Gary Gold has made wholesale changes to his team to face Toulouse at Stade Ernest Walon on Thursday night, with Etienne Oosthuizen the only member of the Toulon starting XV to again be in the run-on team. Marcell Coetzee leads the side from open side flank, while Willie le Roux will debut at fullback.
Oosthuizen shifts from lock to flank htis week, with young Christiaan de Bruin completing the loose trio. Jean-Luc and Daniel du Preez, both so impressive at the Stade Mayol, will play off the bench. Hyron Andrews joins Dave McDuling in a new look second row, while Juan Schoeman, Franco Marais and Lourens Adriaanse are the big men in small numbers.
Michael Claassens starts at scrumhalf (and will assume the vice captaincy) with Garth April given a big opportunity to play alongside him. Johan Deysel and Heimar Williams form a new centre pair, while Wandi Mjekevu and S’bura Sithole are the wings.
The Sharks have released a list of names ineligible for this game, either due to injury or Springbok game time restrictions. They are Beast Mtawarira, Coenie Oosthuizen, Francois Kleinhans, Giant Mtyanda, Lwazi Mvovo, Patrick Lambie and Ruan Botha. All other available tour party members have been included on an extended bench.
Sharks:
15. Willie le Roux, 14. Wandile Mjekevu , 13. Heimar Williams, 12. Johan Deysel, 11. S’bura Sithole, 10. Garth April, 9. Michael Claassens (V Capt), 8. Christiaan de Bruin, 7. Etienne Oosthuizen, 6. Marcell Coetzee (Capt), 5. Hyron Andrews, 4. Dave McDuling, 3. Lourens Adriaanse, 2. Franco Marais, 1. Juan Schoeman
Replacements: 16. Kyle Cooper, 17. Gerhard Engelbrecht, 18. Daniel du Preez, 19. Jean-Luc du Preez, 20. Cobus Reinach, 21. Stefan Ungerer, 22. Andre Esterhuizen, 23. Paul Jordaan, 24. Odwa Ndungane, 25. Joe Pietersen
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No Sky?!?!?!?!?!?!
So barring injuries, the Sharks are actually able to field two 15 man teams….that should bode well for a long and grueling SR season.
very much a second-string side. I think we’ll learn a lot from this game, but winning it may be a stretch
@Southern_Shark (Comment 1) : Probably injured? 😀
They’ll most likely give him 5 minutes at the end.
@Southern_Shark (Comment 1) : I noticed that. Not sure what the deal is.
Only one prop on the bench?
Interesting selection. I must say after having a go at the Sharks for no letting April run at 10 they go and announce this…so kudos to them and hope he has a good run. Oosthuizen at 7…bit unsure of that. And not sure how much time Du Bruyn has spent at 8. But ya lets see what these ‘no names’ for the most part can produce. Interesting to see Claasens as VC…i have a feeling he could captain during this year
@vanmartin (Comment 4) : If I got a chance like that I’d strap up a broken leg if i had to. 😀
@Bokhoring (Comment 6) : Only noticed that now to be honest…hopefully a typo…or good luck chaps
@Southern_Shark (Comment 1) : @vanmartin (Comment 4) : @robdylan (Comment 5) : He’s a secret weapon you will just see him appear like Superman.
@Bokhoring (Comment 6) : @SheldonK (Comment 9) : think only three “fit” props left so two on the field and one on the bench. Don’t think the want to take to many chances in these games.
@JD (Comment 11) : I think Coenie could use some more gametime. He is not a contracted Bok is he?
@Southern_Shark (Comment 12) : Coenie was named under injured players not considered for the game.
@Southern_Shark (Comment 12) : he is
@SheldonK (Comment 9) : no, it’s not a typo.
Beast and Coenie both need to be rested and there are only 5 props on tour. So what to do?
@robdylan (Comment 15) : is it not a bit early in the season for players to be rested? Do you have any idea or info on when and how the contracted Bok players needs to be rested?
Will be interesting to see how our team of mostly dirt trackers get on. The same goes for our marquee signing, Willie. I’m not expecting a win here but love surprises.
On another note I’m so glad the Jaguars have bucked the trend of going for boring blue in either of their home or away kits. I’m not sure which is which, but one jersey is plain black (a little boring) and the other is orange. I’m hoping their home jersey is orange to add a little more colour to the comp.
