Cell C Sharks Director of Rugby Jake White has been able to change a mostly unchanged match 23 for Saturday’s final home match of the regular season, against the in form DHL Stormers at Growthpoint Kings Park.
The only change to the squad comes at open side flank, where Springbok Marcell Coetzee has been passed fit to start after missing three games on tour. Coetzee picked up a shoulder injury during the tour opener against the Melbourne Rebels, one of three games the Sharks won overseas.
Veteran Jacques Botes, who came in last week to do an important job in the number 6 jersey against the Blues, drops out of the squad.
Interestingly, White has again backed Tera Mtembu to start at blind side flank, ahead of Springboks Ryan Kankowski and Keegan Daniel, who are both on the bench.
Coetzee will earn his 50th Super Rugby cap this weekend, making the occasion doubly special for him.
The Cell C Sharks
15. SP Marais (Marshall Security Crusaders)
14. JP Pietersen (Thanda Zululand Rhinos)
13. S’bura Sithole (UKZN Impi)
12. Paul Jordaan (Varsity College RFC)
11. Lwazi Mvovo (Ricoh PMB Collegians)
10. Frans Steyn (SA Home Loans Durban Collegians)
9. Cobus Reinach (SA Home Loans Durban Collegians)
8. Willem Alberts (SA Home Loans Durban Collegians)
7. Tera Mtembu (Amanzimtoti Rugby Club)
6. Marcell Coetzee (SA Home Loans Durban Collegians)
5. Stephan Lewies (Amanzimtoti Rugby Club)
4. Etienne Oosthuizen (UKZN Impi)
3. Jannie du Plessis (Marshall Security Crusaders)
2. Bismarck du Plessis (Captain) (Marshall Security Crusaders)
1. Tendai Mtawarira (Jonsson College Rovers)
Replacements
16. Kyle Cooper (Jonsson College Rovers)
17. Dale Chadwick (Ricoh PMB Collegians)
18. Lourens Adriaanse (Amanzimtoti Rugby Club)
19. Ryan Kankowski (Amanzimtoti Rugby Club)
20. Keegan Daniel (Jonsson College Rovers)
21. Charl McLeod (Varsity College RFC)
22. Tim Swiel (UKZN Impi)
23. Heimar Williams (SA Home Loans Durban Collegians)
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Very good team considering, exactly like I said, I could not see JW resting players and making wholesale changes, so from last week it is only the return of Marcell.
Also the whole question some pose as to why JW for example would have Kanko on the bench and bring in Botes last week shows there is no sinister reason, merely tactical reasons for JW and has nothing to do with Kanko or Daniel being out of favour.
Feel like Timmy should have got the nod to start. Guessing Stormers previous game influenced the lack of rotation here.
Very happy with Marcell back. Tera, well he has certainly played himself into that starting spot and deserves it after been such a key player in both NZ games. Stormers are going to have a tough time against the work rate of our flankers.
For me if things go well in the first half it will leave for the likes of Daniel and Kanko to reap havock in the 2nd half
White always said that Schalk Burger seems to be doing the work of three men on the field, but we know Tera does the work of a whole loose trio on the field
@gregkaos (Comment 2) : Greg why on earth would JW take risks at this stage? this is not about giving Timmy or whoever a chance, this is about doing whats right for the team and winning the trophy.
Yes Tim played very well the last time he came on, and yes he played poorly the previous 2 times, so who says the next time wont be poor?
For me the Coach is right, as long as we do not play like we did against the Brumbies and just kick, we need to vary our game like we did in the last 2 matches.
@sharks_lover (Comment 1) : Jake is lucky in having a large pool of good loose forwards. I just believe that Kanko is not doing it for him at 8 at the moment, therefore the more physical Alberts (mostly a seven in recent years) being preferred. Tera is playing very well, we know what Marcel brings to the party, likewise Alberts. All in all a good trio.
This is a home game and a win would wrap up a home playoff position. So it makes sense to select your best team.
Good team, best of luck boys. Mates of mine and I are going to Durban for the game and a good time. The Stormers have me worried as their play has improved big time….. basics of rugby need to apply. Good set piece, hard running and tackling.
@sharks_lover (Comment 1) : yes you got it spot on!!!!!!
@KingRiaan (Comment 4) : Well loose trio is 3 men 😉 😛 😆
This is a very good team. Come on Sharks!!!!!!
@JD (Comment 8) : Hiyas JD, was not rocket science though boet, only thing that could have changed that is if there was bad injuries, we all knew Marcell was coming back in,
@sharks_lover (Comment 5) : For starters… rotation purposes. Agree Tim did not have the ideal start but he was cool calm and collected against the saders, kid has BMT and that performance would have done his confidence a world of good. I do not think he is a risk, and I also prefer the look of Tim 10 Frans 12 , than Frans 10 and Jordaan 12.
Against the *weaker* teams at home we should be able to afford to bring in a bit more rotation, which was also something JW has talked about leading up to this long stretch.
Although having both Lewies and Kanko in the lineout plus Fourie’s pie chucking – could have resulted in us owning the Stormers line out. But then you would probably have to leave Alberts out of the starting trio – meaning a major loss in physicality.
