Curwin Bosch is back from injury, which should mean that Boeta Chamberlain will be available for the Sharks U/21 team for the final against the Bulls
Mvovo is fit to play after leaving the field early on Loftus last Saturday.
The Bulls managed to find a lot of space when they attacked us out wide. The Cheetahs have the personnel and attitude to do the same – so the Sharks will have to address this problem on Saturday.
- Thomas du Toit
- Kerron van Vuuren
- Coenie Oosthuizen
- Ruben van Heerden
- Hyron Andrews
- Phepsi Buthelezi
- Jacques Vermeulen
- Tera Mtembu (cc)
- Sanele Nohamba
- Curwin Bosch
- Lwazi Mvovo
- Andre Esterhuizen
- Jeremy Ward (cc)
- Kobus van Wyk
- Aphelele Fassi
Replacements:
- Dylan Richardson
- Mzamo Majola
- John-Hubert Meyer
- Gideon Koegelenberg
- Andisa Ntsila
- Cameron Wright
- Rhyno Smith
- JP Pietersen
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Not a bad matchday 23. We definitely have the team to win this match, even if it is in Bloem. It all depends on which Sharks team shows up on Saturday…
Andisa Ntsila is going to be very good addition to the squad. Have seen him play plenty and will bring some X factor to our backrow
I must admit I liked how the Sharks were playing with Chamberlain at 10, Bosch is a bit different. Cheetahs have a good side on paper but do seem to fade in patches during a game giving opposition a chance. Sharks don’t have the best record in Bloem
@SheldonK (Comment 3) : Both of Bosch and Chamberlain have a great skillset, but different players. Bosch can step and run faster, but it seems like Chamberlain has a better awareness of what is going on around him, which is why his small chip kicks and pop passes are so effective. Both are great at distribution. Bosch obviously brings that big boot of his to the table, but Chamberlain makes sure his clearance kicks only just go out to try and maximize his distance. Won’t say that everything I typed is accurate, just my opinion after seeing him play only twice. I will be more than happy with having the two of them as FH for SR next year.
@HeinF (Comment 4) : Chamberlain is the better tactical kicker of the two – he manages to kick into open space almost every time. Bosch can sometimes be guilty of aimless kicking straight into the hands of opposing wing / fullback.
If I selected the team I would have had Chamberlain on the bench instead of JPP. JP is a legend but nowadays he looks uncomfortable even at this level.
@HeinF (Comment 4) : @Bokhoring (Comment 5) : Im still of the opinion that Bosch is better suited to fullback, much like I thought Lambie was. Both are still good at flyhalf though. For me Chamberlain just asks more questions on attack and takes the ball flatter which creates space out side. Bosch, like Damien Willemse, take the ball deeper and rely on their stepping to hold defenders and create space.
@SheldonK (Comment 7) : You seem to have forgotten what Bosch did at FH during Super Rugby. Chamberlain looks like he can definitely develop into a good FH but does he have that X factor that Bosch has? Concerned about Meyer at TH. Too many collapsed scrums and penalties when he comes on.
@SheldonK (Comment 3) : Sharks had a last gasp win in Durban, Cheetahs came back from far behind to beat the WP. That is the patch that counts 😛
Game in a Orange Bloem ????…… It is game on
@sudhir (Comment 8) : That is what makes it difficult to choose between the two, they are different type of FHs. But Bosch has proven himself, Chamberlain will need to first play to get the starting spot!
Going to be a cracking game! Cheetahs have been in great attacking form, scoring 34 tries, the most. The Sharks scored 20. The Cheetahs, unlike in seasons past have conceded the second least tries, 21. The Sharks have conceded 22.
Sharks have AE back, but quite frankly, that might not be a bad thing for the Cheetahs.
Cheetahs at home, I fear their loosies will be the difference, Cheetahs by 10, but I am expecting a titanic clash. Could just as well be Sharks by 10 given the fluctuations in firm by both teams.
@KingCheetah (Comment 9) : To be fair the Cheetahs should never have lost any of the games they did this CC, reminds me of their one super rugby season a few years ago. Concern for the Cheetahs would be that they will need a big step up if they are to compete in Pro14 as CC level is quite low.