@Gold_Must_Fall (Comment 17) : Best looking home and away jerseys this season by a country mile. I’m beyond jealous that a brand new team managed that.
@vanmartin (Comment 18) : I agree. They look classy.
@vanmartin (Comment 18) : @Gold_Must_Fall (Comment 19) : I’m not that impressed, the black is a bit bland and although the orange does not look to bad it looks like a ripoff Barcelona soccer jersey.
anyone seen that Pollard is out of entire Super Rugby? Lambie hopefully not too bad so that he can get the Bok spot sorted, otherwise Elton has a huge opportunity. Imagine Fred has a cracker and become a Bok at Cheetahs
@robdylan (Comment 3) : Yeah, I agree. It is a good thing that everyone gets a run, but I don’t expect a win here…
@Bokhoring (Comment 6) : And lock…so cover by Oosthuizen and one of the du Preez boys…
@SheldonK (Comment 9) : Well, they don’t have another prop there that is allowed to play…only Coenie and Beast and they are not allowed to play. If injuries strike they will go to uncontested scrums…
@pastorshark (Comment 24) : Which makes me think…if there are limits to the game time of the Springboks and Coenie and Beast have to sit out some games…that leaves us very, very thin at prop. Who else do we have to back these guys up?
@Gold_Must_Fall (Comment 17) : @vanmartin (Comment 18) : Any links to some pics of their jerseys…somehow I haven’t seen them…
@Kabouter (Comment 21) : Yeah, I saw that…all sorts of interesting possibilities open up for some lads…
@pastorshark (Comment 25) : I guess they couldn’t afford to take everyone on tour, but it would have been good to see Mzamo Majola get a run in this game.
Remember Thomas is still at home getting over injury, as is Dale Chadwick.
So, depth outside of Beast and Coenie….
Lourens, Thomas, Dale, Gerhard, Juan, Mzamo. It’s ok. A bit young, but some decent exp in that group too.
@robdylan (Comment 28) : It really would have been good to see Majola get a go on this tour. Pity about that. I wasn’t too sure whether Dale was still around. Any indication how long Thomas and Dale are expected to be out of action?
@pastorshark (Comment 29) : Thomas reckons he’ll be fit for the start, but I doubt that a little. He’s a big boy and it takes a while to get him up to match fitness, so a month out with a knee thing can easily turn into 6-8 weeks for him.
I have no clue re Dale.
@robdylan (Comment 30) : Thanks…
My gut reaction is that this tight five will struggle…but it is a big opportunity for these boys and it will be interesting to see (or hear) how they go…
@pastorshark (Comment 31) : and i think it was probably a budget thing (regarding Mzamo not touring)
It will also be interesting to see how this centre combination goes…
@SheldonK (Comment 7) : I also hope April has a good game at 10. His defence concerns me…and I know very little about his boot…but it will be fascinating to follow his fortunes there on Thursday…
@pastorshark (Comment 35) : if he couldn’t tackle (or wasn’t prepared to tackle) Omar would have killed him by now. The fact that he’s still alive bodes well 🙂
sharks are thin at tighthead prop:adriaanse,coenie and engelbrecht.hope thomas is not played there.
@robdylan (Comment 36) :
Fair point…I remember him being poor in that area last year! But with Omar he’s probably learnt something…and I see he’s bulked up quite a bit. Anyway, I really do look forward to seeing/hearing how he goes…if he is that undiscovered gem it will be a major bargain for us.
I hope these guys stand up to be counted…
@pastorshark (Comment 26) : http://www.rugby365.com/tournaments/super-rugby/71123-jaguares-go-all-out-for-sa-tour
There you are
@Gold_Must_Fall (Comment 40) : Thanks! Nice…
@robdylan (Comment 30) : hey when us big boys say we will be ready trust me we will be ready!!!
@pastorshark (Comment 31) : tight five will have to step up big time!!!
@robdylan (Comment 36) : @pastorshark (Comment 38) : with what I saw of Omar I think he could have made Naas into Butch!!!
Ooh excellent, I see Supersport is televising the game! Good stuff…now I can see all the stuff I’m interested in rather than hearing about it later…
@Southern_Shark (Comment 1) : Who is Sky?
