Two players who are intimately familiar with the Sharks setup will face off against them in Nelspruit this weekend, as Steval Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse has named a rejigged backline for the clash.
Wingers Jerome “Trompie” Pretorius and Rosco Speckman both played their junior rugby in Durban – the former at outside centre – while another key player, number 8 Renaldo Bothma, also spent some time with the sharks as an age-group player before his rugby journey led to Nelspruit, via Johannesburg.
Speckmann and JW Bell come into the side at left wing and fullback this week, replacing Heinrich Steyl and Ruwellyn Isbell respectively. The balance of the starting team remains unchanged from the bonus-point win over Griquas at the weekend, while there is a new face on the bench in the form of Lions Super Rugby player Coenie van Wyk.
Steval Pumas: 15 JW Bell, 14 Jerome Pretorius, 13 JW Jonker, 12 Stefan Watermeyer, 11 Rosco Speckman, 10 Justin van Staden, 9 Dylon Frylinck, 8 Renaldo Bothma, 7 Uzair Cassiem, 6 Corne Steenkamp (captain), 5 Giant Mtyanda, 4 Frikkie Spies, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Francois du Toit, 1 Corne Fourie.
Replacements: 16 Frankie Herne, 17 Dee-Jay Terblanche, 18 Marius Coetzer, 19 Jaco Bouwer, 20 Reynier van Rooyen, 21 JC Roos, 22 Coenie van Wyk.
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Thats a better team than the side we played in Durbs….
@SheldonK (Comment 1) : yes, it does look to be.
I like this man Jimmy Stonehouse but unfortunately today he’s against my team. Sharks should make sure that they shut down Bothma, that boy!
I see the Sharks side has been named…but in the interests of not peeing anyone off I shall refrain from listing the team here before the post is…ummm…posted!
Hope the Sharks can do it!!!! Come on Sharks!!!!!!!
@pastorshark (Comment 4) : My bad…I see the post has already been…ummm…posted! Long day at work…
@robdylan (Comment 2) : U kno Rob seeing teams like this being put out by sides like the Pumas makes me think that an 8 team CC isnt a bad thing, especially with Boks removed. Even if the structure is a bit retarded. And brings up the debate of the merit of an SA “A” side touring…but a properly selected SA “A” side of uncapped players.
@SheldonK (Comment 7) : I would like a under20 or A-side competition to run together with the Rugby Championship.
When is Faf de Klerk returning?
@JD (Comment 8) : Similar to the u20 6 nations for example
@Mutley (Comment 9) : That Frylink looked very decent last week. Him plus Faf De Klerk is serious scrummy depth for the Pumas
@SheldonK (Comment 10) : ja just like that.