Cell C Sharks Director of Rugby Jake White has confirmed that the tour squad is in a good state of health ahead of Friday’s opener against the Melbourne Rebels.
Talking to the Sharks Website, White revealed that centre S’bura Sithole, who left the field early during Friday night’s debacle against the Highlanders, is the only player in the group of 27 currently not fit for selection. White hope to pick his strongest available combination for the game.
This probably implies a start for Fred Zeilinga in the number 10 jersey, with Frans Steyn and Paul Jordaan again combining in midfield. Odwa Ndungane should return on the right wing, with JP Pietersen moving to the left to replace Sithole.
Further, it’s anticipated that Bismarck du Plessis and Jean Deysel will return to the starting side, with Willem Alberts likely to move back into the second row.
The Sharks team for Friday morning’s match will be announced later this afternoon.
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I wouldn’t object to giving Willem Alberts a break, sit him on the bench and retain the locking combo that played in the previous game, if necessary he can come on if things start to go wrong.
@Jacques Venter (Comment 1) : I second that.Ettiene Oosthuizen brought some new hunger and aggression wich the pack really needs.Willem must be really tired by now.
@Jacques Venter (Comment 1) : Agreed. Oosthuyzen did not do to badly in that game. I would also select Kanko to the starting lineup again.
Does this mean Reinach is also fit to play again?
@Jacques Venter (Comment 1) : Problem is that the locking combo that played last Friday didn’t give us the grunt we need from our locks. That fact also played a part in our ability to control the tempo of the game hence we were always a second too late. We also lost our mobility with Jean not playing. Jean is able to stay on his feet and ensure continuity. He is right up there in terms of off loads this SR. Alberts playing 7 battled for some reason and needs to evolve his game or needs to be second or third receiver if he is really add value. At first receiver he easily gets tackled. Opponents simply put his ankles together.
@GreatSharksays (Comment 5) : Don’t think the locking combo was the problem.It looked more like we needed the direction of Bissie in the front and Kyle just doesn’t have the same impact and presence that Bismarck has.
Frans, Marcell and Beast, surely due a rest now? Not to mention the Doc.
@Bokhoring (Comment 4) : he’d better be because he’s one of only two scrumhalves on tour
@uShaka (Comment 7) : when we took a home loss against the Highlanders, any option to rest players against the Rebels went out of the window
If Reinach is fit he needs to be thrown in there as well.Charl has been rubbish.Will be comforting to see Fred running things at the back again too!
@robdylan (Comment 9) :
I’m afraid you’re probably right Rob. Hindsight’s a fantastic thing but I suspect if the changes that were enforced on Friday were planned earlier in the week the team might have performed better had they had a chance to train and mentally prepare for the game. I saw no leadership and no one took control of the game.
@Jacques Venter (Comment 11) : kind of sad given how many centurions and 50+ test cappers we have.
Seems as though Sbu and Paul have worked out their own private rotation policy
@robdylan (Comment 12) :
It’s not something new to the Sharks, too often in the past have we seen the same thing happen, all it takes is one or two frontline players to succumb to injury and the rest of the guys just seem to lose focus. I’ve often thought the team needs to engaged the services of a good sports psychologist to work with the guys on this.
@robdylan (Comment 9) : Haha indeed! Guess we’ll all just have to cross fingers and hope nothing nasty happens to them.
Hey Rob – it’ll be great if the team is as you suggest it might be!
@tigershark (Comment 6) : Agree on Bismarck being a leader and giving us direction but don’t underestimate the platform the rest of the tight 5 give him or Kyle for that matter. Kyle is used to kicking butt on the field, why could he not stamp his mark on the game last Friday? Our locks were nowhere and Alberts was just ineffective at 7. We can only implement our vice like grib on a game if we have the man power. Unfortunately our number 4’s are not where they should be yet. Alberts is doing a beautiful holding job though.
Yas that one knock on by Keegan, still can’t get over it! Is Dr. Sherylle Calder on tour with the boys?
@GreatSharksays (Comment 17) : Actually saw some stats on forward play and Lewies was right up there with his lineout work and I thought Oosthuizen complimented him well with more robust play and was the only player in the first half to really make an impact.But Alberts is probably the better option this Saturday.
@tigershark (Comment 19) : I would still give Alberts a rest (he looks to be the one in most need) and start Oosthuyzen.
Fred! Fred! Fred! Fred! Fred! 😛 😛
😆 😆
@tigershark (Comment 19) : Oosthuizen did really well. I didn’t realize he is still so young. For the life of me don’t understand why he was subbed so early.
@Southern_Shark (Comment 22) : Was surprised as well when he got replaced.Must have been a premeditated move because he was really giving it a go!
So, for Friday starting 15 may just be: 1 Beast, 2 Bissy, 3 Jannie, 4 Alberts, 5 Lewies, 6 Marcel, 7 Deysel, 8 Kank, 9 Mcleod, 10 Zeilinga, 11 Odwa, 12 Frans, 13 Jordaan, 14 JPP, 15 Mvovo? Not a bad team by any means!
Where is the team, less than 48 hrs to kick off. Maybe a few more than just Sbura are doubtfull.
Are the guys in Oz yet?
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 25) : just been named… getting it up
@robdylan (Comment 27) : 😎 good man.
regardless of what team is announced, i will believe the team only when i see them on the park.