@sudhir (Comment 8) : Bosch was barely at flyhalf in super rugby as that position was dominated by the man with the mo. For me Bosch plays 10 like a 15, takes it deeper and relies on a step to create space but that can mean our wider players get cramped for space. I like how Chamberlain takes the ball flat and trust me he definitely has X factor…that chip and chase against the Bulls an example. Put it this way- Bosch will not make the Bok side at 10 so he needs to decide what he wants to do and where he wants to go.
I see Chamberlain not named in the u21 side this weekend. Must mean he is travelling with the senior side to Bloem as they aren’t fully convinced Bosch is fit.
The Internet Rumour Mill is strongly suggesting that Brent Janse van Rensburg has been appointed the new Sharks coach. Does anyone have any insider information?
@josefgremlin (Comment 15) : Honestly, if true its a silly move. He never stays in a job long and does better with no name players in a less distracting environment. Decent coach but this would be a wrong move by both parties
@SheldonK (Comment 14) : think he will travel with the team to cover if a player gets injured before the game starts. If not they will probably be used as water boys.
@JD (Comment 17) : Most likely, just a crappy situation for a player as he could effectively play no more rugby in Sharks colours this year
@SheldonK (Comment 16) : If this were true, I’d rather advocate saving the money and sticking with Everitt until we can lure Joe Schmidt or Scott Robertson or… one can always dream 😉
@Culling Song (Comment 19) : hahah lovely dreams you are having. If I were the Sharks id definitely hold off on appointing anyone. There will definitely be fall out after the World Cup and then the NZ coaching decision so want to be in a position to possibility pick up someone from that
@josefgremlin (Comment 15) : People are adding 2 + 2 and arriving at Green. Bjvr abruptly resigned GWK and shark are shopping so naturally the two tie up? In my opinion Everitt is at least on par with him. It would be a lateral move at best. He could just as easily be going to the Kings….
@SheldonK (Comment 12) : Totally agree! Nothing I have seen from Cheetahs inspire confidence for a good showing in Pro14. Sharks pretty much in the same boat. They drastically need to shore up the scrum, in particular the loose forwards. Bulls also in dire straights. Think the S15 and Pro14 is going to be a dismal one for SA sides
@KingCheetah (Comment 22) : Available number of quality players stretched over too many sides. Personally I think SA can put together at most 3 competitive sides in total from all SA based players
@coolfusion (Comment 21) : Everitt most likely going to be the SR coach for 2020. I doubt BJVR will be signed by a premier league union as a DOR so I highly doubt he will get a sharks job at a “higher level”
@KingCheetah (Comment 22) : @Bokhoring (Comment 23) : Agree with you both there
@KingCheetah (Comment 22) : @Bokhoring (Comment 23) : Agree as well, stupidest PR was reducing the number of teams in Super Rugby to 4 to strengthen the SA sides and then we put 2 teams in Pro14.
Oh my word. It has been confirmed. Bjvr is coming to Durban. Don’t think that is a wise decision. But as always time will tell.
@osbal (Comment 27) : Surely in a junior league. I don’t see him replacing or being above Everitt.
@osbal (Comment 27) : Where has it been confirmed?
@coolfusion (Comment 29) : I’ll wait until a more reputable source than “die son” carries the story. And to see what his role will be. I can’t see how he would leapfrog Everitt as SR choice.
It was on super sport. Butch was talking about it just before the loins griquas game in studio. Can someone please tell me how to tag someone if replying on a comment. Don’t know how. Seker die cellphone lol. Sharks by 7 by the way.
Ok sorry guys. Looks like everit will be head coach and jvr will be our forward coach. Sorry the pub is a bit busy. End month lol. Enjoy the game
@osbal (Comment 31) : Click on his avatar (icon) the hen type your reply.
@osbal (Comment 32) : I was actually thinking it would be in ab assistant role. Strange though how he thinks forwards coach at sharks is a higher level position than head coach at ‘kwas. Maybe there is some bad blood there?