Sorry but I saw the question on another site and couldn’t figure it out, but the, I’ don’t know all the Sharks nicknames
@Baylion (Comment 46) : he’s a radio commentator that JS invited to practice (and play) with the Sharks for the Toulouse game. There was a piece on it last week.
Omar as good a defence coach as you will find!!!
@Ludz (Comment 48) : Yup…we’ve noticed! The difference between last season and last week was marked!
@pastorshark (Comment 49) : Also the influence of Mr Du Preez is notable also as all our guys are now attacking the gaps and not trying to play bulldozer type rugby, which made me a very happy chappy
Probably should have started this second string last game with our stars playing off bench the last 25 minutes just to try decrease risk.
@pastorshark (Comment 24) : @robdylan (Comment 15) : Reason i thought it was a typo is that this team with only 1 prop on the bench doesnt conform to World Rugby rules for having enough replacement props. But guess because its a friendly the rules are different. The scrums and lineouts were areas of concern…not having enough fit players for those roles greatly reduces the benefit of this game. They should play 7s instead in the second half.
Im glad they are giving everyone a good run, nothing worse than being a passenger for all the games.
The Irish Independent reports that Marcell Coetzee signed a 3 year deal with Ulster
http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/ulster-rugby/springbok-coetzee-set-for-ulster-move-34439601.html
@Baylion (Comment 54) : If that’s true he should be fired as captain with immediate effect. We cannot build a new team every darn year!
Reports also that Lambie is out for 10 weeks.
@robdylan (Comment 3) : That all depends on the kind of side that Toulouse fields. They will most likely also field a second-string team.
@Baylion (Comment 54) : If its true we can’t really blame him or anybody else, have you seen the exchange rate lately 😯
They will keep going until SARU decides not to select overseas players, but that won’t happen. I am actually very disappointed that Marcell of all people would go, have to agree that he should be removed from his leadership role.
@Seth101 (Comment 58) :@Uli Boelie (Comment 55) : I do understand your thinking and whilst i would also like to see a ‘long term’ captain i think we need to realise 2 things…1. We need a senior player to captain. 2. Its tough to tie down top senior players for very long due to variety of reasons.
guys, let’s just calm down a bit here. There really is no justification for crucifying Marcell or anyone else based on a single unconfirmed story in a single newspaper.
Consider the following:
1) Marcell just last year signed a 2-year extension to his Sharks contract. That keeps him in Durban until the end of the 2017 Super Rugby season
2) Marcell also signed a 2-year contract with Honda Heat in Japan for the 2015 and 2016 Japanese seasons.
In order for him to join Ulster ahead of the 2016 European season, he would need to break or be released from both of those contracts. Perhaps not insurmountable, but certainly also no mere formality.
Remember that just a week ago papers were announcing that Ulster had signed Kankowski, only for those rumours to be rubbished a day or two later. So take this with a pinch of healthy scepticism and rather wait for me to try and find out the real story.
Far too many other sites are prepared to run with rumour and speculation as though it’s fact. I prefer to do things a little differently here.
@Uli Boelie (Comment 55) : I’m seeing 6-8 weeks…
@Uli Boelie (Comment 55) : For crying in a bucket. Rugby in South-Africa will start to degrade to a point where it just won’t be worth watching or supporting. Perhaps I’m just negative but we just cannot keep up or compete with other currencies, and players can’t be blamed for wanting to earn more. Where will SA Rugby be in 5 years time if this trend continues.
@Seth101 (Comment 61) : Which would mean hopefully only 4 games missed.
@robdylan (Comment 60) : I hope you right, what you saying does make sense.
If he is the best guy for the job, let him do it. Leaving or not. It’s not like he publicly went on and on about what the Sharks meant to him and how he needed to repay them for all they have done for him……..and then just f’ed off. 😈 😉
@Seth101 (Comment 61) : there’s been no official injury report so any durations you guys see int he press are pure speculation. Ignore them.
@robdylan (Comment 60) : Which Marcel coetzee is everyone talking about? The flanker?
@coolfusion (Comment 66) : Marcell with two l’s…. the flanker
@robdylan (Comment 66) : thanks.
