The Sharks have named a rather interesting squad for the World Club 10s tournament in Mauritius later this month, with a smattering of seniors players rubbing shoulders with up-and-coming youngsters. Ryan Strudwick as coach and Jean Deysel as captain will be the flag bearers.
Dale Chadwick, Kyle Cooper and Joe Pietersen are the other senior contracted players in the 16-man squad, with the remaining 12 drawn from the Sharks XV ranks of junior contracted players and Varsity Shield stars.
Jean Droste, Graham Geldenhuys, Ayron Schramm and Kerron van Vuuren are the other forwards in the group (do you even have forwards in 10s?) and all played age-group rugby for the Sharks last year. This sort of competition is always going to be about pacy, exciting backs and it’s good to see two of the main try-scorers from UKZN’s team this year, Thobekani “Tokolosh” Buthelezi and Grant Rattray in the mix. Malcom Cele, Tristan Blewett and Neil Maritz add further strike running options, while the likes of Jaywinn Juries, Morne Joubert and Sandile Kubheka will assist Pietersen in making the plays.
Again, let me emphasise that I know nothing about 10s, so don’t shoot me if there are a whole bunch of different position names that I’m neglecting to mention!
Sharks XV attack coach AB Zondagh will be Strudwick’s assistant, with Jacques Botes (team manager) and Callie Hugo (physiotherapist) completing the management contingent.
Best of luck to the team!
Sharks Invitational:
Tristan Blewett, Thobekhani Buthelezi, Malcolm Cele, Dale Chadwick, Kyle Cooper, Jean Deysel (captain), Jean Droste, Graham Geldenhuys, Morne Joubert, Jaywinn Juries, Sandile Kubheka, Neil Maritz, Joe Pietersen, Ayron Schramm, Kerron van Vuuren, Grant Rattray
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10s is basically 5 forwards and 5 backs. Pretty much like 7s just with more people on the field. Quite an interesting team…not sure how strong the other teams are so not sure how they will fare. Im sure it will be a good experience fro the guys
Will any of this be televised?
Not 100% sure about backs but I do know the forwards is 2 props a hooker and 2 locks. Backs is almost similar to 7’s with a scrumy, flyhalf, centre, wing and a “blindside wing”/sweeper.
I have a soft spot for 10’s and believe that it can really up an individual’s skills. Great experience for the boys. Fitness will win the day.
@Sharkfinn (Comment 4) : Yeh 10s is good fun…nowhere to hide though
Haha I guess the sharks management plays Rugby Challenge 3, as Deysel is the captain of the Sharks in that game.
@KingRiaan (Comment 6) : haha thats funny
This is totally off topic, bit I’m busy (finally) watching the Sharks/EP Currie Cup game. Based on what I’m seeing, Mjekevu appears to be a better prospect than Sithole. I’m disappointed.
@Culling Song (Comment 8) : Yeh Mjekevu was good that game. Very high work rate and looked hungry. Sithole looked asleep and didnt know where he was. Think once Mjekevu actually runs past Sithole to clean a ruck Sithole was just watching.
@SheldonK (Comment 9) : Nice bit of skill from Sithole to set up Majola’s try. And that was almost the last thing I saw him do, and I’m 3/4 of the way through the game.
@Culling Song (Comment 10) : Um for me im not too excited bout him making that pass to set up Majola’s try as i would expect that from any player from high school upwards when its a 3v2. He just made a draw and pass look difficult, but credit to him he pulled it off. But yeh im not sure what was up with him as he could barely make a tackle and i dont think i saw him sprint once, well dont think he caught much ball either. Maybe it was just a bad day…those happen
@SheldonK (Comment 11) : A more likely answer is that he is gatvol of playing in a shit CC competition with no meaning, in a stadium filled with 6 people. He has been playing a long time and I just think perhaps the atmosphere etc does nothing to get him going. He may be over the Sharks.
I know everyone will say that is not a great attitude to have, but it is like working in a company day in day out, becoming a director with a massive pay increase, only to be demoted back to a rep.
just think his enthusiasm may have been taken away from him.
