While the Sharks squad for Super Rugby has started to settle down pretty much as expected, with the young players brought in to “fill gaps” in November and December sent back down to the Grey Squad to prepare for Vodacom Cup action, one under 20 star appears to still be very much in the picture.
Based on snippets of info, it appears that young Daniel du Preez remains with the senior squad at present, slotting in quite comfortably in the number 8 jersey in one of the two shadow sides. An ongoing hamstring niggle is keeping Willem Alberts out of action and with Ryan Kankowski still nowhere to be found, former Kearsney pupil du Preez joins Tera Mtembu as the eighthmen in the current group.
It’s perhaps a bit of a stretch to suggest that Dan will form part of the final squad, once Alberts and Kankowski return, but the experience he’s picking up now – not to mention the time spent working directly with Brendan Venter and the others – must surely stand him in good stead for the season to come. Injury is bound to strike at some stage and given just how long the Super Rugby season is, I certainly wouldn’t bet against the youngster picking up a Super Rugby cap or two before the campaign is over.
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Is Renaldo Bothma still there?
@West Indies Cricket Board (Comment 1) : yes, very much so.
@robdylan (Comment 2) : sorry is Dan the big one or the REALLY big one?
@JD (Comment 3) : he’s bigger than Jean-Luc, but not by much.
Good to hear that the squad members are getting a look in, great for experience and confidence, big Willem Alberts needs to be managed well this year, so I think Bothma will be deployed as a ball-carrying blindside – Number 8 is open for Tera to grab with both hands, and he will. Ryan Kanko will need to produce to unseat Tera, whilst this is happening a youngster is learning from one of the best around… Got to love good news.
What’s happening with Kanko, Rob? He really is no where to be seen.. Will he be back with us for SR? I believe his Japanese club got knocked out, so guessing he should be back then fairly soon. I hope!
@Another Nick (Comment 6) : this is what concerns me.
Yes, he is meant to be coming back. Yes, his club didn’t make the Top League semis…. so where the hell is he?
That said, I recall the Japanese season may be a bit strange in that there’s possibly still a cup competition to be played after the Top League finishes? Not sure.
@robdylan (Comment 4) : thanx.
@robdylan (Comment 7) : Thanks Rob. Possibly playing for a cup or shield of some sorts is the only reason that would make sense why he is still not here.
Rob, what are the two shadow sides out of interest?
@Saffex (Comment 10) : wish I knew pal.
Iam a huge kanko fan but to be honest id rather have dan in the squad I know I might sound a little crazy but kanko just hasnt been the same player for a couple years now. We all know when hes at his best hes right up there, but how long can we wait for him? Dan has all the quality and skills to make a big impact this year plus throw in the exuberance of youth and his versatility and you have all the ingredients of a promising season.
Interesting to see him running at 8 as most of his junior rugby at flank. But as you say could be place holding. Any clarity on what Jacques Bots is doing at the Union this year? Has he been seen around trainings?
@bren_zambezi (Comment 12) : Agreed, the kid is the future and I think Mtembu has Bok written all over him….big fan of this lad
when is the club warm up game isnt it this coming wednesday?
@robdylan (Comment 7) :
How much of a loss is that really?
The Hoff isnt the same player he started here as. We need to stop stalling the team and move forward. We are headed in the right direction i feel. But tempering my excitement until valentines day.
@SheldonK (Comment 13) : Dan played his junior rugby at lock, but did spend most of last year’s under 19 campaign at 8.
Brother Jean-Luc is the flank.
As for Botes, he’s in charge of player recruitment.
@Dunx (Comment 15) : dunno…. it’s all a bit secret squirrel at this stage.
@Big Fish (Comment 16) : right now? Zero.
But again, loose forward depth is a bit of a concern without him in the mix.
He needs to get his head out of his ass now.
@saffex I agree 100% tera and dan are the way forward. If kanko can show the form that made him a bok then awesome but if not I hope the coaching team dont hesitate in selecting either player more so tera for the time being and dan chipping in buiding up some experience with the odd start here and there.
@robdylan (Comment 18) : Shot Rob. Def a big boy for an 8.
@SheldonK (Comment 22) : He is a big boy, but the Hoff has a little more weight on his frame!
I must say that if we get the Hoff back in reasonable shape, that there is not many sights that are more glorious than the Hoff in full flight!
@Bump (Comment 23) : Truth!!
@Bump (Comment 23) : The Hoff’s game has changed in recent years as many many people including on this site said he was just a show pony and didnt front up in the tight stuff…so he has worked on the tight stuff and really gets involved there a lot…which means his running game has been shelved a bit but only as a result of him getting involved up front…he cant both be involved and running amongst the backs. personally i think he has done pretty well the last year or so. He offers a very solid lineout option too
@Bump (Comment 23) : ja but sorry to say can’t remember when last that happened???? could be the Pink game against the Cheetahs during Currie cup lots of years ago?!?!?! hope to see it soon again!!!!!!!!!
@SheldonK (Comment 25) : ja that’s also true!!!!!! he was “told” to play more bashing rugby than his type of running game so ja could be that the coaches did not use him to his full potential?!?!?! Maybe we will get the answer this year with BV and GG in charge?!?!?!
Good news for Dan…good luck man!
@SheldonK (Comment 25) : I agree with you…
@West Indies Cricket Board (Comment 1) : Yes I would have though he would be up for 8 as well as flank?
Good day ladies and gents. Good to be back blogging about our beloved Sharks – I was optimistic but still uncertain with conservative Jake White taking over, but the staff we have recruited here are of the right calibre and the right style I believe!!