@Southern_Shark (Comment 64) : 😈 😆
And wasnt Marcell going to be off to the Stormers at some stage last year as well.
We are beginning to see a scary phenomenon here. Our players would rather sign a European contract,playing in a more player benign ,league than the brutal super rugby league. in which player’s needs come last.
SANZAR have screwed the pooch completely with this absurd format,and if I were a local player this decision would be a no brainer,play all your games in a relatively confined environment in a single time zone ,in a common water conditions against reasonable opposition,
Or play your games on three continents in different of timezones and weather every week.
Super rugby games are almost up to full international standard and the season continues for weeks.
You will most probably find that come the International season the Flo Louw’s who stayed in Europe are in a much better condition than the Marcel Coetzee’s who took a battering week after week in the southern hemisphere.
@Henkb (Comment 50) : That’s right…let’s hope it just goes from strength to strength!
@coolfusion (Comment 51) : Pros and cons…but ja…in my opinion it remains a guessing game…
@robdylan (Comment 60) : Thank you, sir. That sounds sensible…
@Southern_Shark (Comment 64) :
Without going into politics too much I would probably also look at another country more favorably than the mis – governed mess with consistently bleaker outlook year on year.
According to Belfast telegraph he has one and half year left but will be joining ulster at the end of SR this year. So he probably got bought out.
@robdylan (Comment 60) : running with such headlines is good for circulation and website traffic and that’s all some people worry about, reporting the truth is not even a consideration for them!!!!!!!!!! That’s why I rely on Sharksworld before I start to worry about such rumours!!!!! Thanx Rob.
According to Belfast telegraph he has one and half year left but will be joining ulster at the end of SR this year. So he probably got bought out. Heineke Meyer messing him around in springbok selection probably did not help either. Thanks HM your legacy of incompetence continues to hurt SA.
@The hound (Comment 71) : Super Rugby will eat itself.
@JD (Comment 78) : look, I’m not saying it isn’t happening…. just that it’s premature to say that it definitely is happening.
@vanmartin (Comment 80) : Super Rugby has eaten itself.It is far too brutal a competition to sustain itself.
Very few players come out of two years super rugby unscathed,for what the honour of playing in stadiums with less than 20 thousand people.
@The hound (Comment 82) : The sad truth is that it has reached the stage that where I am grateful for those players still willing to represent the Sharks, at the same time I am suspicious of their ability to think for themselves…
@Culling Song (Comment 83) : I agree,20 years ago when rugby turned professional,players welcomed the money bonus but their heads were still in the amateur mode of playing for provincial glory.
Playing provincial was the next step up from playing first team rugby at school.The motivation was still blazers,colours ,jerseys and your Dad,your girlfriend and your gran sitting in the stands.
Todays 20 year olds were born into a professional era,lots of them have been playing for money since they first went to high school.Maybe not directly but bursaries,scholarships etc are really other names for money.Lots of them have had agents since their 15th birthday. Lots of these agents were appointed by the kids father.
Agents know how short the window is to make money out of these kids.Injured players make less money.Agents primary concern is making money its his business
Agents don’t eat blazers,caps,family in the stands.Do the math to see where this game is heading
@The hound (Comment 84) : The sad reality of professional sport…
@robdylan (Comment 81) : I know and will wait for confirmation from the Sharks before I will be calling for anyone to be stoned!!!!!!!
@Culling Song (Comment 83) : @The hound (Comment 84) : not all players can go play overseas as places there is also limited. Yes the money is great but not all players move for money before they’re 28-30. Remember they need to make a name for themselves before they can earn the big bucks.
@JD (Comment 87) : Look at that Stander kid who is about to captain Ireland,he left before he had even played Vodacom cup.
Junior World Cup has already become the new scouting ground.
@JD (Comment 87) : Don’t think the twins would battle to find a club in Europe and they are only 20,Thomas 20,Pollard 20,………
@The hound (Comment 84) : What you are saying has a lot of truth. The times has changed, money is everything now and the days of glory is gone. I sometimes wonder if some players even care whether they win or lose a competition as they still getting paid huge amounts of money. Ok perhaps that statement is a little unfair as the players put their bodies on the line week in and out.
@The hound (Comment 88) : actually Stander played 16 odd Super rugby games for the Bulls and yes players like that will get a contract but that leaves about 100 others that does not and will now get a chance to show what they can do.
