Gary Gold has largely kept faith in his starting fifteen for Saturday’s must-win Currie Cup clash against the Kings in PE.
Former Bulls age-group prop Gerhard Engelbrecht has been promoted to the starting lineup, in a direct swap with Thomas du Toit. With the Baby Bok struggling to adapt to his new role at tighthead, the big former Affie will make his first start in the number 3 jersey at Currie Cup level. The remainder of the pack has been retained for this clash after an encouraging performance against thee Lions that saw a marked improvement in intensity for much of the contest.
Gold has likewise opted for backline continuity, with Michael Claassens again prefered to Stefan Ungerer at scrumhalf and Andre Esterhuizen and Paul Jordaan operating in midfield.
Further changes on the bench see Kyle Cooper and JC Astle come in for their first appearances of the season, replacing Franco Marais and Dave McDuling respectively. SP Marais is also out, having suffered a serious ankle injury at training. His place on the bench goes to uncapped Garth April.
Sharks: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Paul Jordaan , 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Sibusiso Sithole, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Daniel du Preez, 6 Francois Kleinhans, 5 Marco Wentzel (captain), 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Gerhard Engelbrecht, 2 Monde Hadebe, 1 Dale Chadwick.
Replacements: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 JC Astle, 19 Jean-Luc du Preez, 20 Stefan Ungerer, 21 Wandile Mjekevu, 22 Garth April.
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I feel for this game, nothing less than a complete trashing will do. 5 Pointer is a must! Come on guys! Time to win back our confidence!
@Another Nick (Comment 1) : If however that happens do you feel the Sharks are then in a good place? From a winning and currie cup perspective yes, most definitely. But from a general and move forward perspective, I am not too sure. The Sharks need a complete failure in this CC to take them forward in the future.
Starting 15 starting to look like something. Thought SP looked good off the bench last week so would Luke to have seen him get a run against his old team.
Auto-correct seems to know something I don’t..
@Uli Boelie (Comment 2) : Difficult to say.. of course winning will be lekker like it always is, but in a way you are right. Hate to admit it though.. Guess I’m just looking for something, ANYTHING that would prove to me that we are not totally in shambles.
@The Quirk (Comment 4) : im sure Luke will 😆
Good run on xv, and enough firepower on the bench to pull it through, Sharks by 6
@The Quirk (Comment 4) : don’t blame auto-correct you did it on purpose!!!! 😈
@pierre_mackie (Comment 7) : hope so but the bench did not shine last week!!!!
Im not too fussed about the names on the teamsheet as it seems some guys are being stuck with in the hope they magically get some form. Im much more interested to see what the team will do differently this week as if we continue as we have im afraid we will be lucky to get 1 point from the game.
Hi there all… I have been a long time follower of this site was active for some time but was gone for some time now. I am a big fan of this site and like to read your articles. Your comments can make laught,cry,wonder and just wanna hit a wall some times… My personal opinion as an outsider is you guys are on the rise once again… I will not dare to think the Sharks is an easy game this season… You all make such good points in the comments an I have a lot of respect for the knowledge on this site but I think Sharks will still surprise you this season. Finals will be Lions vs Sharks. I thought this article is a good one and I think the spirit is right in the shark tank. http://www.rugby15.co.za/2015/08/sharks-seek-back-to-back-victories/
Personally I would like to see Thomas Du Toit back at loosehead.
Our bench doesn’t have any fear factor anymore. Not like the days where the opposition feared when Alberts would be subbed for Deysel or a Butch would be replaced by a Brent Russel. The only names on the bench that would make me lift my eyebrow is Tom, Du Preez and this April fellow.
@Lassy_lion (Comment 11) : Wow, what positive insight from the outside! Thanks Lassy.. and I do sincerely hope you are right. 😛
@Lassy_lion (Comment 11) : Pfffft, so you think the Bulls that are by far playing the best rugby at the moment won’t make the finals? Gee, you are very optimistic.
@Lassy_lion (Comment 11) : Lions fans encouraging Sharks fans. My, how the tables have turned
@grant10 (Comment 12) : Think the young man has his heart set on the number 3 jersey.
