The timely return of Lwazi Mvovo, Jean-Luc du Preez and Lukhanyo Am means Robert du Preez has bee able to pick a very capable-looking line-up for Saturday’s vital Currie Cup clash against the Bulls at Kings Park.
Coach du Preez shuffled his team a little ahead of last week’s visit to Wellington, but has now been able to go back to a side that’s very close to his strongest. The loss of Tera Mtembu to a knee injury is offset by the return of Jean-Luc at blindside flank, while Franco Marais rotates into the starting lineup at hooker in the only other up-front change.
One man who unfortunately won’t be in the 22 is Stephan Lewies, thanks to a hamstring strain. Fortunately, there is a capable replacement in Ruan Botha, who enjoys a second successive start alongside Etienne Oosthuizen in the second row.
Mvovo has been picked to start in his regular left wing position and will look to put the disappointment of missing out on Bok selection behind him. With Odwa Ndungane on the other wing, Curwin Bosch will have experienced men around him and hopefully, the freedom to experiment a little from fullback. Am returns at outside centre as a direct replacement for Heimar Williams – the only other change to the backline that took the field against Boland.
The forward bench is unchanged (bar the swap at hooker), while amongst the backs, S’bura Sithole and Rhyno Smith will sit alongside Hanco Venter. Wandi Mjekevu and Garth April join Williams in missing out this week.
Sharks: 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Inny Radebe, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Keegan Daniel (captain), 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Dale Chadwick.
Subs: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 John-Hubert Meyer, 18 JC Astle, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Hanco Venter, 21 S’bura Sithole, 22 Rhyno Smith
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This team should be able to handle the Bulls. Glad AM is back, he makes a big difference on the defence.
Top team. Just a bit perplexed as to how Odders gets a start ahead of Sbu?? 😯 Why? How??
Pretty good lineup. Hope to see continued growth in the Esterhuizen/Am combo. Need to see better from Jean Deysel- tough on him not starting with JL DuPreez going straight in. Some interesting names missing out in Claasens, April, Mjekevu, Williams, Maritz
Must say the move to Kings during Super rugby has done Astle a world of good. The lad is really showing some intention to push for a starting spot.
@JD (Comment 4) : i agree. Same with Am. Even Christiaan De Bruin looking decent in a losing kings cause
Whats the status on April?
@SheldonK (Comment 3) : think Claasens is still injured.
April is paying a high price for his mistake as both Inny and Bosch is looking good and has not given the coach any reason to replace them.
Williams (and Mjekevu) is maybe paying the price for some poor form during first part of Currie cup.
Marnitz is just a bit unlucky as he did nothing wrong but is just replace by more experienced players.
Anyway that’s how I see it.
@Another Nick (Comment 2) : easy the “old man” is putting in some great performances.
@Uli Boelie (Comment 6) : what do you mean?
@Another Nick (Comment 2) : I was counting down in my head until somebody asked that 🙂
Guys, I think we need to put the “myth of S’bura” to bed now. Judge the guy based on what he actually does on the field, rather than what we want him to be. Reality is, even at 35, Odwa offers significantly more value and S’bura needs to pull up his socks in order to convince the coaches otherwise. And it’s telling, to me, that every coach seems to feel the same way.
@Uli Boelie (Comment 6) : think he’s paying a high price for his mistake (being excluded from the first game) as both Inny and Bosch grabbed their chance and is looking good.
@SheldonK (Comment 3) : Do you seriously believe Deysel with his out dated game,slow ponderous and always on the edge of a penalty is a better bet than Jean Luc,seriously I wonder if I watch the same games people on here sometimes
@JD (Comment 7) : No look not saying they should all be in the team (i happy with the team selected in general ). Just was highlighting some interesting names not there. If we expand to injured/Bok guys there is : Beast, Adriaanse, Coenie, Lewies, Dan DuPreez, Mthembu, Claasens, Lambie, April, Williams, Mjekevu, Maritz. Sharks still look thin for depth at 12 and 6.
