Rob Du Preez Sr has made some interesting changes for the Saturday’s game in Kimberley – Rob Jr will run out at inside centre next to Bosch at flyhalf with Fassi at fullback. The Sharks also welcome back JLDP on the bench.
Akker swaps places with Chiliboy – captaincy goes to Schreuder. Coenie starts the match in place of Thomas who drops to the bench. Cam drops out of the squad altogether? Sbu Nkosi starts at 14 in place of van Wyk.
The Sharks could theoretically still make the top spot on the log if they score 4 tries, and the Bulls beat WP by more than 7 and restrict them to fewer than 4 tries. Alternatively they should just finish within 7 of the Kwas to qualify for a home semi.
- Juan Schoeman
- Akker van der Merwe
- Coenie Oosthuizen
- Gideon Koegelenberg
- Hyron Andrews
- Jacques Vermeulen
- Tyler Paul
- Daniel du Preez
- Louis Schreuder (C)
- Curwin Bosch
- Lwazi Mvovo
- Robert du Preez
- Jeremy Ward
- Sbu Nkosi
- Aphelele Fassi
Replacements
- Chiliboy Ralepelle
- Thomas du Toit
- JJ van der Mescht
- Jean-Luc du Preez
- Grant Williams
- Marius Louw
- Kobus van Wyk
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Feel bad for kobus, but that looks like a scoring backline
Some nice changes and at least a chance to see how RDP goes at 12. I think Bosch needed another crack at 10 as his D has been better recently. Would be nice to start Thomas at 1 and then move him to 3 for the second half.
Is Cam injured? Can anyone with connections in Sharks rugby assist?
Interesting changes after 1 loss. Lets see how guys respond. Some bold choices and chances
@SheldonK (Comment 4) : I think its because we only need a point to get a home semi I think we will see the usual suspects(in their usual positions) next week.
@Byron Wright (Comment 5) : RDP Jnr is in line to play and start every Super rugby and CC game this year…dont think anyone else can claim that same stat?
You are correct that must be a very select group.
@Bokhoring (Comment 3) : Not Injured
Did anyone hear anything about Akkers brother going to Bulls….or any confirmation with regards to Rassie…I heard Rassie is now Bulls coach the other are going to work with him in intervals g his tenure at Bulls.
@BoerSeun (Comment 9) : That’s Duhan, right? Doesn’t make sense for him to go there as they seem pretty well covered in the outside backs… Although I guess they’re no better off than any of the other franchises
A bit off topic but the Sharks recruitment at the moment has me a bit baffled.
We have signed Ruben Van Heerden from the bulls but now we seem a bit overstocked with locks.
For Super rugby-
Lewies-(I rate highly but injury prone)
Botha
Koglenberg
Van Heerden
Andrews
Paul(also 7)
Van der Mescht( one for the future)
I just don’t see why we signed Van Heerden as presumably a 5th choice lock when we have a youngster coming through like Van Der Mescht? Don’t forget we just added Koglenberg to the roster this year. In a time when cash is tight we could use the salary elsewhere. We seem to be doing a lot of shopping around the WP squad players- Kobus, Ruan, Vermuelen,RDP,Stringer and Zass are all ex WP most not good enough to play regular super rugby there.
I think the union needs some clarity with its recruitment process. Just my view. I would be recruiting less players but more that have done well at Super Rugby level.
There have been some good additions like Akker, Schroeder, Paul,RDP and a few more but those are guys who were already doing well elsewhere.
@Byron Wright (Comment 11) : I think they planning long term as i have a feeling both Botha and Lewies could be gone after super rugby next year. As will a few other players i suspect that arent part of the Boks RWC plans
@SheldonK (Comment 12) : You must be correct but I hope they not just buying quantity.
@Byron Wright (Comment 13) : There are apparently new regulations coming out next year in terms of how many players a union can contract so will be interesting to see how that is applied. I believe will only apply from 2020 though
@SheldonK (Comment 14) : This is going to be an interesting change. What happens if a franchise has multi-year contracts in place that will take them over the contracted player limit, surely they can’t be expected to break contracts with players (that is certainly not in the player’s best interests)? Are the Sharks perhaps building their “stocks” to take advantage of this when the rule change hits? This could be brilliant foresight by the Sharks…. 😉
Well I’m glad Rob has the opportunity to play with combos and see what he can see. It can be a positive for us.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 15) : Well expect some dispensation to be included in the new legislation, there always is….