@vanmartin (Comment 16) : Who whould have thought… Still can’t believe how we have improved.
Well it looks like a decent run on side. Wandile should not make the squad and I would like to see esterhuizen discover his flair at wing before moving back to center other than that…meh. ..let’s see. Cant say Gary inspires optimism so …let’s hope the boys can sort themselves out since he won’t.
@vanmartin (Comment 17) : The question is, who wants him to play 3? Does he actually want to play there or are the Sharks forcing his hand because we are short on depth?
@Lassy_lion (Comment 18) : And I still can’t believe how the Sharks have gone to shit. 🙁
@Ben (Comment 20) : Good question
@vanmartin (Comment 16) : @grant10 (Comment 12) : Boet I think we are being a little harsh in thinking Du Toit is struggling at TH, to be very honest the Ref blowing the Sharks games to date were shocking and scrum calls were not good, this is both ways, the other side of it put yourself in the shoes of the Props, have a couple of weaker Locks and loose forwards and see if you will be just as effective?
Take for example Du Toit scrumming with Eben behind and then an Alberts at 7
Now Put Wentzel behind Du Toit and then young Du Preez at 7 and see if there is a difference, I for one can tell you it is huge, Scrums do not depend on one person either. If you take the game against the Lions it was in any case it was Chadwick that got penalised a lot.
Looking forward to this one, Kings heading in the right direction under Brent, I get the feeling we might pull one out of the bag this weekend, but that’s just me 🙂
@sharks_lover (Comment 23) :
Beast was scrummed into the turf in his first season at prop. Look how that turned out.
I think we need to hold off judgement for at least this CC season – give the lad a fair chance.
@Big Fish (Comment 25) : Agree 100%,
@Ben (Comment 20) : The idea originated during his time at the Baby Boks and he (based on his twitter at least) seemed very enthusiastic about the switch.
@sharks_lover (Comment 23) : Absolutely. Fair point. I just think we should be careful about assuming that the Sharks forced him into the number 3 jersey.
@vanmartin (Comment 27) : Actually Dawie Theron suggested it for the Junior4 Boks, It had also been discussed with him at the Sharks but never tried until he had completed his stint at the JBoks.
As for the Team? I feel we should have had Heimer on the bench and not Mjekevu, I wont mentio as to why I think Mjekevu is there and not Heimer
Du Toit on the bench maybe also not a bad thing for this game,
@KingRiaan (Comment 13) : Agreed…cant see this bench turning the tide should we be behind
@sharks_lover (Comment 29) : perhaps the time has come for a few rules changed so we can all speak on the matter 😉
@vanmartin (Comment 27) : If he wants to make the switch then I’m happy with it.
@Poisy (Comment 31) : No Poisy, the Rules are the right way
@Ben (Comment 32) : But would he still have wanted to make the switch if Jannie was staying at the Sharks?
@Lassy_lion (Comment 11) : thanx and really hope you’re right.
@sharks_lover (Comment 33) : I am not so sure anymore. total silence can’t be the way to go we are not news24 our people can intelligently get they points across
@vanmartin (Comment 16) : hahaha ja for sure, but they do deserve the chance to encourage other supporters!!!!!!!!!
@Poisy (Comment 36) : It unfortunately takes only one racist to spoil the whole party. I think there’s a reason that the news24 commentators have not made their way over here and my suspicion is, it’s precisely because of the SW rules.
@vanmartin (Comment 38) : News24 comments are so biased and unintelligent. I get frustrated reading them, knowing that there are people like that in the world ruins my day.
They purposefully go out of their way to be hurtful.
@vanmartin (Comment 38) : point taken. but I still think not talking about it is not helping either. It’s a conversation society as a whole needs to have and respect each others views even if we don’t agree with them.
@Ben (Comment 20) : @Uli Boelie (Comment 22) : according to my knowledge it was Thomas that wanted to move to 3 not the Sharks, he even played 3 for the junior Bokke.
@Poisy (Comment 40) : boet in a perfect world people can talk about stuff without being personal and insulting. Unfortunately this is not a perfect world and that’s why the rules were made!!