@The hound (Comment 12) : Not saying he is better. Just saying tough on a guy thats benched last few games not to get a start but be leapfrogged by a guy that was out injured…thats all. If he is that shite then rather leave him out altogether and get someone else
@robdylan (Comment 10) : I’m not sure it’s a myth. Every time I see him play, I like what I see. His defence is very solid and he has some serious pace. I guess Odwa does better under the high ball, but S’bura is the future, and he needs to play.
@JD (Comment 11) : @JD (Comment 11) : Yip,Inno has grabbed the opportunity by the horns and is shining. Do you guys believe that Bosch is really playing that well? His place kicking is superb, but i find him MIA during the game, am i being to harsh? i never see him join the line or break from open play, he was very quiet against Boland.
@Vonno13 (Comment 16) : Bosch is playing a safe game at the moment. Think he is still sizing things up at this level. There is nothing wrong with his catching/kicking game and he does try run things back but mostly passes way before any contact…and well i can understand why. He will grow into it
@SheldonK (Comment 17) : For sure, he is certainly playing safe , it is horrible to say as he is so young, but i do not like a safe fullback. I would rather see him flaunting his skills at junior level and working his way up. Like i said, his kicking is unbelievable, but i still have not seen him hit or been exposed properly. Expect an up and under exploit from the Bulls this weekend.
@The hound (Comment 12) : Yup, cant compare the two – one is new age, the other bash crash bash. Lots of young loosies coming through and they, Sharks, must not make the mistake of keeping the old and losing the new
@Vonno13 (Comment 18) : Look i understand the value of them playing him at this level- but to be honest he would have been my player 22 every game and getting the last 30minutes every game. Id also like to see our 11/14/15 running lines off the 10 and 12 not just hanging out wide
@SheldonK (Comment 13) : Look I know this is a contentious issue but Deysel has contributed the sum total of fuck all to the Sharks in the last two years,he was chosen as captain and in his very first appearances as such kicked an opponent in the head.He has hardly played two games in succession in two years, has more red cards than any other Shark,contrast him with a young guy who was man of the match in about three Super rugby games in his first season.There is no contest,now I am waiting for some turkey to say that the only reason Jean Luc was chosen is because his father is the coach.
@JD (Comment 8) : @robdylan (Comment 10) : Guys, I’m not doubting Odwa’s abilities.. he is and always will be one of the Shark legends. But I get the feeling coaches pick him as he is a “safe” option with loads of experience. Mr. reliable. But in terms of raw speed and sheer strength to beat defenders? We HAVE to start blooding youngsters now. That’s what currie cup is for. So when Super Rugby start next year we will have young, strong, fast guys that we can count on. If not Sbu, then Maritz? @jakkalas (Comment 15) : Exactly.
@Another Nick (Comment 22) : Maritz did not put a foot wrong when he played, cant believe he is not playing
@Another Nick (Comment 22) : S’bura is hardly a youngster now. He’s 26 years old. Why is it that in all that time he hasn’t managed to cement a position? It can’t always be that the coaches are wrong.
@The hound (Comment 21) : Well the point you kind of touched on there is one i have raised previously…are the Sharks retaining/continuing to invest in guys that arent adding value any more? And should we not be discarding those and looking at ‘new investments’ even if those are from within. Guys like Deysel, Sithole, Williams, Majola, Kleinhans all come to mind…
@robdylan (Comment 24) : Fair point. But he has also been shoved from wing to centre to wing back to centre etc. And then having to make space for a guy 10 years his senior can’t do his confidence much good. I truly believe he has the talent and skill to make it big. I guess I am just concerned we are not building enough depth in our wings department. If coaches persist with Odwa and he gets injured in the first game or to then suddenly we find ourselves in shit creek and wonder why.
@JD (Comment 8) : Odd one in the garden was the best a backline player against Boland. Big Andre close second
@robdylan (Comment 24) : Flip Rob, great comment, thank you!!!!!!!……please listen to the man and put the Sithole myth to bed now. Can not agree with you more. His work rate is extremely poor, always running at the man to see if he can make a spectacular bump off. poor under the high ball. Odders at least runs into space and work rate is higher. My opinion is that Sithole is lucky to make the bench, Maritz should be there.