@Byron Wright (Comment 11) : When we signed vhdn from the bulls I was thinking the same thing, I hardly find the time to post comments on here any more, though I read everything.
My thoughts on this has evolved some what though.
You outlined 7 locks on our books, I would add Evans to that list
The whole thing is sort of weird as not too long ago we were lacking any quality lock depth when Lewies was injured, the sa born England lock we recruited didn’t work out, Wentzel was a shadow of himself etc
I think we may lose one of Botha or Lewies even before Sr starts next year
I figure they are playing JJ this week to give him exposure but remember he barely played in the SRC this year so his Def a player we want to bring through slowly
Ruben Van Heerden looked average size playing for the bulls, and yet when he runs on the filled in the far less lose fighting sharks jersey he looks like a monster, extremely fast for someone that big as well.
Let’s see how things pan out. But I get what your saying. With a limited budget teams can’t afford too spend their salary cap all on one position.
Other observation: I see we have allowed Tristan blewett to join the kings, on loan I suspect
DSTV down by me. Commentary please guys…
Hau boys….help us out…sounds like a cracker
Bosch kicking well.
Houston by scheruder good discipline by Dan not to go for that.
Nkosi scores in the corner
Bosch misses the kick now he’s at 50%
Williams on for schreuder
Good exit by Bosch up to halfway
36-6 54 min sharks dominating pretty much all facets. Nkosi and mvovo with ward are just amazing
Kwas score.
@coolfusion (Comment 28) : Nope no try
@coolfusion (Comment 29) : Still 36 6
Bosch at 10 brings a different dynamic, Marius as busy as ever. Zas found his hands after the province meltdown
Knock by sharks kwas scrum
Sharks handling in general just not there yet, missed opportunities again for scoring, but vastly improved performance. Griquas at home are never a walkover
Sharks win scrum penalty
Chip too far by sharks but still penalty adv
Shark opt for lineout kick
Akker off Ward too
Penalty sharks on the line scrum
Good scrum and Zas scores in the corner
Bosch just getting difficult kick today. Misses
@coolfusion (Comment 40) : The kicking practice can only help
@jdolivier (Comment 41) : Yup
@coolfusion (Comment 42) : Good thing the boys are giving him plenty of chance
@coolfusion (Comment 42) : Really happy with the performance of the team. Not perfect, but very promising. This is a massive confidence builder
@coolfusion (Comment 43) : Hell yes
Kwas get their first
@coolfusion (Comment 46) : Pass looked forward
@coolfusion (Comment 47) : Definitely did, and a double movement from the hooker
@coolfusion (Comment 47) : Def forward pass. No try
Marius van Der westhuizen really hasn’t been up to his usual tricks. Very good game from him
Grant Williams shows a lot of speed
@jdolivier (Comment 51) : Nice step too
Nice gather chilli. But another turn over kwas get it.
@coolfusion (Comment 52) : Absolutely love it when the fringe players grab their chances
Bosch drops and misses. Still not a bad option
Bad offload Mvovo. Penalty kwas
Sharks defense breaking up. Chilli covers well
Kwas score. Some issues by sharks on defensive pillars there. Lots of gap
Sharks have comfortable win in hand here
@coolfusion (Comment 58) : Kept them out for 77 min, admirable defensive effort
Vd mescht has good strength
@coolfusion (Comment 61) : Man mountain
@jdolivier (Comment 62) : At 19 years only. Def some promise there
Done and done. Well done boys defense lapses and all.
JJ van der Mescht suprisingly caught me off guard. Watched the game and didn’t expect to such talent. Looking forward to seeing his progress. He can bring real muscle that has been missing from position 4 – 8.
Zas? He wasn’t in the team announced?
@revolverocelot (Comment 66) : Injury to kobus
Nice performance by the team!
Now for them to build on this in the play off games!!!
@revolverocelot (Comment 66) : van Wyk (injury) and Thomas (not sure why) was not in match squad and was replaced by Zas and Meyer.
Can anyone confirm semi-final line-up and kick off times?