@Farlington (Comment 90) : trust me most player will care as winning Super rugby will come with a bit of cash incentive!!!!!!!
@Farlington (Comment 90) : Cash or not. Human nature wants to win.
@The hound (Comment 82) : Since day 1 of this Frankenstein like competetion I said it would be the death knell for SA Rugby….the travel is exciting to players for exactly 1 year…then they hate it! And I know enough first hand knowledge of this…..players leave not only for money, but to avoid the travel and time away from home….no matter what they say publically. Sanzar has been the absolute poison for SA Rugby….it must be done away with and a more reasonable model found…..
Reading some “rumours” that Marcell is leaving for Ulster… Apparently nothing confirmed yet, but where there’s smoke there’s usually fire. 🙁 🙄
@grant10 (Comment 94) : problem is as long as there’s money to be made SANZAAAAAR will try to milk it without much concern for players and fans!!!!!!!
@grant10 (Comment 94) : Whilst i do fully agree, i also think they we are so far in it now that there is no escape nor is there another feasible model for SA Rugby. Only way out is for SANZAAR to either kick us out (unlikely) or for them to cease to exists as an organisation (also unlikely due to the current revenues). So whilst isnt not great…its all we have and have to make the best of it.
@SheldonK (Comment 97) : personally I think it’s time to look at possible Heineken Cup type competition against European teams. Other option is for SA and Argentina to joint up and stand together against NZ and OZ to get a more balanced competition for SA teams.
@JD (Comment 98) : Why don’t we just go back to the Super 12,best three teams in each country play each other once,this year home next year away,and when the league is finished top team wins,no finals no play offs.
We use Currie Cup,here to determine our best three teams.
@JD (Comment 98) : They is no incentive for the Heineken Cup to include SA teams. Travel around Europe is much more feasible than them having to come to the bottom of Africa. They already make good money doing what they doing so change unlikely. Arg are just happy to be included…and with ex NZ coaches helping them out i cant see them wanting to rock the boat anytime soon.
@The hound (Comment 99) : Good in theory…although how would you make up the other 3 sides? (Arg, Jap and ?) The problem is SANZAAR seems to want to be more inclusive than exclusive. So more teams, more games on tv, more money
@SheldonK (Comment 101) : I’d say Pacific Islands, but you are right. More games = more money = shit competition. They could have a premier competition running alongside this format with the rest of the teams to try and qualify for the main comp? 😐
@The hound (Comment 99) : no need convincing me I’m 100 % with you, just wish SA Rugby would wakeup to it but I would not hold my breath for that to happen!!!!!!!!!!
@SheldonK (Comment 101) : @Southern_Shark (Comment 102) : yes Argentinian, Japanese and Pacific Islands teams to make the 12.
@Southern_Shark (Comment 102) : There seems to be big political and other issues in coordinating a Pacific Islands team…read an article a little while ago but cannot remember all the facts. I am in big favour of a Super 12 with the 3 best qualifying teams fro SA,NZ and OZ plus 1 each from Arg, Jap and an African side. But as i said i cant see SANZAAR downgrading anytime soon
@SheldonK (Comment 105) : SANZAAR down grading?!?!?! NEVER as long as there’s money to be made they will milk it for every cent!!!!!!!!!!!
@JD (Comment 106) : Yup pretty much. As i said they seem to want to be more inclusive than exclusive. So can look forward to additional teams from the likes of Arg, Japs, possibly even an African side and if they can all get along a Pacific Islands team too. Growth isnt always bad as perhaps more teams will require a proper group phase much like the Heinken Cup
@SheldonK (Comment 107) : but where will it end?!?!? Super 658 ????????????
@JD (Comment 108) : 4 Pools of 5 gives you 20…so perhaps there? Top 2 can play quarter final followed by semis etc. But ya anyones guess hey
@SheldonK (Comment 109) : that’s waaaaayyyyyy to logical for SANZAAAAAAR!!!!!!!!!! 🙄 😈
@JD (Comment 110) : haha true. In other news Sharks confirm Marcell departure
@SheldonK (Comment 111) : thanx just saw the sad news!!!! Only good thing about it is at least there’s time to try to replace him!!!