@The hound (Comment 21) : It’s because JL’s dad is the coach Hound……LOL
Joking Hound, very valid points made regarding Deysel, he is not the answer. Stampkar looking for contact to show off his “bus is vol” skills. Work rate is also non existent…..JL is the future!!!! and awaiting Dan’s return.
@robdylan (Comment 24) : I don’t know what the story is with the coaches. Maybe he is just unlucky and gets overlooked because he’s too quiet (or who knows what). But I don’t remember him ever having a truly bad game which would cause a coach to drop him. Surely they have to go on on-field performance? I’ve watched pretty much every Sharks game for years now, and based on his performances I’ve seen him play, I would DEFINITELY have him in my team.
@Another Nick (Comment 22) : if you want to build a wing for the future I think we must start with a youngster like Marnitz not a 26 year old like Sithole. Yes he’s talented but needs to show why he should be pick above Odwa and sorry to say to date he did not shaw any reason why he should be! Odwa is not a “safe option” he’s currently the best option. Did you see him running off van der Walt to score a try? He did not look to slow to me?!?!
@JD (Comment 30) : I’m happy to build with Maritz if the coaches insist that Sbu is rubbish. But then they must start doing it! Odwa is not going to be around for much longer and then??
@robdylan (Comment 24) : must say I’m 100% with you on this one! To look to develope a replacement for Odwa maybe time to look further than him and try Marnitz or one of Impi or under 21 wings!
@Another Nick (Comment 31) : nobody is saying he’s rubbish but currently Odwa is around and he is better than Sithole (and the others that’s available) so why drop him? Personally I believe it’s up to the players to use the chances they get to show why they should be picked instead of Odwa. Just look how Inny and Bosch showed the coaches they can do it whilst April was out
@Another Nick (Comment 2) : He deserves it. He may have lost a lot of pace,but he is putting in some great performances the last few weeks
@robdylan (Comment 24) : I still feel Nkosi should be given a run also, when he is back from injury, big strong lad, reminds me of Savea or Naholo, just needs to be with the right coach to extract all that talent
it’s not Marnitz, guys….
@jakkalas (Comment 29) : The story with the coaches is that they have this completely ridiculous obsession with players having to be able to catch a rugby ball. I mean, c’mon, how unfair is that!?
@robdylan (Comment 36) : His name is Neil but his friends call him Marnitz
@The hound (Comment 21) : I could fault you on your diplomacy, but not on the general sentiment of your post. Harsh, but true.
@Culling Song (Comment 37) : Very unfair indeed. Was the ball prepared to be caught…was the grip adequate…was there a gust of wind or an increase in the suns rays at the time. All very relevant factors that should be taken into account. Bladdy unfair to just expect a player to catch a ball…
I think Rob is right regarding the Odwa vs Sithole argument. If Sithole was a poor a player as many are suggesting then why have we kept him in the system for so long? I’d rather we just cut him loose and let him go somewhere else. This is starting to feel like Craig Burden 2.0. My feelings are Odwa is a solid option, one that brings a clear head and an ability to finnish, despite him not being the fastest player on the park. However he is nearing the end of his career and have we got a tried and tested alternative, answer is no. I stated at the beginning of the CC, play Sithole a full season as the Sharks number 1 wing. If he can not produce the goods then cut him loose. Unfortunately we are going through another season and not knowing whether we want him or not. I think the way we are managing him is a waste of his time, our time and every winger behind him time.
@Hulk (Comment 41) : I agree with you
Just looking at the Sharks depth so trying to think of a team of those not picked this week: 1. Beast 2. Van Vuuren 3. Adriaanse 4. McDuling 5. Lewies 6. Geldenhuys 7. DuPreez 8. Mthembu 9. Claasens 10. Lambie 11. Sithole 12. Louw (Williams leaving) 13. Maritz 14. Mjekevu 15. April
@robdylan (Comment 36) : blame auto correct!
@robdylan (Comment 42) : agreeing to confuse people or to stop the argument?
