It’s taken a week longer than expected, but Springbok lock Stephan Lewies is finally ready to make his return to the Super Rugby stage and will start for the Sharks in his favourite number 5 shirt, against los Jaguares at kings Park on Saturday night.
Lewies suffered a horror knee dislocation against the Reds in May last year and has not played since. Having worked hard on his rehabilitation for that – as well as a lingering shoulder problem – the 2.01m Eldoraigne old boy is finally ready to make his mark in Super Rugby once more and presumably keen to recapture the form that saw him earn a single Bok cap back in 2014. Lewies comes in to replace Hyron Andrews as Etinne Oosthuizen’s lock partner, with the latter moving to the bench in the only change to the forward pack that did duty against the Kings last week.
In the only other change to the starting fifteen, Gary Gold has opted to give Lwazi Mvovo a break, after the Bok winger suffered an ankle injury against the Kings. With the Sharks well-stocked in terms of wingers, there is no need to risk aggravating the injury this week and 66-time-capped Springbok JP Pietersen thus comes into the left wing position for his first start of the season.
With Andrews in the 19 jersey this week, Dave McDuling drops out of the match 23.
Sharks: 15. Willie le Roux, 14. Odwa Ndungane, 13. Paul Jordaan, 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 11. JP Pietersen, 10. Joe Pietersen, 9. Cobus Reinach, 8. Daniel du Preez, 7. Jean-Luc du Preez, 6. Marcell Coetzee, 5. Stephan Lewies, 4. Etienne Oosthuizen, 3. Coenie Oosthuizen, 2. Franco Marais, 1. Tendai Mtawarira (c)
Bench: 16. Kyle Cooper, 17. Juan Schoeman, 18. Lourens Adriaanse, 19. Hyron Andrews, 20. Philip van der Walt, 21. Michael Claassens, 22. Garth April, 23. S’bura Sithole
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Like the consistency, a little strengthening and even tactical resting. Well done.
I like that Sithole is covering wing and center, with April covering fullback and flyhalf.
With Lavanini out and Lewies in, hopefully we can make the lineouts ours this weekend.
Lekker Lewies! Wecome back boet. I reckon he will make a BIG impact on Saturday. Awesome stuff
Very Happy with the consistency – this will be a much sterner challenge – after this match we should have a more “accurate” scope of standings. Nevertheless I am confident that the boys are well prepared! 😉
@robdylan: any news re: thomas?
Great stuff – good to have Lewies back and good continuity for the rest of the team.
Looking forward to first outing at home this weekend and should be a cracker of a game.
I see Beast retains the captaincy arm band, will this mean he will then be vice captain when Mr Lambie returns?
@50shadesofshark (Comment 5) : I heard Thomas has been dropped to the CC Squad 😯
@DuToit04 (Comment 7) : I think that is the intention yes. Marcel lost his spot, for a decent fee though.
@50shadesofshark (Comment 5) : I believe Thomas is some way away from match fitness
@Vonno13 (Comment 8) : I also heard he is training with them, not sure I would necessarily style it as being “dropped” though.
@robdylan (Comment 11) : Ja for sure, i heard they want him to play a few games during the qualifiers first. It is going to be tough for him to make the S15 side though, with Coenie, Beast and Lourens, who do you leave out?
@robdylan (Comment 11) : Could you please explain to me when we actually start playing CC games? I more ore less understand the changes, just not exactly how it effects us. Do we play any CC games during SR?
Good looking team. Hoping for April to get a bit more game time at 10. Welcome back Lewies. If we can build on our second half of last week we will be in for a cracking game. Defense going to be key, especially on counter attack as that is where they are lethal.
Really can’t wait for this game, it is going to be a true test. A lot of people are talking about the tight 5 battle, but I tell you what, the Jads backs can joll. To come back from 24-3 with 13 men on the field up on the Highveld, is a very impressive result. A Sharks win will do wonders for their campaign this year.
@robdylan (Comment 11) : a front row of mzamo majola, kyle cooper and thomas would be a sight to see for these qualifiers. Who’s 3rd choice hooker since monde is out?
