You’ve got to feel for Andre Esterhuizen. So far, his much-talked-of move to the back row has been more theoretical than practical, with a total of around 20 minutes game time in the new position since the switch was first tried.
The big lad went off injured after just a few minutes of his first game at flank and was moved back to centre after a similar amount of time last week; such was him impact when back in his favoured position, though, that the Sharks under 21 coaches have seen fit to give him the number 12 jersey back for this weekend’s must win encounter against Border in East London.
There have been rather sweeping changes to the side that beat the Leopards last weekend, with plenty of jersey switches going on. Alcino Izaacs moves from wing to fullback, in place of Tim Swiel, whose name is suspiciously absent this week. Neil Maritz shifts from inside centre to wing, while Alrin Eksteen comes into the starting team at wing for the benched Sipho Mkhize. Legend Marwana and Brendan Cope are the only backs to start in the same positions as last week – the final change seeing fit-again Stefan Ungerer assume both the captaincy and the number 9 jersey.
Up front, things are no less strange. Louis Hazelhurst (number 8) and Barend Potgieter (the prop who was a flanker two weeks ago) are the only men to stay put. Jean Pretorius moves up from the bench to play blindside, with Sias Koen moving from lock to openside. Buzwe Mpotulo moves from flank to lock, while Ferdie Horn comes up from the bench to pack down beside him. Roan Dalzel moves up from the bench to start at hooker, with Baby Bok prop Marne Coetzee coming in for Bart le Roux at tighthead.
Wesley White – Director Jake’s son – moves up from the under 19 ranks to cover hooker off the bench, while Liam O’Connell and Tyler Fisher return to the 22 this week.
Cell C Sharks Under 21s: 15. Alcino Izaacs, 14. Neil Maritz, 13. Nkululeko Marwana , 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 11. Alrin Eksteen, 10. Brendan Cope, 9. Stefan Ungerer (capt) , 8. Louis Hazelhurst, 7. Jean Pretorius, 6. Sias Koen, 5. Ferdie Horn, 4. Buzwe Mpotulo, 3. Marne Coetzee, 2. Roan Dalzell , 1. Barend Potgieter
Replacements: 16. Wesley White, 17. Bart le Roux, 18. Liam O’Connell, 19. David “Danger” Fisher, 20. Hanco Venter, 21. Tyler Fisher, 22. Sipho Mkize
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Wonder why Tyler can’t make the starting 15? If Swiel is not in the team it should have been a great chance to play Tyler at 15.
Ah, good to see Ungerer back…
Does that mean the end of the experiment?
If you say no. 13’s surname really fast it sounds like…
@JD (Comment 1) : Tyler’s just coming back from that nasty facial injury he picked up.
@pastorshark (Comment 4) : haha…. there was another youngster we had with the last name Dube…. should have picked them together 🙂
@pastorshark (Comment 3) : who knows? If you think we’re confused, spare a thought for the player
And does no Swiel mean he plays some CC rugby this weekend? Interesting stuff…
@robdylan (Comment 6) : Haha…what a centre combo that would have been! Bet they’d have been creative!
@robdylan (Comment 5) : ja forgot about his injury, it’s a pity though.
@pastorshark (Comment 3) : who knows…………. actually JW knows.
@robdylan (Comment 7) : Any indication whether injuries to alternative centres have pushed their hand? Or have they just decided to move him back?
@pastorshark (Comment 8) : I actually think Tim picked up an injury
@pastorshark (Comment 9) : and would have been a sight to behold at the post-match buffet
@pastorshark (Comment 12) : I literally have no idea what’s going on. Hoping to get some clarity from Kayser next week.
@robdylan (Comment 6) : is their not a player named Lucky to join Dube at centre.
Interested to see what the u19 team will look like…
@Talent (Comment 17) : it went up before this one
Where is Jean-Luc du Plessis? Was disappointed he didn’t get a shot for the SA U20 earlier in the year, unfortunate he was too close to Pollard age-wise. Man, I have to double check the names before I type so much, Jean Luc du Preez, Jean Luc du Plessis!
@Here be dragons (Comment 19) : he’s had to have shoulder surgery… not sure he’ll play again this year.
And he did get a bit of time for SA under 20, although admittedly not much.
Yep, can’t blame them wanting to persist with Pollard, being pretty familiar with JWC (think he managed three years of it!). We have some good young potential 10s, now just need to manage them. Thanks for the info, much appreciated!
Does anyone have a list of all the injuries we have in the u21’s and u19’s…might put their performances into perspective?
Mmmkay
Marwana will run nicely off Esterhuizen and Cope can distribute well, will also help have Ungerer back so the backline should be good in theory! Lets hope the forwards can front up with all those changes. Esterhuizen is still young so lets just let the kid play in the position he is most comfortable and see what develops. No Swiel, is he injured or int he senior side??
Very happy to see Ungerer back.
Hopefully he gets some game time under his belt and then gets drafted straight into the Sharks side.
Think Wright needs more time at the lower levels.
@SheldonK (Comment 24) : I think he might cop a bench spot for the seniors…. will have to see.
@robdylan (Comment 26) : I have that feeling too…but that would mean one of SP Marais or Cronje misses out
So when is Esterhuizen making the meaningful move – to Western Province?
Any score here?
@FireTheLooser (Comment 29) : Sharks 59 – 10 Border.. Apparently
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 28) : hopefully never!!!!!!!! I believe sense will prevail and he will stay with the Sharks for a very long and successful time!!!!!!!
According to SARugby- Tries: Izaacs, Eksteen, Potgieter, Marwana, Maritz, Ungerer, White, Esterhuizen (2)
Conversions: Cope (6), Ungerer
@Here be dragons (Comment 32) : looks as if our boytjie is determined to show what he can do if only given a chance.
its good to see wre back to winning.