The punches just don’t stop coming, with yet another second-row forward suffering a serious injury. Having already lost first-choice lineout man Pieter-Steph du Toit to a season-ending knee problem, the Sharks now also have their primary enforcer, Anton Bresler, on the injured list.
Details are sketchy, but we understand that Bresler suffered a shoulder injury against the Bulls. It’s apparently not the same shoulder that he hurt last year, but a similar injury to the other one (as luck would have it). He’s undergoing an operation to correct the damage today and the recovery time is uncertain, but estimated to be at least 3 months.
Jake White, meanwhile, confirmed at a press conference today that the Sharks would be looking to bring in an additional lock to cover for Bresler and du Toit.
We’d like to wish Anton all the best for his recovery.
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I need to stop reading SW when in a good mood :/.
Ag kak!
Wish we could get Mostert back from France.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 3) : Agree, want him back. If he stayed at The Sharks he could have been a bok regular by now. He’s a bladdy good lock!
I am not convinced on Oosthuyzen
So who is next in line in White’s book?
If our locks don’t go overseas, they get injured… if White wants to look for more back-up, is it just in case there are even more injuries, or can we see it as a sign that he doesn’t rate Peet as good enough to play at SR level?
time to get Bakkies to the sharks š
We still have Peet, Hewit and Wentzel…..are they really not good enough?
@Pokkel (Comment 9) : Peet and Hewitt seem good enough, not convinced by Wentzel from what I’ve seen.
What are the availability of some of the Old Boks, Bakkies(doesnt he have a broken arm), Rossouw? Johan Muller? What about a guy like Mouritz Botha?
Probably all tied up with club duties.
@Pokkel (Comment 9) : Aren’t they all 5’s though…..maybe Hewit is a 4?
@Bokhoring (Comment 5) : I like Oosthuizen, I think he has a lot of potential…he actually reminds me of Mostert, who took a while to settle in at the Sharks (injuries aside), but was epic once settled.
Steven frieken Sykes
@West Indies Cricket Board (Comment 14) : He’s signed to the Kings for another year. If Jake rates him a lone deal would probably need to be worked out.
@West Indies Cricket Board (Comment 14) : I think we have the same in Hewet as we had in Sykes.
Need a 4 with swagger, attitude and a willingness (read appetite) to hurt the opposition.
Sykes is the man to get.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 16) : We need to win our lineouts under pressure. Attitude can be dealt with. Who else is out there?
Steven Sykes. Case closed.
Welcome to Stormers world and you buggers must still go tour
Number 4 is pretty well covered. It’s finding a quality number 5 jumper that should really concern the Sharks.
@The Great Couch Shark (Comment 21) : Hen’s teeth. The Bulls are probably already all over any even slightly promising 5.
Ek bel vanoggend Kings Park se kaartjie kantoor om te hoor of daar nog plek is vir saterdag se game. Ja, se die tannie. Watter posisie speel jy?
Only lock I want back at the Sharks is Jandre Marias!!!!!!
@West Indies Cricket Board (Comment 23) :
Are these injuries a case of bad luck or conditioning not being where it should be or just bad technique at the contact?
@JJR (Comment 4) : What a loss that was, I rated him too! Would have been great to call on a guy like him. How is he doing now though?
With the number of locks the Sharks have both signed and let go in recent years I say dont bother signing anyone. Promote from within. If Juandre had just been patient he would have been number 1 lock now. A lesson to impatient youngsters…
š NO!! Let this all be a bad dream……my poor Sharks š„ I so wanted this to be OUR year to win the SuperRugby trophy…..will keep positive for my team, they can still do this ā
I would look at Mostert, Quin Roux, jandre Marais, peet Marais.
Outside crazy would be Danie Russow, or mould Jean dysel to get in at 4….Andries Bekker would be awesome!!!!
These are the locks playing abroad
Gerhard Mostert – Stade Francais
Juandre Kruger – Racing Metro
Anton van Zyl – Stade
Carl Wegner – Stade
Johan Snyman – Scarlets
Martin Muller – not sure
George Earle – Scarlets
Jandre Marais – Bordeaux
Hendrik Roodt – Grenoble
Bakkies Botha – Toulon
Isak vd Westhuizen – Glasgow – returning to Kings
Quinn Roux – think Leinster
Francois vd Merwe – Racing Metro
Plus a whole host of others who play in Top 14 and Pro D2
Wentzel need to be in. He is a good lineout winner. No doudt, no question.
then Peet and Edwin to do the physical stuff. Both had a decent currie cup and final.
enough cover in rhe squad. Use it!
Johan Muller? Not sure when the season ends in Europe but he was going to be retiring at the end of their season. Wouldn’t be the worst thing on earth getting him over here to fill the gap for the rest of the season. Besides he may be up for a last swan song at the Sharks. Left field pick but hey he fits the profile!
Andries Bekker! No better option IMO. And he is fit and free in a few weeks!!!!
We only need to give Bekker a good option money wise and to seal the deal John Smits mustang for 3 months to use. I am sure if you include a Park Bench the deal is done!!! Get Bekker!!!! Get him!!! @slammerboy (Comment 31) : @FireTheLooser (Comment 13) :
@BoerSeun (Comment 34) : We’re trying to solve injury problems, not add to them š
@Vince (Comment 33) : If he is Moving to Durban after his seasont here finishes its definitely worth getting Muller. I cant see it happening but would def be a smart move
Sorry to hear about Anton’s injury. He is a great player and was just finding his form. Wish him a speedy recovery!
