A quick injury update from the Sharks tells us that Bismarck du Plessis is over his shoulder complaint and has been cleared to face the Lions this weekend.
Beast Mtawarira’s injury is also not as serious as first feared – it seems to just be a calf strain set to keep him out for the next few weeks.
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Very good news
Few weeks sounds WAY better than the entire season.
Either way, get well soon Beast
@Die Kriek (Comment 2) : I think that “entire season” thing was always a little extreme.
Good news all round, Bissie and Deysel need to start. Deysel has an aura that makes the players around him gain confidence. You could sense the change in urgency when we came on. Hugely underrated player and showed some soft hands too. Bismarck will be a big boost, and great news on Beast. Still confident for a very competitive season.
@Richard (Comment 4) : Andre Esterhuizen and Sithole should start at centre with Odwa on the wing.
Good news!
Relieved
We only realised Saturday how much Bissie brings to this teams.Few things that come to mind are leadership, power in the scrums, grunt in the loose and he’s the best ballstealer in SA!!
Fantastic news . any idea on thomas the tank?
@GreatSharksays (Comment 5) : yeah, the backline needs a rethink – the midfield needs attention. Esterhuizen and Sithole could indeed work, however their distribution needs a lot of work, the gameplan was to spread the ball to the wings, but that in itself didn’t work. But Sithole and Esterhuizen could work.
@Richard (Comment 10) :Man I would like to see that combo in action.Esterhuizen and Sithole just sounds right.But they will need time to settle in though!!
Wow! Excellent, excellent news!!
@GreatSharksays (Comment 5) : I would love to see the Esterhuizen/Sithole combo! Having said that, Williams also did much that was good on Saturday…
That’s good news! !!!
@robdylan (Comment 3) : Tnx for the news… Made a horrible Monday much better.
How long is a couple of weeks?
Get well SOON Beast!!!!
We need our forwards if we want the backline to fire. When we had a semi solid scrum on Saturday, we scored a brilliant try….
@pastorshark (Comment 13) : I’d imagine a Williams/Sithole combo, and an Esterhuizen (or Steyn)/Murray combo would be well balanced.
The hammer and the knife, as apposed to having two knives or two hammers – if that makes any sense.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 16) : Yeah, that makes sense…I wonder what they’ll do interms of selection this weekend…
@FireTheLooser (Comment 16) : I agree with you 100%. I’ve always preferred a more balanced centre combo, like Nonu and Smith.
It’s only game 1, we’ve still got lots of time to get everything right.
A quick question, is Deysel back permanently or just for the SR? He is a must to start, but who do you leave out of the loose trio? My head hurts just thinking about it 😡
@KingRiaan (Comment 19) : That might depend on WC selection….he might be making a push for Bok selection, which should see him stay until 2016.
@Richard (Comment 10) : I really think thats unfair on our midfield combo of Williams and Murray- they did very little wrong with the sparse ball they got. Williams broke the line on 2 occasions and Murray only got the ball when it needed to be shifted wide quick which he did-he ran straight too. I would prefer Esterhuizen on the bench to Odwa however.
Great news on both fronts.
On the centre combo discussion – I would not like to change up things too much, so would like to see a Williams/Sithole combination and see how they do together. Bringing Odwa in on the wing.
Can we please let go of this Matt Stevens experiment at tighthead. Move the chap to loosehead cause he is dying at tighthead.
@pastorshark (Comment 17) : I think they will keep faith in the same team bar injuries.
@SheldonK (Comment 21) : I’m not calling for the axe, just looking for that extra dynamism. Andre Esterhuizen is a bit of a fan favorite, so most would like to see him get a shot. It’s not about the performance of Murray and Williams, it’s about the impact and x-factor Sbu and Esterhuizen could bring to the game. Incredibly physical, direct, strong and fast. That’s a combination Id like to see get a chance.
@GreatSharksays (Comment 23) : he could move to the ice-cream vending machine. Sorry Rob, just kidding… Our Tighthead position is a big worry, it’s the same discussion every season. Jannie is boss, but who are his able deputies. Lourens was supposed to be the answer, but he too is struggling for form. With Chadwick and Tank, and Beast we are well stocked at LH.
Great news!