@pastorshark (Comment 70) : The Sharks/Xerox Golden Lions clash at King’s Park will kick off at 14:30 and the Western Province/Vodacom Blue Bulls match at Newlands will start at 17h00.
@Karl (Comment 71) : Lions going to be a tough game. Sharks forwards will need to step up and perform if they want to beat the Lions!
@JD (Comment 72) : Yup, let’s hope the lads switch on for the final stretch and don’t take anyone lightly
@JD (Comment 69) : Also noticed no Dan?
Good win from the Sharks- not easy im Kimberly and teams can lose their way. Bosch/RDP gave us nice width on attack which our wings exploited. Late injury changes much have disrupted things a bit. Nice to see JLDP back. Also very promising from Van Der Mescht- i wondered how he would take to senior rugby but he has definitly muscled up and also added a good passing ability to his game. Id love to see him included on the bench going forward to aide his development.
@SheldonK (Comment 75) : Van Der Mescht looked very promising and he should add some serious grunt to the scrum as well.
Would be nice to see this pack against the lions:
1)Thomas
2)Akker
3)Coenie
4) Paul
5)Koeglenberg
6)Stringer
7)Jean Luc
8)Dan
That is a vicious pack against a weak but speedy lions pack. I just dont know how we would go without Andrews in the lineout.
@Byron Wright (Comment 76) : They will probably go Andrews over Koeglenberg. Also have a feeling Chilliboy starts over Akker and Vermuelen will start ahead of Stringer. This is all assuming no injuries.
I didnt watch the game yet but how did Rob Doep go at centre – he was great there for Maties but that was a different ball game. He generally has a great passing game.
@Byron Wright (Comment 76) : If Rassie allows Marx, Whiteley (depending if he is fit) and Mostert (apparently the Lions still claim him in a contractual dispute) to play in the semi, that Lions pack is no longer so weak.
@SheldonK (Comment 75) : @Byron Wright (Comment 76) : personally I would not include vd Mescht in the play off games. Yes he’s talented but give him another season to grow and on current form I would not pick him ahead of Andrews, Koegies and Paul. My forwards for play off games would be:
1 Schoeman
2 Akker
3 Coenie
4 Paul
5 Andrews
6 Vermeulen
7 JLdP
8 Dan
16 Chilli
17 Thomas
18 Koegies
19 Stringer
Could also start with Koegies but then I’d shift Paul to 6 and have both Stringer and Vermeulen on the bench.
@JD (Comment 80) : Yeh id be happy with that. Id probably like to see Stringer ahead of Vermuelen as he offers something different. And i have this feeling Chilliboy will start.
@SheldonK (Comment 81) : will not have a problem with either of those changes as the competition for starting spots is huge and all those players are on form and delivering.
@SheldonK (Comment 77) : No doubt you are correct on all points especially Chilli.
@Bokhoring (Comment 79) : I see that Marx and Whiteley may play in which case we may have a much more difficult task.
I cant see the Lions playing a kick/chase game so id like to see this lineup:
1. DuToit 2. Chilliboy 3. Oosthuizen 4. Koeglenberg 5. Andrews 6. Stringer 7. JLDP. 8. Dan DuPreez 9. Shreuder 10. Bosch 11. Mvovo 12. RDP 13. Ward 14. Nkosi 15. Fassi
Bench: Schoeman, Akker, Paul,Vermueln, Wright, Louw, Van Wyk
@SheldonK (Comment 81) : percent off @JD (Comment 82) : I see Tristan Blewitt has signed with the Kings, and Rhyno Smith apparently moving to the Cheetahs?
@KingCheetah (Comment 86) : good move for both players as they will struggle to get game time at the Sharks.
@JD (Comment 87) : Yeh agreed, both sitting twiddling their thumbs in Durban. I quite like both players and the way they play the game. Rhyno Smith a like for like for Blommetjies
@SheldonK (Comment 88) : ryno looked seriously sharp when he played for us a few times in the super sport rugby challenge when there wasnt any 7’s tournaments on, we are well stocked with back line players so it’s best he move on, even though his only loaned to the cheetahs for 5 weeks at this stage
@revolverocelot (Comment 89) : Sharks maybe hedging their bets until they find out who will be leaving after super rugby next year and also what the new contracting rules are from SARU