@Vonno13 (Comment 12) : To be honest if thats his attitude then he must just go. There are many others that dream of getting the opportunities he has. He has had more chances than Mjekevu and last Sat Mjekevu’s attitude was a lot better. Perhaps the reason Sithole hasnt left is that other teams see this attitude and arent interested. he is only shooting himself in the foot if thats the case.
@SheldonK (Comment 13) : whoooooooooooa – I am not saying that is his attitude, that is just what I feel, the above is very harsh. I would feel like that, I do not think any of us on this blog have had the feeling of playing amongst world class players in a packed stadium – to then play in front of 6 people will certainly have an impact on attitude ( in the long run )
Mjekevu has been out of rugby for a while carrying injuries, so his enthusiasm is to be expected
@Vonno13 (Comment 14) : Perhpas my sentiments are harsh but to watch a well paid sharks player have that attitude is not acceptable. And if he performs like that does he really think he will get picked for better teams? On his performance last week the only reason he is selected again is on reputation. perhaps my comment on other teams seeing his attitude and not wanting that is the reason he is still at the Sharks. He is a good player…but im not sure his mind is totally right
@SheldonK (Comment 15) : sithole was given a the best attitude (or to that effect)jersey after a sr match by the coaching staff because of him displaying a good attitude.
Nice to see all of our a team players getting lots of experience and game time in various games while we are resting.
@50shadesofshark (Comment 16) : Good attitude and pep is good for cheerleaders but for players you have to shit or get off the pot.
Bok A team looking a bit shellshocked at the moment. Not seeing much spark from the forwards. ..
@coolfusion (Comment 19) : they are weak , Notche is a good player but he lacks grunt and physicality he looks like a wing playing flank. They don’t have a fetcher which doesn’t help things either .
@schrodingers cat (Comment 20) : I don’t want to be nagative but everyone trying to put April on par with Pat better pay attention. He is one for the future bit for now there is a light years with of difference in quality. Stop playing pat down.
Pat has intelligence and BMT , where April has a good step but pressure getting to him . But our pack has no physicality it’s just not good enough .
@schrodingers cat (Comment 22) : Yup its just too easy for them to stay on their feet and slicing through. Getting the offload with ease. Need to be more grunt. ..
Venter and mnisi are not combing well at center
It’s clunky and sloppy. Like a burger you dropped in the mud…not enjoyable at all…
The old standby. Bash and crash.
At least it worked. I suppose. …
Like an obese red headed bully trying to play the piccolo. …inelegant does not begin to describe this. …
@coolfusion (Comment 26) : Oosthuizen has been good so far since his come on
Ya. Some sloppy play by the Saxons let’s us through for a comedy try.
I use say I expected more. Tough yes but more from our guys. Is Ackerman not the revolutionary team maker? Is the Ackerman magic rather just a slight of hand party trick?
Please let it be over…
Well deserved Saxons.
Score?
@JarsonX (Comment 34) : 32 – 24 Saxons
@coolfusion (Comment 35) : Saxons win
Ugly like a fat girl crying with a watery cake between her uneven teeth and mascara raining down her pimply cheeks
@coolfusion (Comment 31) : Remember it took him years to get the Lions to where they are, he’s only had two weeks with these guys.
Though Garth didn’t set himself up for praise with that performance, a lot of it was down to bad service. Nic Groom doesn’t belong near a Springbok jersey. Our line looked so much better when van Zyl came on
@Die Kriek (Comment 38) : Wow nic groom or pieter van zyl. Awesome choices, not…I would have taken Ross Cronje before them.
@Die Kriek (Comment 38) : Apart from bad service he looked like he has stage fright. Made some very poor decisions and just could not get off the mark.
Any news on how the Sharks went…manage to catch their quater final win over Toulon – did we get past the semis?
No, lost 7-5 to Brumbies, courtesy of a try scored from a forward pass. Didnt see Deysel (captain) on the field, hope he isnt injured.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 41) : @Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 42) : Sharks finished third after they beat the Italian team 26-7. Don’t know what happened to Deysel did not see him in either semis of 3-4 playoff game. Interesting fact is Cooper played tight head in both games.