@Richard (Comment 25) : The problem with Esterhuizen/Sithole is that u dont get much intelligence in that combo to be fair to them. So defensive organisation etc could be an issue. They also both die with the ball in contact and seldom offload. So either Esterhuizen/Murray or Williams/Sithole combos better suited. Sithole sulked on the wing last week- needs to get involved wherever he plays. I was impressed with Williams and would like him to stay. And for me Esterhuizen offers more than Odwa on the bench
@SheldonK (Comment 28) : I hear you, I agree that they need to up their distribution game. Sithole should be considered at 13 and focus on specializing there. I rate Heimar highly, but he doesn’t have the physicality of a international 12. If Esterhuizen ups his hands and distribution, he could well be devastating. Defense is not a problem for either of them. What we need to consider is that Frans Steyn is the Number 12 incumbent and JPP the wing. Changes the backline up quite a bit. Against the Lions Id like to see Esterhuizen and Sithole and Heimar on the bench. Wilson can get a shot at 14.
Apparently Kanko is back in Durban!
@David12246 (Comment 30) : #truestorybro
@GreatSharksays (Comment 23) : Will he be any better at loosehead? Well, I’m sure we’ll get a chance to see this weekend…
@Richard (Comment 25) : I have now watched the game and Williams/Murray did much that was good and not much wrong. Our problems didn’t lie there. But I agree with you, I would like to see what the Esterhuizen/Sithole combo can do…
@SheldonK (Comment 28) : Again…fair point…
@Richard (Comment 29) : Id prefer to see Steyn at 15 and joining the line much like Willie LeRoux does. I prefer a play maker distributor at 12 than a guy going to bash it up like our forwards do hence id play Esterhuizen and Sithole at 13.
@pastorshark (Comment 33) : yes Pastor, I’m not blaming them at all, the problems will always start up front, and at the collisions and set-piece, not calling for the axe on them, just a change to see if we can do some damage in the midfield. But if we don’t gain dominance in the set-piece and upfront you may as well play Deysel and Kanko there…
@SheldonK (Comment 35) : I like that idea, but I’d have Steyn and Sithole as my first team midfield, I don’t disagree with you, not at all, but Steyn is a pure 12 and Sithole could be a pure 13. Express pace and strong defense makes a 13 with a good pass. Steyn has the boot, the vision, the pass and the time (and so much more I.e. Physicality etc for 12) Esterhuizen would be my bench replacement as a first team selection. I like Steyn as 15, but I like him more at 12 especially next to Pat. Constant communication and shared decision making close to the action.
@Richard (Comment 37) : U do make good points. Only reason i say Steyn at 15 is cos we dont have a quality 15. I also think he can do a very similar job to what LeRoux does. I also think Lambie/Steyn at 10/12 can work but they do often get in each others way as they both want to be primary play maker
@SheldonK (Comment 38) : hmmm. Lambie / Williams / Sbura / JPP / Steyn. You may be onto something. If he does roam the field with intent and license to play that could work. I often say it’s just a number on your back and it’s all about gameplan. Let me say this, I agree with you.
I’m not aware that Steyn is up for selection on Saturday? Esterhuizen Murray for centers Sithole and Mvovo on wing Cronje at fullback. Or if we are feeling adventurous Wilson on other wing and Mvovo/Cronje at FB. Agree 100% that Deysel should start but with who? Personally I think he and Coetzee should start at flank with Bothma at nr 8. Tera Mtembu on the bench for either 8 or 7 replacement. When will alberts and kankowski be back in the mix?
@Richard (Comment 26) : Tank started out at TH didn’t he? Both he and Chadwick should get some training in Th. Chadwick said he would love to sharpen his TH skills.
@Richard (Comment 39) : Im a big fan of, its not about the number on ur back but how u fit in. Lets be honest Steyn roams anyway and he can 1. kick the ball back with VAT and 2. Which winger will want to jump for a high ball against him?
@SheldonK (Comment 38) : Although I do like Steyn as a player, my feeling is that he is too ponderous as a player to be a top quality 15. He should only play 12 imo and 10 if the conditions call for a direct route.
@coolfusion (Comment 40) : Steyn is not back in Durban yet, so he is definitely not up for selection. Nor is JP.
Kanky might be, but why would we?
Fantastic news on both accounts!
@robdylan (Comment 44) : Sorry for the stupid question Rob. I miss a lot of Rugby related stuff lately. Where is Bressler playing his rugby now?
@Ben (Comment 46) : he’s playing for Edinburgh, dude.
@robdylan (Comment 47) : Thanks Robbo.
@coolfusion (Comment 41) : this debate is happening on the new thread 😉 come chip in. 😉
@SheldonK (Comment 42) : let’s see which way the coaches lean when they become available some talent available and so few positions. That’s why I want completion for places and the coaches to be ruthless. Continuity can come after reward for performance.