I heard an interview with Jake last night. He will announce a cover lock ? Surely as a coach you develop and use the talent that is contracted to your union. They were part of the S15 pre season and squad. Peet and Hewitt are young, talented physically strong and have shown they can play good Rugby. Hewitt have S15 experience. When Jake started as coach he said he will give everybody in his S15 squad an equal opportunity ? He brought his boy Ettienne to the Sharks and nobody is convinced about him. Give Hewitt and Peet an opportunity! Coach them develop them – that is your job! Peet can play 5 and Hewitt plays 4 in the mould of Sykes and Mostert. Hewitt outplayed Sykes last year when the Sharks beat the EP kings in the S15 match. Our biggest risk at the moment is 5 lock. If Lewies gets injured(God Forbid) we are in trouble.
Should Jake consider rotation policy like Brendan introduced?
What’s this about Keegan moving to Japan? Just for the Currie Cup time or full contract?
@David12246 (Comment 39) : nah I think he’s gone
@Observer (Comment 38) : If there is 1 thing we should know about JW is that is he stubborn and set in his ways about what he wants and who he rates and doesnt rate. He did a lot of unconvential things at the Brumbies and during his time with the Boks. Unfortuantely some coaches rate players better than others and we can only judge by what happens on the field but dont get to see the trainings etc. Personally id like to see us promote from within but its not my business to run only to support.
@David12246 (Comment 39) : If I’m not mistaken, it’s the same as with Deysel and Kanko – just for CC.
@SheldonK (Comment 41) : Good Point made. But when you are in the shit you cannot be stubborn unless John has given him carte blanche to spend as he pleases. The other players are contracted and a expense to the union.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 42) : no, it’s full time. He’s not coming back.
Nothing is confirmed about Deysel, BTW… but strong rumours persist.
@Observer (Comment 43) : Yeh look its hard for people to change their traits but i think any management team would slightly hit the panic button if they lost players the calibre of PSDT, Lambie, Bresler, Jordaan, even Daniel etc
Look, while I agree that Jake is being a little short-sighted in completely overlooking Peet, I agree that we need to get an experienced lock into the mix.
I mean, Oosthuizen and Lewies have about 10 Super Rugby caps between them, and Marais has none. Having Bresler there with his 3-4 seasons’ of experience gave Jake a bit of freedom to experiment, but we now need to get a greybeard in there around whom the youngsters can develop.
@robdylan (Comment 46) : Why not Hewitt or Wentzel then?
@robdylan (Comment 46) : Speaking of beards… would be great if we could loan Alistair Hargreaves from Sarries. š
@robdylan (Comment 46) : to quote you “Marco Wentzel was going to help the youngsters” What is your view on Hewitt he has S15 experience ?
Anyway Jake will do what he sees fit.
@Die Kriek (Comment 47) : Hewitt has like 3 Super Rugby caps himself…
My personal feeling is that Wentzel would be a great guy to bring a little closer. His rehab is now complete, so hoping Jake might relent and include him going forward.
@gregkaos (Comment 48) : Great Idea ROB. Is this possible ?
@Observer (Comment 49) : don’t rate Hewitt as the guy who’s going to save us…
@Observer (Comment 51) : EDIT. Al has been training with Smitty. Dont’ think he actually rode it
@Observer (Comment 51) : Jake has someone lined up, that much seems clear to me. With Smitty there, I reckon there’s probably a better-than-average chance that a Saracens guy would be first choice.
@robdylan (Comment 50) : The outcome will be that we will loose the following locks.
Bressler – confirmed, Peet, Hewitt and with PSDT long term injury what will we do in the CC? Locks are a scarce commodity. France and Europe taking them !
@gregkaos (Comment 53) : no way? Did he?
@robdylan (Comment 56) : Sorry I saw a tweat from Al last week. He is definitely hanging out with Smit and Butch. When he said cape epic… I think he was refering to the training ride he did with Smit.
@Observer (Comment 55) : well, Hewitt is confirmed as leaving. Not sure about Peet, but surely he must be looking?
@robdylan (Comment 52) : Is Ettienne going to save us ? š
@gregkaos (Comment 57) : tell you one thing, if he’s riding that beast, there’s no way he’ll be ready to play Super Rugby in 2 weeks time.
@Observer (Comment 59) : look, I think it’s clear from what you’ve posted here over the last few months that you don’t like him. That’s fine, we all have opinions about players.
I never liked Ryan Walker or Kees Lensing š
As for his ability, well… I haven’t seen enough to be sure. I don’t like his disciplinary record in the few short appearances I’ve seen form him, but he’s a big, aggressive boy and we have to concede that many guys who develop into greats at 4 always start out being a bit of a liability in terms of discipline.
Would I rather see Oosthuizen given a start than see the best 7 we have played out of position? Every day of the week.
Why do we burn through so many locks at the Sharks?….I always thought it was Plum, but the trend has not even skipped a beat since his departure.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 62) : wish I knew the answer
@robdylan (Comment 61) : Rob, Could not agree more with your last comment ! It is an absolute waste !
@robdylan (Comment 61) : “Would I rather see Oosthuizen given a start than see the best 7 we have played out of position? Every day of the week.”
Amen!
Comment 62: A lot of these guys are leaving because they know there are no future prospects to make the Springbok team, especially those who put in heart and soul and do not even get invited to training camps. HM has his favourits. No take for yourself, if you’re in a job, and there are no prospects of promotion, you would also feel like quitting and leaving. Then you tend to go where the money is, seeing that a rugby career do not last too long. Bad if you fought like hell to get somewhere and you know you don’t stand a chance!!!!
@Marge (Comment 66) : I guess that’s what behind Worsie’s decision, isn’t it?
@robdylan (Comment 58) : I’m sure Peet will join his brother in France. I personally think Peet must be given a chance but like you said the coach has his own favourites and ideas.