Cell C Sharks under 19 coach James Fleming has named his team to take on the Leopards in Potchefstroom on Saturday.
There are few changes to the side that prevailed in a dour win over the Cheetahs a fortnight ago; Chris Lines comes in at fullback for the benched Joshua Bragman in the only change to the starting team – Daniel du Preez having done enough at number 8 last week to retain his place at the back of the scrum ahead of Ayron Schramm, who earlier in the season was appointed captain. There’s no sign of Schramm again this week, with prop Ruan Kramer continuing as skipper in his stead.
In a somewhat strange move, the 8-man bench features four backline players; that said, both outside centre Marra Louw and left wing Retief Marais played among the forwards as schoolboys, so the coach will feel he has adequate cover there.
Coming in this week for the first time is Maritzburg College centre Marcel Coetzee – unrelated to the Bok flanker of the same name – who is still at school but understood to have signed a junior contract with the Sharks for next year.
The Cell C Sharks Under 19s
15. Chris Lines, 14. Malcolm Cele, 13. Marius Louw, 12. Merlyn Pieterse, 11. Retief Marais, 10. Innocent Radebe, 9. Rowan Gouws, 8. Daniel du Preez, 7. Jean-Luc du Preez, 6. Adriaan de la Rey, 5. Hyron Andrews, 4. Johan du Toit, 3. Ruan Kramer (Captain) , 2. Jordan Meaker, 1. Mzamo Majola
Replacements: 16. Wesley White, 17. Cameron Holenstein, 18. Mthunzi Moloi, 19. Wian Vosloo, 20. Matthew Reece-Edwards, 21. Joshua Bragman, 22. Brad Ellse, 23. Marcel Coetzee
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Does Retief Mararis also go by Phillip? Seen that name too, and I assume they are the same guy (third Marais bro, was talk of having him play wing a few months back). Hope we can keep this one around! Seems like this is a family XV, notice another du Toit in the second row, Wesley White on the bench, and I am pretty certain Reece-Edwards is related to Hugh. The du Preez in the back row are Rob’s sons, and Robert’s brothers I think as well! Now don’t tell me number 23 is the younger brother of our flanker… 😉
@Here be dragons (Comment 1) : so Retief’s first name is Philip, but apparently nobody calls him that.
And yes, the du Toit is Pieter-Steph’s brother.
Matt Reece-Edwards is Hugh’s son. Marcel Coetzee is no relation to Marcell Coetzee.
I see Esterhuizen has recovered enough to be played at 7 again.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 3) : yeah, I just got that up. Sorry about the delay, was just trying to get confirmation on another positional switch,
@robdylan (Comment 2) : Good info, cheers!
@robdylan (Comment 4) : Another bombshell?
@durbsguy (Comment 6) : no, not really.
Just a flank moving to prop, you know, regulation stuff….
Geez, still haven’t learned from Brent Russell!
@Here be dragons (Comment 8) : we never tried him at prop…. #fail
I always saw Russell as a second row. I was more referring to the mentality of playing players in various positions for the sake of it. Russell left because of it, but didn’t seem to have any better luck elsewhere.
@Here be dragons (Comment 8) : Beast played flank before he shifted…sometimes the Sharks get it right…same with the Burden outside center to hooker switch.
The Sharks are probably the most successful at switching players…it’s our “utility” players that creates career issues.
@robdylan (Comment 7) : Is du Plessis still in the naughty corner?
@robdylan (Comment 9) : Rob at the beginning of the season you posted a pic of the u19 contracted guys…are all those guys in these age group sides and performing? Just curious to see how much of a return the Sharks are getting on their investment
@FireTheLooser (Comment 11) : Very true. Russell was almost too talented. Was delighted to see him play in the John Smit XV a few years back; still had it!
@FireTheLooser (Comment 12) : apparently he’s in the injured corner… Shoulder op, out for up to 4 months.
@SheldonK (Comment 13) : that’s a good question. Let me try answer it quickly.
Bear in mind we contracted like 5 locks, so not all are going to get a look in.
Off the top of my head.
1) Thomas du Toit… say no more
2) Andrew du Plessis (hooker) – recovering from serious injury
3) Ruan Kramer – under 19 captain
4) Dan du Preez – under 19 starter
5) Jean-Luc du Preez – under 19 starter
6) Hyron Andrews – under 19 starter
7) Johan du Toit – under 19 starter
8) Petrus du Busson – not making under 19s at present
9) Wandi Mazibuko – no clue where he is
10) Marius Louw – opensider being played at 13 for under 19s
11) Retief Marais – lock being played at 11 for under 19s
12) Ayron Schramm – not currently in under 19s, but I think he had an injury
13) Cam Wright – with seniors
14) Inny Radebe – under 19 starter
@robdylan (Comment 16) : So majority are in the side and featuring. The results havnt been great so a bit worrying about the calibre of player we getting altho guys do develop later than others. Very interesting to see guys being signed as having played one position and then moving to a totally different position. I wonder if this was the intention when they were signed. And if the retread was the purpose then were there no guys in those positions good enough to sign. Just food for thought. Will be interesting to follow this list of guys over say the next year or so.
@robdylan (Comment 16) : 😯 Sharks are taking positional switches to a galactic level 😐