While much is being made of the fact that Frans Steyn was one of a number of players to sit out training during day 1 of the Springbok camp, Jake White seemingly doesn’t share the pessimism around the state of his knees.
Talking to the Sharks website, White intimated that the side should be at full strength for this weekend’s crucial home clash against the Stormers, after no injuries new were reported following Fridays win over the Blues.
What’s more, the Sharks should be further bolstered by the availability of Marcell Coetzee, who left the tour early after suffering a shoulder injury against the Rebels in the first week. While White wasn’t able to specifically confirm it, it’s believed the Bok flanker – one of the form players of the opening rounds – should come back into contention.
For the Sharks, winning this crucial last home game of the regular season is absolutely non-negotiable. After a tough tour, Bismarck du Plessis and his charges will need to dig deep once more and produce the goods against a Stormers side that is in a mean mood and has a big upset win firmly in their sights.

This is going to be tough game. Playing teams that have nothing to lose is always very tricky.
It will be interesting to see which team JW selects
Thankfully the Sharks arrived home on Saturday already, so enough time to prepare for this Saturday.
Think our best loosie currently is TERROR…..we’re really building the kind of depth that warrants a rotation policy, should be well in place by next year, as the Boks will probably have a bit more rest during the CC.
I see Cobus Reinach has shaved his beard; now he’s going to be even quicker with all that drag eliminated…
@Bokhoring (Comment 1) : Well, the Streamers played a tsietas team with nothing to lose, and we all know what happened there. 😉
This game could go three ways….a close loss, a close win, or a run away victory.
WIth the SHarks, we just never know.
Any news on when Fred will be back?
@FireTheLooser (Comment 4) : Yeah – but both teams had nothing to loose. Very different when one team has all to play for and the other one plays for pride only.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 4) : LOL love that prediction!!!
@Culling Song (Comment 3) : 😆
Good news about Coetzee,
Frans has been a real warrior
Eish very nervous about this game – going to be a tough one.
A friend of mine was drinking tequila with Peter Grant at a wedding on Saturday night. Not sure why he didn’t accidentally put his chair down on the guy’s foot…
@robdylan (Comment 11) : The way he is playing nowadays – as a Sharks fan you do want him available for selection.
@Bokhoring (Comment 12) :
@Bokhoring (Comment 12) : @robdylan (Comment 11) : yea true bok, I’d rather have him starting lol. But I like your vindictive spirit rob… Lol
@robdylan (Comment 11) : How much tequila? Maybe he tried, and missed 😆
@Culling Song (Comment 3) : @robdylan (Comment 11) : @Bokhoring (Comment 12) : @Greg (Comment 15) :
@Greg (Comment 15) : that’s always possible 🙂
@Culling Song (Comment 3) : Once Steyn shaved his upper lip, he started slotting those penalties again…the facial foliage definitely causes some balance issues 😆
Bulls er Bok coach Heyneke can make all the noise he wants.
We simply cannot afford to let Frans have an operation now and sacrifice our best chance of winning the super 15 since . . well its inception.
Let him select Allende for the Bokke, it`ll suit us just fine.
Frans Steyn is a world class rugby player. With him, Willem Alberts, Bismarck and all the guys… anything is possible… missing my irish guy Pattie though…
I really do want to see Frans thump Cheslin Kolbe again…hope the knee thing isn’t too serious…
Any updated news on when exactly Pat and Fred will be available for selection again?
@FireTheLooser (Comment 18) : 🙂 🙂 🙂
Pats out for the rest of the S15 and RC. Not sure about Cobus
@Caratacus (Comment 24) : Pat will play again after the June break.
@Caratacus (Comment 24) : Cobus is ok he’s playing, hope Fred is ready to play soon! 😉
@robdylan (Comment 25) : that’s great news!! Anything on Fred?
@robdylan (Comment 25) : Best news of the day!
15 SP
14 JP
13 Jordaan
12 Frans
11 Mvovo
10 Lambie
9 Reinach
Tahs don`t stand a chance . . .
@Original Pierre (Comment 28) :
What has Sbura done to warrant being dropped? Or does being called up by Meyer count against him?
@Big Fish (Comment 29) : It’s a tough call that really. But to be honest if I was to choose between the 2 for this Saturday I would rather start with Paul. Very tough choice though.
@robdylan (Comment 25) : Just wanted to confirm that that was still on…excellent news!
It will be interesting to see the final squad this weekend. At hooker it has to be Bismarck with one of Brits or Burden – just because I can’t believe the Boks could ever have enough injuries to see the day Callie makes a Bok squad.
@pastorshark (Comment 32) : must agree! !! Burden really sorted his hooker play since joining Toulon and for me he must be second to Bismarck!!!!!