@Seth101 (Comment 13) : I think they start next weekend. It is the qualifying campaign, essentially what was the Vodacom Cup if you ask me.
@Poisy (Comment 16) : Chris De Beer
I like this team. As i suspected before the season started- injuries will take care of the rotation so no need to force anything. Im hoping to see an aggressive display at home from the guys- especially the forwards. Take no prisoners at home.
Great news now EO and SL can carry on where they left off ,and just intime before the Crusaders come calling
@robdylan (Comment 11) : Any idea who makes up thta CC squad. If you have the names please post on a slow day, that way I wont have to come up with conspiracy theories of who is enriching who in the SARU money market and sports drink club.
@robdylan (Comment 11) : I saw him at the shop last weekend…he still walks with a bit of a limp so perhaps they easing him back in.
#Claasens must start.
@Poisy (Comment 16) : Unconfirmed but Chris de Beer has trained with the senior side, so good indicator.
@Vonno13 (Comment 18) : haven’t seen him play I think. He any good?
@The hound (Comment 23) : Reinach was the third best (In the competition) for try assists on the weekend, can’t bench him after that.
Edit: Third best.
@Poisy (Comment 25) : I know it wasn’t directed at me, but having gone to school with him I can say very
@Seth101 (Comment 27) : lol so a tad biast there
@Poisy (Comment 25) : Brilliant, perhaps the best the Sharks have. He has been mowed down by injury since 2014. The way he went at SA U20 trials, he could well have been first choice hooker and even Captain. Since then, he just has had a poor run of injuries. He is a big strong guy, but having played loose forward most of his life, his work rate is second to none. A fantastic prospect who is flying under the radar
@Poisy (Comment 28) : Unbiased opinion though, he is very, SA schools U16, First Team captain, captain Sharks U19 & U21. Played at 8 and Prop, moved to hooker while in school, at the suggestion of Jake White.
@Seth101 (Comment 30) : sounds like a guy we gonna lose if we don’t give him some game time with senior side
@Vonno13 (Comment 29) : @Seth101 (Comment 30) : now I’m amped to see this guy play
@Poisy (Comment 31) : Doubt it, he had offers to play overseas while still in school, still chose the Sharks. He has been unlucky with injury, but touch wood looking fit and ready to go now.
Welcome back Stephan Lewies 😎
@Vonno13 (Comment 17) : nah, only kicks off in April.
@Vonno13 (Comment 29) : Is he the old Hiltonian chap that has been mentioned on here?
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 21) : it’s the bulk of last year’s under 21 squad. I will get confirmation of who’s actually there a little closer to competition kick off.
A lot of their players are currently with Impi, so it’s a bit messy at the moment.
@durbsguy (Comment 36) : that’s the one
@Seth101 (Comment 13) : Seth, for the “big six” unions, the Currie Cup qualifiers are meaningless. It’s nothing other than a re-badged Vodacom Cup competition that they can use to keep fringe guys fit and develop youngsters. Those six unions (Sharks, Blue Bulls, Western Province, Eastern Province, Golden Lions and Free State) are guaranteed places in the CC premier league by virtue of their status as Super Rugby franchise teams.
For the other 9 unions, it is hugely important, because the three “non entrenched” sides that perform best in the Currie Cup Qualifying phase will take part in the Premier Division of the Currie Cup later that year. The other 6 will play in the first division.
So while the Qualifying phase runs concurrently with Super Rugby (starting in April and running until early August) the second phase does not overlap with Super Rugby.
@robdylan (Comment 39) : Much appreciated. At least game time for the fringe players.
@robdylan (Comment 37) : :cool:, thanks.
@robdylan (Comment 39) : How on earth are “Eastern Province” going to be able to field a team?
@Vonno13 (Comment 12) : you rotate the props.every matchday squad must have 4 props.no3 coenie adriaanse 1 beast thomas
@Seth101 (Comment 42) : that’s a problem for Eastern Province to solve.