@Poisy (Comment 40) : Talking is good, I absolutely agree on that. The internet just doesn’t seem to be an ideal place to have these conversations in general. Would be awesome to have a beer and chat to some of the Sharksworlders in person though. Is a virtual reality braai a thing yet?
@Poisy (Comment 36) : Even though I agree as adults one should be able discuss and so on but the Site made those rules because some people did not know the adult part of that discussion lol
@JD (Comment 42) : @vanmartin (Comment 43) : @sharks_lover (Comment 44) : seems everyone dead set on rules not changing . I have to say I am disappointed but I accept the outcome and respect your views on the matter
@Poisy (Comment 45) : No problem boet, one if we meet in person which would be great I wold gladly discuss and share views
But I will stick to OOM Robs rules lol
OK catch up laters, cheers peeps
Should Reinach/Marcel Coetzee not make the Bok cut it would boost the Sharks in CC for sure.
@Poisy (Comment 45) :
There is a reason for the rules. SW was born out of a lot of hard experience.
Glad to see kyle back
@Letgo (Comment 50) : Ditto
@Letgo (Comment 50) : Yes!
Wow. How times have changed.
1. A Lions fan consoling and trying to raise the spirits of Sharks fans?
2. Being genuinely concerned that we might lose to the Kings?
Not a good time to have your heart invested in the once mighty Sharks.
@Orlok Tsubodai (Comment 53) : you said it my friend!!!!! Tough times being a Sharks supporter!!!
I watched the Lions match again, very carefully looking at the scrums, and Thomas has some serious technical deficiencies at TH, but he has had so little time there. I just hope they have a top notch TH working with him on his technique. I also think it is harder on a taller TH so he has that to contend with as well.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 55) : But he is supremely talented, so I also believe he will develop into one of the best.
For all the Garry Gold bashers out there just remember coaching this currie cup was just as much as a surprise for him as for us , do I think he is the best coach no, do I think he could be a great director of rugby and build the Sharks to the team that we want it to be Definatly, Is his critism unfair I would say somewhat
Wie se bright idea was sit om vir Thomas vaskop toe the skuif ek weet nie hoekom hulle nie die stute in hul posisies hou nie, as Daar ? tekort is an vaskoppe Dan skuif jy sekerlik nie jou beste loskop nie
@BR (Comment 57) : As a supporter I realize that I have pretty much zero influence on decision making within the Union. I can only support and hope that Gary Gold develops into a great DOR. But I have to ask you, what in his past experience as DOR leads you to believe he could be great?
@Dancing Bear (Comment 59) : My take on it is that there is at least an outside chance of Gary being a passable DoR. I base it on the fact that there are some folk out there who are of the opinion that he did make a positive contribution and implemented some quality systems at Bath. Additionally, the columns he used to write during his tenure with the Boks demonstrated a fair degree of technical insight.
On the flip side, there is a rather large body of evidence to suggest that at his absolute best, he is nothing more than a barely competent coach (in my opinion).
Personally, I wish the Sharks had rather gone the Bulls route; backing a coach from within the union who has worked his way up (e.g. Sean Everitt), and let Gary get on with being DoR. That way we’d at least by now have been able to glean some insight as to whether Gary is up to scratch with regards to the actual post he has been appointed in, and we might even have had a nice surprise a la Nollis whatsisface up north.
Instead, we still don’t know if Gary Gold is going to turn into Barry Brass as DoR, as he has apparently done as coach.
@BR (Comment 58) : volgende my kennis was dit Thomas se eie “bright idea” om vaskop toe te skuif. Of dit gaan werk weet ek nie, maar hy gaan beslis nie reg wees om Super rugby 2016 daar te speel nie. Dink hy sien die tekort aan goeie vaskoppe in SA as n geleentheid om Bokke no3 trui syne te maak.
@Big Fish (Comment 25) : Agreed…
@Big Fish (Comment 25) : not anything against the move or the lad, I actually hope it works as it will be good for him As well as the Sharks! However it will take time to adjust to the new position so for now, the Sharks should get another tight head as cover for Super rugby 2016 as he will not be ready to play there next year.