Sharks Director of Rugby Jake White looks set to reveal the first big surprise of his tenure when he names his team to face Saracens this weekend.
Facing somewhat of a conundrum at fullback, given the non-availability of former Kings player SP Marais, reports suggest that 20-year-old outside centre Tyler Fisher is likely to face a baptism of fire when named in the number 15 jersey for Saturday’s game. Fisher, who played for SA Schools after a great Craven Week in 2012, leap-frogged the Sharks under 19 side completely last year and formed a formidable midfield partnership for the under 21s alongside Andre Esterhuizen. Esterhuizen, himself also still eligible for under 20 selection, will also travel to London on Wednesday, but it’s not yet clear how White intends to use him for the match.
So surprised where the assembled media on Thursday when White mentioned Fisher’s possible inclusion that they actually got his name wrong! One seasoned writer, who shall remain nameless for now, referred to the player as “Steve Tyler” in a piece for the Weekend Argus. While the young man from Westville certainly lacks a set to lips to match the gnarled Aerosmith frontman, we’re all backing him to have an “amazing” game on Saturday all the same.

I can’t wait to see the seats Allianz has organised
I guess that is a clear indication then that Swiel will be 10. Wouldv’e loved to see Van Tonder at 15 though.
@KingRiaan (Comment 2) : or Zeilinga
my feeling is that Fred and Tim will get a half each at 10, while Tyler and Jaco will do the same at fullback.
Steve Tyler 🙄 (and nevermind his lips, have you seen Steve Tyler’s bare feet? There’s a mess if I ever saw one)
I would have thought that out of the two, esterhuizen would be picked at 15 rather, given that he has played there often before.
@robdylan (Comment 3) : Oh ja, I forgot that Fred is going with
can’t wait for this match 😆 😀
@vanmartin (Comment 5) : it scares me that you have 🙂
On what channel and at what time will the match be televised? Any one know?
@KingRiaan (Comment 10) : SS1, 16h30 SA time
@robdylan (Comment 9) : I watched an interview where he bared his feet. It haunts my dreams.
@robdylan (Comment 11) : Thanks bud
On what channel and at what time will the Steve Tylers feet be re-televised? Any one know?
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 14) : What has been seen cannot be unseen.
What happened to Sean Robertson?
Was wondering who this Steve Tyler oke was. Had me properly baffled.
Its quite surprising that Jake is considering Fisher for the FB role considering Esterhuizen played a few games for the U21s at FB last season when Robinson, I think it was, got injured.
I did note that Esterhuizen was a touch on the slow side for a FB. Perhaps that’s the reason he’s not being considered for FB for the Sharks.
I don’t know, I think it could be quite exciting to see Steve Tyler on a rugby pitch! Anyway, it’s a warm-up match, so we want to see everyone get a shot.
Rob, will we be allowed a bench of 11 men like our local warm-ups? Or will it be more like an actual match? Furthermore, will this year’s SR see us with the 8-man bench?
@David12246 (Comment 18) : I don’t know how to answer the first question – we will have to wait and see.
As for the second, yes, I can confirm that there will be an 8-man bench in Super Rugby this year.
@GreatSharksays (Comment 16) : let’s just say that John Plumtree was the only oke in the world who believed he was ready for Super Rugby
@robdylan (Comment 11) : thanks for that Rob can’t wait for the feeding frenzy to begin,what a boring last two months
@robdylan (Comment 20) : Let’s be honest though, that match when he was selected last year, we were skeptical but we were very excited and confident that he would show us something good.
@David12246 (Comment 22) : I prefer not to think about last year
Great to see Fisher might start even though he will be out of position. Hope we see Esterhuizen on the bench or better still, starting at 13.
How on earth can someone call themselves a rugby writer and not know who Tyler Fisher is – talk about insulting
Looking forward to seeing how the sharks not only start after considerable time away from matches but also how they handle the artificial turf.
@robdylan (Comment 3) : White made a excellent call, I wonder if esterhuisen will a go. He played full back most of his high school carrier (representative and I always rated him as a sharks 15 prospect. Happy days anyway!
@robdylan (Comment 23) : Just imagine, had van Zyl had his way, we would have had last year for the next two years 😯
The effect that “change” has is quite amazing, makes one wonder why most people are so afraid of it.
YES YES YES only 5 days until I see the Sharks play again!!!!!! Go Sharks!!!!!!!
@JD (Comment 28) : yeeha!
Can anyone please tell me what time the game starts sa time and if it will be on supersport. Thanx.
@Shark Overide (Comment 30) : SS1, 16h30 SA time
@JD (Comment 28) : Van Zyl was out to sabotage the Sharks. That’s the only logical explanation I can think of to explain his behaviour. Change was needed, that combination was not equipped to deal with modern rugby….jeez, at one stage Plum was the forwards, defence and head coach.
I don’t wanna close my eyes, I don’t wanna fall asleep, cause I’d miss the ball and I don’t wanna miss the game. And even when I dream of Bulls, the sweetest dream would never do cause I’d miss the ball and I don’t wanna miss the game.
@Die Kriek (Comment 33) : not your best work 🙂
sometimes I feel my headline writing skills are wasted on you lot 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 35) : I used to love that movie!
@Culling Song (Comment 36) : Robin Williams and….
@robdylan (Comment 34) : Can’t remember trying out my songwriting skills on Sharksworld before
@Die Kriek (Comment 38) :
“skills” is a rather strong word. 😉
@robdylan (Comment 37) : Jeff Bridges
@Big Fish (Comment 39) : 😆
@Culling Song (Comment 36) : Me too, always worth considering a watch when being rebroadcast.
@Big Fish (Comment 39) : Well since you put it that way 🙁
@Culling Song (Comment 40) : Jeff Bridges rocks (and his feet are fine).
@vanmartin (Comment 44) : Jeff Bridges most certainly does not rock… he abides
@Culling Song (Comment 45) : No, he most definitely rocks too.
http://vanessa-miey.blogspot.com/2011/04/jeff-bridges-to-release-solo-album.html
Why is Marais unavailable? Is he with the Kings?
@klempie (Comment 47) : no, chop, he’s injured.
Try to keep up.
@robdylan (Comment 48) : Thanks numbnuts! mwah! 😉
@klempie (Comment 49) : love you honey