Maybe the pay check is at a higher level. Hahaha
Ok I thinks it’s the cellphone I tried the avatar trick but it did not work. Cheers guys
7 Bosch – Cheetahs 0
Hi Guys, anywhere i can stream from?
😯
Nohambaaaaa!!
Sharks were 7-11 down…great try by Nohamba…12-11 after 24 minutes…
Cheetahs creating at least two try scoring opportunities – fortunately for the Sharks take the wrong decision each time. We need to keep the concentration on defense
@Bokhoring (Comment 41) : Our defence has been better today though…
Penalty Sharks…15-11 after 32 minutes…
@pastorshark (Comment 42) : It has improved, but just at crucial times we allow the Cheetahs to run too far unchallenged
Mthembu has done wonderful stuff on defence. Great ankle tap on Pienaar there…
@Bokhoring (Comment 44) : yeah, especially out wide…
Great work by van Wyk pilfering the ball there…
Bosch tactical kicking not working. Cheetahs run each one back with interest
I like what Everitt is doing with this Sharks team on attack. Another great try
Great try to Mvovo off a Cheetahs lineout. Our backs are very lively today…
@Bokhoring (Comment 49) : really, really good!
20-11 at halftime. Pity about 2 Bosch conversion misses…
Massive exit from Fassi, but then gets injured by a late charge
Fassi has to leave – what a pity
@Bokhoring (Comment 53) : And now he has to go off because of it! 😡
@Bokhoring (Comment 54) : real pity…he has been on fire in the last few weeks…
2 Cheetahs players offside at the kickoff – what exactly do the AR’s do?
That was a knock-on…surely!
@Bokhoring (Comment 57) : waaaay offside…
Sharks need to up the defense – some iffy tackles allow Small-Smith to score
TMO checking it now…
Says it went backwards… 😡
When Gavin Cowley said it went forward…well…
23-16 after 48 minutes…
Ja well
Fassi is a big loss…
The ref says, “No, 7!” 7 steals the ball. Ref says good turnover…
Hmmm…
Sharks will have to up the defense and tactical kicking – all the marginal decisions going to the Cheetahs
@Bokhoring (Comment 67) : including that penalty against van Wyk…the last 5 minutes the Sharks have seriously drawn the short straw from the ref!
The Cheetahs are very offside at each ruck…
@pastorshark (Comment 68) : No consistency
Maybe he just told Marius to open his fucken eyes
Some Sharks support staff guy has just been asked to leave for chirping the touch judge. I can’t blame him, but the Sharks need to keep their heads in the face of this…
@Bokhoring (Comment 71) : @Bokhoring (Comment 71) : exactly! Very frustrating…but need to focus…
Jeepers, that is a very harsh penalty!!
Byron has been massive in the lineouts today…great steal again…
Shit…
The lineout had started forming when that quick throw was taken…ref says no lineout formed. Come on, man!!
Cheetahs catch the Sharks asleep with a quick lineout and Pienaar scores.
Even stevens
@Bokhoring (Comment 78) : that lineout began forming…quick throw should not have been allowed…
23-23…
Good play there by the Cheetahs…
Sharks defense leaving huge gaps now. Cheetahs playing with lots of energy – Sharks look tired
The game has now completely turned around…the Sharks need to regain focus…
Surely that is a yellow…he lifted his legs completely above the horizontal…
Great patience, great try!
Bosch spots a gap and scores under the poles
This is a very good game…
Cheetahs metres in front of the kicker again…
Cheetahs offside again at the kickoff
@Bokhoring (Comment 90) : as in METRES offside…
@pastorshark (Comment 88) : Good game with poor officiating
Have to say very good interplay between Cheetahs
37-30 Cheetahs lead again
Illegal mail by cheetahs … That was obstruction. Early transfer before contact
Cheetahs forwards completely overpowering ours now
90m loss
Game over…
@byron (Comment 95) : Well if refs don’t pick up players ahead at kickoffs, do you expect them to look out for that?
@Bokhoring (Comment 99) : that’s the basics of rugby. It’s game over now ….