I have no idea how far we can go and am not willing to venture a guess, but I think this could be an exciting season nonetheless!!!
The way Brendan Venter has spoken in the past about the balance between bulk and explosiveness (mobility) – I wouldnt be surprised to see a loose trio combo of Coetzee/ Mtembu/ Kanko (if he is fit and firing) tested at some point.
I hope the likes of Chadwick, Thomas du Toit and Adriaanse become heavily involved in 1st team action as both Beast and Jannie have been below their best for years
6. Marcell 7. Alberts 8. Bothma. That is a very balanced combination. Tera on the bench and we are good to go.
@Saffex (Comment 14) : You being serious? Man he is still soaking wet behind the ears!! Streets behind the likes of Vermeulen, Phillip vd Walt, Whiteley and even Willie Britz
@KingCheetah (Comment 33) : Maybe you should read the comment again. He said he is the FUTURE not the present.
@pienaar111 (Comment 31) : Beast and Jannie have been overplayed…and I think it would be really good if Chadwick, du Toit and Adriaanse get more game time…but the “below their best for years” is probably a bit harsh!
@GreatSharksays (Comment 32) : That’s the Combo I like too…though if Alberts is still struggling with a niggle, then I would move Bothma to 7 and Terra to 8…as seems to be the thinking in keeping Dan in there as an 8…
@KingCheetah (Comment 33) : Damn right I am serious……Vermeulen is top dog and v/d Walt is a class player lost to France sadly……but give me Mtembu next.
Potentially the best of the lot is Arno Botha, who should play 8 for the Bulls but will sadly probably end up at 7 thanks to the inclusion of has been Spies
@Saffex (Comment 37) : Yeah forgot about Arno Botha, that boy can play. Hope he can stay injury free.
@GreatSharksays (Comment 32) : sorry, for me that trio lacks pace
@robdylan (Comment 39) : Any further news on the return of K-Dawg?
@Pokkel (Comment 40) : the waters are losing temperature, I believe.
@robdylan (Comment 41) : Pity that.
@robdylan (Comment 39) : I can assure you that Ronaldo is quicker than Dan and Tera. How much of Ronaldo have you seen? I believe he is our secret weapon for 2015. Anyway, SR is starting soon and we shall all see.
@GreatSharksays (Comment 43) : Renaldo faster than Tera? Yo…. I’m not sure hey.
@robdylan (Comment 44) : If not faster, certainly a bit more power. He makes good yards. Think both can be very effective.
@KingCheetah (Comment 45) : And more explosive.
@pastorshark (Comment 35) : ja Beast and Jannie had a huge workload that last couple of years so not fair to expert them to perform at 110% each week. Back up players at the Sharks needs to step up so they an get a bit more rest before the World cup.
Saw now on one of the sites.
Sharks team to head over to Toulon as follows
Lourens adriaanse
Willem Alberts
JC Astle
Ronaldo bothma
Dale chadwick
Marcelle Coetzee
Kyle cooper
Bismarck Dup
Pieter Steph
Thomas Du Toit
Andre esterhuizen
Monde hadebe
Conrad hoffman
Patrick Lambie
SP marais
Beast
terra
Lwazi Mvovo
Odwa
Etiene oosthuizen
Paul perez
Cobus reinach
Sbura
Matt Stevens
Heimar williams
Fred zeilinga
Some noticable admissions so I don’t know if the French are plukking at straws or what’s going on.
@Shane Hansen (Comment 48) : Paul Perez?!?! Sounds like straws to me…
@Shane Hansen (Comment 48) : Also only 2 centres there…that doesn’t look right…
@pastorshark (Comment 49) : ja I’m sure he’s not with the Sharks and don’t think they would leave Wilson.
@pastorshark (Comment 50) : Sorry, there are three centres…but I definitely think Paul Perez is not in the mix!
@Shane Hansen (Comment 48) : I’m waiting for confirmation from the Sharks. I suspect what happened is that they were sent a preliminary list some time back, but I really doubt that’s the final team.
Ommission of Botha and Wilson is baffling.
Regarding Perez, it’s theoretically possible that they’ll look at giving him a trial in this match. With his “home affairs” issues, it might be easier for him to get to France at this stage than to Durban.
@Shane Hansen (Comment 48) : @robdylan (Comment 53) : Ah, so I was wrong…Paul Perez is back in the picture…
@robdylan (Comment 53) : If Botha and Wilson are not in the squad…that would be baffling!
@pastorshark (Comment 54) : yeah. I think Perez will definitely be on the plane.
@robdylan (Comment 56) : That would make sense given the fact that he’s on trial and has clearly not spent time with the squad in recent weeks. Let him show what he can do. Leaving Wilson behind would make far less sense though!
@pastorshark (Comment 57) : it’s tough, though. Only 26 spots.
So that’s a full matchday squad plus only 3 others…. another hooker, another prop and really just one spot for a spare back.
@robdylan (Comment 53) : was not in the past as he could not get a visa to enter France.
@robdylan (Comment 58) : ja not easy to manage things like that. Glad it’s not me that has to make that decisions as someone will always moan and bitch about the choices made!!!!
@robdylan (Comment 58) : @JD (Comment 60) : Well, we’ll see…
@robdylan (Comment 58) : And I suppose rather give Perez a run to show what he can do, than Wilson whom they have seen a lot of…
@pastorshark (Comment 62) : ja they must have seen enough of Wilson as they gave him a contract.