@SheldonK (Comment 13) : I think we should be moving in on Velleman from the Kings as he also cover 8 and is still young
@Tumza (Comment 46) : Chris Cloete could also be an asset ❓ ❓
@Tumza (Comment 46) : Velleman already gone overseas as far as i know. Chris Cloete has been in and out of durban many times- sharks not interested.
@KingRiaan (Comment 1) : I agree, Am is a definite find on our part, his Defense might no beat Jordaan standards yet, but jordaan also had years to learn his craft, and Am’s defense is by no means poor, is passing really impresses me
@SheldonK (Comment 48) : Missed out 😥
@Vonno13 (Comment 16) : He was in high school last year. Pace of the game is very different. He’s options are being closed very quickly. Give him time. My early view is that he still doesn’t trust himself to make the decision for fear of failure. He’ll grow and figure all of this out soon.
@The hound (Comment 21) : No one can claim he is only there because of pappa, that would be bullshit. He deserves his spot and he deserved his chance. In fact , I think Rob is especially though with both of them for exactly that reason.
@robdylan (Comment 24) : @Lieplapper (Comment 28) : Regarding the Sithole debacle, why is it that JW could get him performing so well to make the Bok squad on OC and other coaches not? Surely the guy has some talent and on top of that a whole lot of pace and size to go with it.
@Quintin (Comment 53) : Bear in mind it was Heyneke Meyer who picked him and general consensus is HM’s player judgement was horrible. Also bear in mind what other players were playing well at the time in that position? And then also remember the Griffons scrumhalf also made the Bok squad one time under HM. So not saying he didnt play well, i still dont think he was exceptional, but yeh maybe some perspective about who actually picked him
@Lieplapper (Comment 28) : Sad but Sbura’s game has not developed at all. He’s best season was when he played 13 for us. He’s skill set can definitely offer more at 13 than at wing. He needs to speak up. Take a gamble. Tell them he wants to compete mainly for the 13 jersey.
@Quintin (Comment 53) : Refer to my comment above. Sbura has too many weaknesses for a wing.
The Sithole debate is really a simple one in my mind and probably same goes for the coaches he has had. If we look at his attributes: He has a big upper body, he is very quick, tackling can be good but can go walkabout on occasion, catching ability quite suspect (seems good at juggling), kicking game non existent, passing ability very weak, tendency to try run over an opponent. So looking at that….well
@SheldonK (Comment 54) : let’s just delve into this “picked for the Boks” story. S’bura was invited to one training camp. They looked at him and sent him back. He’s not been invited again.
Sorry to say, but maybe Jake White really is the only coach in the world that can get consistently good performances out of this player?
@robdylan (Comment 58) : Now that’s out of the way, can we please just finish off the trope the right way?
If Sbu was playing in New Zealand he’d have had 50 All Black caps by now. Discuss. 😈
@robdylan (Comment 58) : @vanmartin (Comment 59) : ja look I’m now official done with this discussion as it’s going nowhere! Some people will love a certain player and blame coaches other players or basically anything else to why he’s not selected for the Bokke or a provincial team!
@robdylan (Comment 58) : And if it is true that JW is the only coach that can get him to play well, then the fact that JW has not been knocking on his door to come to France to play for him is also very telling, no? Or the fact nobody else seems interested in him either.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 61) : I read somewhere that the Stormers were interested?
@Dancing Bear (Comment 61) : @pastorshark (Comment 62) : once again it’s up to the player to show his worth so that other teams will see him and make a offer. Thinking of it it’s a bit strange that he did not try to go back to 7’s for Rio?
@Dancing Bear (Comment 61) : That comment of yours pretty much tells the tale…
@robdylan (Comment 58) : Mayne he should go on loan to kings and get some consistent game time. Even if we just get a good backup wing out of that it would still be ok.
The fact that there is always so much discussion around this guy and that we still try him every so often tells me most people still have a gut feel that he could be something.
@SheldonK (Comment 57) : Then by that token should we not also invest time in Wandile to see if he can become a powerful winger?
@vanmartin (Comment 59) : Sorry no takers