Getting ugly now
Ref checked his bank account halftime, was good until the kickoff for the 2nd try by ox poor Richardson was dumped on his head in the ruck and nothing. Poor fassi taken out late, nothing
Cheetahs play good rugby and deserve the win, but this entire reffing panel really need to look at themselves in the mirror tonight
I appreciate when refs make mistakes at the breakdown, but not to notice something as simple as players ahead of the kick at kickoffs MULTIPLE times is not on
@Bokhoring (Comment 103) : Before king cheetah gloates himself into oblivion, well done cheetahs, however, fuck the entire reffing panel. First half was good, second half was a witch hunt for anything not wearing white.
As pissed as I am with the reffing and the loss, Sharks defense was piss poor in the last 15 minutes and that’s what lost us the game. Good effort to get to the sf but we never looked like winning this thing anyway.
I’m actually more sorry the kwas lost to the lions at this point.
@jdolivier (Comment 105) : Your assessment is accurate…why else would Williams have been chucked off the sidelines? Because he called Marius van der Westhuizen on it. Multiple ‘advantage!’ calls every time Cheetahs on attack, not so for the converse.
Brent Janse van Rensburg to be assistant coach at the Sharks for Super Rugby. Sean Everitt head coach.
Congratulations to the Cheetahs on taking their opportunity to win. Poor defense and suspect ref cost the Sharks especially Small Smith try from a knock on and the try from the quick lineout after ref told Ward he can make the substitution. Also the sharks bench were poor when they came on. But well done to the guys on a good performance during the CC especially the young guys and Van Wyk. John Hubert Meyer does not look good enough to make the squad. Time to cut the anchors and invest in some other TH.
Congratulations to Brent Janse Van Rensberg on his appointment as assistant coach of the Sharks. Hopefully we can loan some of the griquas forwards for SR.
@Hulk (Comment 106) : If SArugby wants to improve the level of rugby in this country they need to start with the referees. We barely have Currie cup level refs … No super 15 level or international ones. There is no consistency. This weekend a try was scored by free state with 3 sharks standing in line with linesman while 3 players were being substituted and yet a quick lineout was allowed. This is the basics of game management. Players Infront of the kicker, obstruction at the mail , a quick tap and a cynical offside tackle that is a yellow in all other games was left.
Fassi injury was a direct result of a late tackle. It should have been a penalty where the ball landed. It resulted in a try to free state 2 phases later.
Fans are crying out for consistency not home town bias.
@byron (Comment 111) : It has become an amateur game in terms of the refs. If a Sub has been allowed they cannot take a quick lineout.
Sharks looked good on attack in the first half and pressuring opposition into kicking and they have clearly practised the counter attack. 2nd half the Sharks ran out of legs and a lot of the subs were poor. Cheetahs really are a fit side, Sharks have a lot of work to do in that department. Cheetahs would have run away winners but there were some ref shockers….letting the cheetahs take a quick lineout after he has called subs onto the field, just giving a penalty when Ox wasn’t 5m back and it was a dangerous tackle, blatant offside miss which resulted in Williams altercation. Was a great game marred by those decisions. Also I don’t think I heard the commentators mention Terra Mthembu once during the game, playing at 8 not once was he mentioned…tells a tale
@SheldonK (Comment 113) : Agree with you except comments on Tera. Tera had a good game and made crucial tackles. Ruan Pienaar break in the 1st half would have resulted in a try if not for Tera’s ankle tap. He is not a strong ball carrying 8 like Dan Du Preez but has been reasonably good in CC and is a skillful linking player. Problem is that all our loose forwards are the same type of player there the balance is not there.
@SheldonK (Comment 113) : It seems the Everrit & Williams combination is really working well. Skills on attack are definitely improving – I don’t recall many handling errors.
However defense was a bit of a curate’s egg – sometimes really offensive defense coupled with periods where we allowed the Cheetahs to run too far unchallenged. The reserves brought no energy boost when they came on – you could see the starting players were exhausted, but the reserves played like they have been on the field for 80 minutes already.
I would definitely want Bosch and Fassi on the field at the same time, but I am also not convinced Bosch’s best position is at flyhalf. His tactical kicking was mostly poor and straight to an opposition player.
