New Sharks under 21 coach Michael Horak has named his side for the competition opener against Western Province at City Park tomorrow afternoon. Hooker Chris de Beer, who captained the Sharks under 19 side two years ago, leads a team that appears – on paper at least – to have a chance of upstaging their more-fancied rivals.
Barend Potgieter, a former flank whose conversion to loosehead prop last year proved stunningly successful, continues in that position, with former Grey Kollege lad Ruan Kramer at number 3. Junior Springbok Hyron Andrews finds himself in the somewhat unusual number 4 jersey, with Jean Droste, another young lock fed up with the Bulls age-group system joining him in the second row.
Open side flank Graham Geldenhuys will know the opposition well, having played for Western Province at under 19 level last year (and also for Rondebosch Boys High), while there is a big surprise lurking at blindside flank in the form of Johan du Toit. Pieter-Steph’s younger brother has opted to remain a Shark and while he operated successfully as a 4-lock during the Varsity Shield, some feel it’s on the side of the scrum that he might prove a class act. Kearsney’s Ayron Schramm, who shared the under 19 captaincy with Kramer last year, starts at number 8.
Rowan Gouws – another player to make great strides for UKZN this year – is at scrumhalf, with Zimbabwean international Riaan O’Neill at pivot (while Inny-Christian Radebe is still injured). Much is expected of the home-grown centre combination; Kearsney’s Sandile Kubeka and Glenwood’s Legend Marwana have played together in Natal colours since 2011, when both were selected for the Craven Week squad in their Grade 11 year. Kubeka’s pedigree actually goes back even further; along with de Beer, he represented KZN at the u16 Grant Khomo Week back in 2010.
Nkululeko Mcuma and try machine Marcel-with-one-l Coetzee are the wings, with Kelvin Elder at fullback. Interestingly, every one of the backs outside of the flyhalf attnded school in KZN, making this our most “local” under 21 backline in some years.
A nasty surprise (if you’re a Province fan) is the inclusion of Super Rugby players Thomas du Toit and Daniel du Preez on the bench. Both are expected to feature in the upcoming Currie Cup season, but will use this opportunity to enjoy some game time with their age-group compatriots. Horak has opted to include two props on the bench (the other being junior Bok Mzamo Majola) – a sure indication that he plans to give du Toit a decent run at tighthead in the second half. Andy du Plessis covers hooker, while Retief Marais (younger brother of Peet and Jandre) joins du Preez as utility forward cover. With three players in the mix able to cover both lock and flank, it will be interesting to see exactly what combination the coaches settle on later in the game.
Only two backs are on the bench, in scrumhalf Lotter Pretorius and outside back Sipho Mkhize. Both return from last year’s under 21 squad.
Sharks under 21:
15 Kelvin Elder, 14 Nkululeko Mcuma, 13 Nkululeko Marwana, 12 Sandile Kubeka, 11 Marcel Coetzee, 10 Riaan O’Neill, 9 Rowan Gouws, 8 Ayron Schramm, 7 Johan du Toit, 6 Graham Geldenhuys, 5 Jean Droste, 4 Hyron Andrews, 3 Ruan Kramer, 2 Chris de Beer, 1 Barend Potgieter.
Replacements: 16 Andrew du Plessis, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Daniel du Preez, 20 Retief Marais, 21 Lotter Pretorius, 22 Sipho Mkhize
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Good luck to the guys, hopefully they can do well this season. Congrats to Chris as well. Not bad having two Super Rugby capped players on the bench. 😎
“a former flank whose conversion to loosehead prop proved stunningly successful” Well that’s something you don’t hear very often. 😆
Nice to see a good share of local talent represented and good luck to the boys.
Sharks are due some better results at age group level and lets hope we can start getting some momentum from this season.
@Seth101 (Comment 1) : *cough cough* Beast *cough* 🙂
Glad to hear we are retaining some of the younger brothers, they are usually the better siblings! How tall is Johan du Toit? Haven’t seen him play really, any opinions on whether flank or lock will suit him best? Think it is good for him to play in a different position than PSdT, so that he can get out of his brother’s shadow
@robdylan (Comment 3) : Wow seriously? I honestly did not know that… Did he also move from flank?
I was also thinking of Burden from wing to hooker, but hooker is slightly more forgiving then prop.
@HeinF (Comment 4) : Or play in the same position like Odwa and Akona and then like them they can swap in and out of the bok team when the other is injured.
@robdylan heard the guy who went over to NZ is returning but not to Sharks for u21s but to another union’s senior fold , any truth behind this?
@HeinF (Comment 4) : As long as he stays away from the “sieke boeg”, he’ll be in no danger of coming close to his big brother’s shadow 😈
@Seth101 (Comment 5) : From 8th man, but close enough. 😀
@FireTheLooser (Comment 8) : Let’s hope! Then when province try to poach him in a few years, the loyal brother can tell then what to do with their offer!
@Rugbymadness (Comment 7) : I hadn’t heard that. Which team? Kings?
I wouldnt assume that the younger du Toit is particularly loyal just yet. Sharks must treat this one with caution…
@robdylan unsure which side just heard he won’t be returning to Sharks
@Rugbymadness (Comment 13) : Which prop is that?
@robdylan any chance you could find out which side he will be joining? Been following his career and would like to know where he goes next
@Rugbymadness (Comment 15) : You talking about Bart le Roux? I will find out.
@robdylan yes Bart le Roux where is he headed?
No Jean-Luc DuPreez? Are there any u21 guys injured currently besides Radebe? Or any in senior side not playing?
@SheldonK (Comment 18) : Jean-Luc has an injury.
Again.
@Rugbymadness (Comment 17) : Cheetahs, I believe.
@robdylan (Comment 19) : Ah i see…he on same career path as PSDT? 😉
@SheldonK (Comment 21) : bit of a stretch…. let’s hope not
@robdylan (Comment 22) : haha agreed
@robdylan that’s very interesting,will he join u21s or what? And why is he not returning to Sharks u21s?
this games being played at city park athlone ? Oh why do I have too be busy today
@revolverocelot (Comment 25) : I can only answer the first question. Yes, played at City Park.
haha! Sharks under 21s honest-to-goodness just beat the highly fancied WP under 21 side in Cape Town 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 27) : Wow! 😎
@robdylan (Comment 27) : What was the score?
@robdylan (Comment 27) : Oh my hat! How good is that!! Well done boys…and well done Michael Horak!!!
@Ben (Comment 29) : we won 17-13.
Try by O’Neill, 4 penalties to Gouws
@robdylan (Comment 31) : Thanks. 😎
Well done lads.
13-17, I see on the SARU website! Wow!!!
@pastorshark (Comment 34) : Too late, I see…
My word, I’m a impressed!!!
@robdylan (Comment 3) : wasnt beast a no8 ?
@byron (Comment 37) : He was a loosie…flank I think?
I am lead to believe that he was playing lock at u21 level when the decision was made to convert him to loosehead prop …
Well done lads!!! Great start!!!
@byron (Comment 39) : Beast a lock? I highly doubt that.
@Ben (Comment 41) : I’m pretty sure he was a flank…
@pastorshark (Comment 42) : Or a number 8…definitely a loosie…I’ll have a quick look what google says…
@pastorshark (Comment 43) : “His fellow Springboks adore him. As does the Natal Sharks organisation, which rapidly shaped him from a No 8 into their prized propping possession…”
@pastorshark (Comment 43) : And the write-up on ultimate rugby: “The Zimbabwean-born Mtawarira joined up with the Sharks after school where he was converted from a loose forward into a loosehead prop and has gone on to enjoy a successful career in the front row for the Springboks.”