Reality is, it makes no difference if they forfeit every game in the qualifiers. They just have to get a team together in time for Currie Cup
@robdylan (Comment 44) : Conveniently designed format.
Ja let me just say Go Sharks Go – we believe you can and wil do it.
@50shadesofshark (Comment 43) : issue here is that Thomas wants to play 3.
@50shadesofshark (Comment 43) : Rotation can be a dangerous thing, players need game time to perform consistently. So Schoeman out for Du Toit, the problem is, from what I hear, the Sharks want him at tight head, which means that he would need to outperform Lourens, which I do not think he can do. From watching him play, there is no doubt he is a better loose head.
He is too young and raw to play tight head
@robdylan (Comment 47) : Exactly Rob
@Seth101 (Comment 42) : They will play their u19s and u21s…or club guys
@SheldonK (Comment 50) : Not sure club players will get a look in. it will be the u21s and then the likes of Tera, Khaya Majola, Mzamo Majalo, Chris De Beer, Heimar Williams – basically, the S15 fringe playes and u21s
@SheldonK (Comment 50) : The ones they aren’t already?
I hope Lewies’s luck with injuries turns and he can get an extended run this season. Seems that if you are a Shark and your surname starts with L you are bound to have bad luck with injuries.
@Vonno13 (Comment 51) : Those are all Sharks guys…i was talking bout EP..unless we sending our guys there
@Seth101 (Comment 52) : Yeh pretty much…so basically their u19s from last year that are still around supplemented with whoever still plays rugby in the Eastern Province…maybe some Grey High kids
@SheldonK (Comment 55) : all depends what happens next week. Hopefully EPRFU under administration or Cheeky ousted. Once this is resolved, the player situation can be addressed since current muppets are not doing anything for the players.
Maybe Madibaz will turn out if VC not sorted
@robdylan (Comment 47) : yes,know,just selected thomas in position imo he is the best at.the revised match 23 ,taking into account thomas’ preference for no3: no1 beast coenie 3 adriaanse thomas.
Happy with this team and keen that we are staying consistent but I hope we let Adriaanse start soon to see how he goes. It’s a pity Thomas wants to play 3 because I think he could have been one of the best Looseheads in SA.
Hopefully Sithole gets a decent run this week so he can try push for a starting spot.
@Vonno13 (Comment 48) : thomas is young,so has time to learn.
@Hulk (Comment 58) : os du randt was 1.90m and 130-135kg.
@Vonno13 (Comment 51) : I was told that they won’t be using too many Super Rugby fringe players in CCQ, but would rather look to develop the bulk of last year’s u21 side. Only guys rehabbing from injury would play there.
Anyone watch the latest sharkbite?saw sp marais at a function with the team.also jpp and uanivi at training.nice interviews with both keegan and willie.
@Kabouter (Comment 56) : Cheeky surviving on technicalities at the moment it seems…wonder how long it will last. A main sponsor is urgently needed…without a sponsor they heading for failure no matter who is in charge.
@Vonno13 (Comment 48) : not the Sharks alone seems as if Thomas also decided that he want to play at 3.
@Hulk (Comment 58) : must say for me it’s also strange that Thomas want to play 3. Currently (for me) he’s second only to Beast and with Coenie also at 3 it could leave the Bokke a bit thin at 1.
@50shadesofshark (Comment 60) : I don’t doubt his size but he has never looked as dominant at tighthead as he does at loosehead. It’s probably a technique and experience thing and I’m sure he can make the change but still feel he is best at loosehead.
@Hulk (Comment 66) : put os du randt’s height and weight down to show you can be that big and play loosehead prop.thomas is 1.87m 130kg.beast is 1.88m.oli kebble is 1.91m 124kg.
@JD (Comment 64) : that is important factor to remember in the whole discussion re: thomas loosehead or tighthead.
@50shadesofshark (Comment 68) : for sure and in the end it’s only his decision that matters and must say looking at the lad I’m sure he will make a successful switch.
Welcome back Stephan…good luck boys!