Still a smart decision to play Steyn, even when it was reported that he had a “chronic knee dysfunction”? I mean, I realise now important a win is here, but how far is one willing to go?? He didn’t take part in training at all at the Bok camp, but now starts on Sat? I really hope his injury is not as serious as the reports make it out to be… 😕
@gregkaos (Comment 12) : If you have not noticed Greg, the Stormers have improved big time since the early stages of the season, what this tells you is JW is not under estimating them, that is a very good sign.
Ask the Cheetahs if they think the Stormers are a weak team?
@sharks_lover (Comment 9) : @sharks_lover (Comment 9) : Haha I know, just wanted to put a bit more drama into it.
@sharks_lover (Comment 15) : He should be good to play on saterday, and hopefully the Boks deem him unfit and don’t play him in these useless tests, thus we will have a fresh and fit Frans once the SupeRugby is back on again.
@sharks_lover (Comment 15) : Yes I did.
In fact it was in the first line of what I posted. “Guessing Stormers previous game influenced the lack of rotation here.”
Pretty sure we’re on a similar page here, just disagree on whether Tim is ready or not?
I hope Jake will give Steyn and Alberts a break against the Cheetahs. I expect both of them to do full duty in the Bok games – I can’t see HM selecting two rookie centres and no Alberts against Wales.
@gregkaos (Comment 12) : in this competition their is no “weaker” teams. Playing a SA team when the Sharks just got back from the tour will make this game a very hard game to win!!!
C’mon Fransie, another Super 60/70min and you can take a well deserved break.
@KingRiaan (Comment 16) : 😆
I would have put Alberts on the bench to give him a bit of a rest after his hamstring issues.
@gregkaos (Comment 18) : Greg I have no problems with Tim, my view is just that Fransie is that much more and that Tim in the 2nd half like Keegan and Kanko can come on and cause some havock. yes Tim has the ability to do so.
@pierre_mackie (Comment 21) :
Why are we assuming HM won’t play Frans Steyn with his chronic knee injury? He probably just wanted Steyn to sit the Sharks vs Stormers game out, so that he can be fresh for the Boks.
@JD (Comment 20) : Yup. but you got to call the bottom of the log teams something. So I’d say weaker, but certainly not weak.
I’m under no illusion that this game is going to be easy and am very nervous about it. Stormers generally pick their game up against us especially when they are underdogs.
It seems many have forgotten us losing to the Lions a few years ago when we thought???? ARHHHHHH weaker team ??????
Guys there are no weaker teams, that thought is what makes it come back to bite you in the ass!!!!
Glad to see we have gone with our best players. Stormers are playing good rugby and will very tough to beat. Our defense of their driving maul will be key as will our penalty count. I know this game is in Durban but the summer heat has mostly gone so can we please not just kick the ball to them and defend.
Stormers are not even close to being a weaker team.
This will be an ugly am wrestle of a game. Having the deck skills of Marcel, Easthouse and Bismark will be crucial, as will good execution of our front foot defence (which has been excellent so far).
Turnover attacks will probably decide this game.
@Big Fish (Comment 29) : Amen brother preach the preach 😆
I approve 🙂
@JarsonX (Comment 31) : 😆
@Big Fish (Comment 29) : yes think it will be an very hard ugly game!!!!!! don’t think the Sharks will chance much from what we saw on tour.
I’m an Assistant Coach 😛 When did that happen?
Happy to see Frans playing,I just dont trust Swiel yet to take on a starting role.How long out from returning is Zeilinga?
@BarendL (Comment 35) : 😉
I was very happy to see this side announced…now, men, go out there and win this game!
@sharks_lover (Comment 30) :
😆
TERROR has shown that there will be life after Deysel…abundant life indeed.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 39) : yes Terra has been good this year, but do think Deysel will still be needed during the play offs of Super rugby.
@JD (Comment 40) : I’m thinking of SR 2015, I like Deysel, and was worried about the gap he’ll be leaving when he’s off to pack fish in Japan…but TERROR has shown that he is equal (probably superior) to the task.
I question Kanko’s exclusion, but if he continues this then at least play Tera and Alberts in their rightful positions. Tera will be far more effective than Alberts at 8 since Alberts will play the same from anywhere – hard!
It is a sad day when Super Rugby come before Springbok rugby.
@pienaar111 (Comment 42) : The numbers on the back is probably irrelevant nowadays, and most likely will only apply at scrum time. Nothing stops them from swapping roles throughout the rest of the game.
@BarendL (Comment 35) : I reckon if we had a game next week, Fred would be able to play in it.
In other words, he’ll be back after the break. Then again, so will Lambie, so the point is moot.
@bokbok (Comment 43) : Have to agree
@bokbok (Comment 43) : Agree
@FireTheLooser (Comment 41) : bit worried losing Deysel, Keegan and Botes will be a buge loss but I’m hoping some of the youngsters will come through to help Terra and co next year.
@pienaar111 (Comment 42) : using Terra and Marcell to put pressure on the opposition backs as they’re faster than Albert.
@robdylan (Comment 45) : that will be great to have both Pat and Fred ready after tbe June break. Steyn can then shift to 12 again with Sithole or Jordaan. Seriously good backline and reserves to use for playoffs!!!!