to the back row; he’ll be at blindside flank, with Johan Meyer shifting to 8 to replace Alexander. The final change sees Dylan Nel start again at 6, in place of Majola.
The only change to an otherwise settled backline comes at scrumhalf, where Stefan Ungerer starts ahead of Hanco Venter this week.
Further changes come on the bench, with Marne Coetzee replacing Simon Kerrod as the stand-in prop, Duncan Campbell coming in for Brendan Cope as flyhalf cover and Lungi Mlaba set to make his debut as utility forward cover. Mlaba is a Dundee boy who made his way to the Sharks Academy via Vryheid’s Pionier High School. He’s being rewarded this week for consistent growth over three years at the Academy.
Sharks under 21
15 Sean Robinson, 14 Kotaro Matsushima, 13 Tyler Fisher, 12 Andre Esterhuizen , 11 Alcino Isaacs, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Johan Meyer, 7 Wade Elliott, 6 Dylan Nel, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Wiehan Hay, 3 Nicolaas van Dyk, 2 Franco Marais (capt), 1 Allan Dell
Subs: 16 Greg Bauer, 17 Marne Coetzee, 18 Lungisa Mlaba, 19 Murray Bondesio, 20 Hanco Venter, 21 Dunca Campbell, 22 Gareth Meikle
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I wonder if this will be televised
Finally Campbell to get on the bench. Why is that no 8 from collegians not on the bench even. Had such a brilliant season as has Campbell. BS.
@buzzcat I think if this no8 that you are always talking about was that great he wouldve been in the squad. Have you watched any u21 games this year. Meyer has been very good.
And Guy at 8 has also been good.
Not saying Meyer hasn’t been good. But would have thought the guy would have been included. Watched some of the games for u21 and watched most of them play. So not ignorant so to say. Some 8,s play 7 or 6 too. It is still a pretty good loose trio. Haven’t heard of the new guy getting his start on the bench. What club and side was he playing for.
@buzzcat im not to sure. Im sure the 8 of collegians will get into the squad some time. As the season is still a long way to go. Hoping for a good result vs Bulls u21. Bulls u21 almost the whole baby bok team…
Go Sharks!
I remember watching the Collegians No. 8 play a curtain raiser at the stadium & was going to congratulate him after the game, only to see him light up a cigarette. That’s fine for the club ranks, but not in a Sharks jersey. A great shame for such a talent
@disgruntled shark (Comment 8) : what’s the name?
@disgruntled shark (Comment 8) : I remember back in the 80’s one of the English imports for Natal – may have been Chris Butcher (apologies to him if not) used to sit on the reserves bench and smoke during matches.
@MysticShark (Comment 10) : awesome and a little legendary during the amateur days.
Completely unacceptable for a professional. Even a junior professional. I would have a strict no smoking EVER clause written into every contract.
The number 8 your are talking about in Brandon Backeberg and yes he has had a good season. Johan Meyer is also from Collegians and is still U20.
I think the number 8 that was smoking was from PMB Collegians. The game that day was played between Dbn Collegians and Pmb Collegians.
Campbell and Cope are both from Dbn Collegians as well.
@MysticShark (Comment 10) : Was probably Chris Butcher. I remember having a few jugs of ale with him at Monks Inn and I seem to remember that he smoked. A very relaxed guy.
U19s 13 13 halftime
Sharks u19 lost 19 28
U21 sharks down 6 -15 halftime
ugh. I hate the Bulls
try sharks. bulls 15 vs sharks 11
penalty Sharks…. it’s a 1-pointer.
Bulls lead 15-14 with about 13 min left
sharks 19 bulls 15 15min left
TRY SHARKS!!!!!
YES! We win!
sorry but why did Cope get the drop??
Darn! Missed the game!! Final score anyone ?
19-15 was the final score buzz, u21s played really well, Bulls were huge, sharks held them in the scrums, got a tighthead in fact, no4 lock had a massive game, loose forwards were good Dylan Nel was standout, but man of the match for me was no9 Ungerer