@sudhir (Comment 114) : Guess we will disagree as I don’t believe Tera is good enough to be playing, especially Super rugby
@Bokhoring (Comment 115) : For me Bosch is a 15. Problem is Fassi is doing well there, although not sure if he will enjoy the same freedoms to run in super rugby and whilst he has a big boot its not that educated.
Must say I felt for Chamberlain having to carry the water after playing so well previously
@SheldonK (Comment 116) : I also don’t think Tera should be first choice for Super Rugby but we have lost all our loose forwards except for Tyler Paul. Also with the twins and Botha missing the physicality of the the forwards is missing. Our current loose forwards are all similar type of players hence the need to recruit a fetcher and couple of big ball carriers for SR. Maybe Janse Van Rensberg can loan some of the griquas like Gideon van der Merwe and Sias Koen or the Pumas 8 and 7. WP also has too many loose forwards. Maybe we could lure 1of them to Durban, ie. Wiese, Coetzee, Augustus.
@sudhir (Comment 118) : Ntsila is new – and i’ve heard good things but I haven’t seen enough to get what kind of player he is, 2 x Venter (James and Hencu) and Notshe have all been rumoured. Notshe’s a good player but I don’t see the big power/fetching skills we’ve short of, not sure about the other two. Coetzee would be great, Augustus too – van Rhyn might work too but, for me, the best Sharks sides have had power at 7 and that’s the missing piece. Marcel would be the dream – would transform the look of the pack totally.
After watching the highlights of our match a couple of times, a few things stand out.
1.Nohamba should not have been subbed so early.
2. Ryno Smith was probably the worst player. Did not complete any tackles I think. Tried to hug his new teammates instead of tackling low.
3. Vermeulen should have been subbed instead of Tera as he was out on his feet. Blommetjies noticed it and attacked his channel resulting in 3 tries due to missed tackles by Vermeulen and the cover defense. Feel for the guy. Any way, to Jacques and Ryno thanks for your service to the Sharks and good luck with your new teams.
@JR (Comment 119) : But he breaks so reliably
@sudhir (Comment 118) : Speaking of Tyler Paul, is he injured or has he left as wasn’t involved with CC. In terms of selection you either pick a tight 5 as a combo or you pick your locks and loosies as a combination. As you say we have a lot of loose forwards but its finding the right combo that gel well together.
@SheldonK (Comment 122) : Tyler Paul was not available for the Currie Cup due to recovery from long term injury, but he is very much still a Shark. Here is a quote from the article announcing the 2019 CC Squad:
“Everitt, also announced an exciting 39-man squad for the Currie Cup competition. Andrew Evans and Tyler Paul have not been included, at this stage, due to their current rehabilitation from long-term injuries.”
@Dancing Bear (Comment 123) : Ok thanks, must have missed that. Andrew Evans is another young mobile lock that could easily play 7
@SheldonK (Comment 124) : Article also mentioned that Schreuder was not considered for Captain as he had a short term injury that would prevent him from playing the first few games of the season, but we never saw him. I wonder what is going on with him, from the same article:
“Vodacom Super Rugby captain, Louis Schreuder has a broken toe and will miss the first few matches of the competition, therefore could not be considered.”
Also what happened to Luke Stringer? Everyone had high hopes for him after his first few SR performances.
My SR2020 loose trio – 8 Henco Venter | 7 Tyler Paul | 6 Luke Stringer. All of Notshe, Pepsi, James, Roos and the rest can fight for a spot on the bench. Although not sure what has happened to Stringer this CC. He has good hands, quick, and can play a good linking game
@Choochi (Comment 126) : Not sure what happened to Stringer, he played first couple CC matches but then disappeared, not even a bench appearance. Seems he is not favoured by the coaching staff.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 127) : That would be a pity if he is on the outs. But Notshe (if he is indeed signed) can also fulfil that quick/rangy roll as well
Who also impressed me was Junior Pokomela from the Cheetahs. Haven’t seen too much of him play but he was quite impressive in the CC semi against us last week.
Cheetahs chances of winning the final just took a massive blow! Marius van der Westhuizen is the ref with AJ Jacobs and Egon Seconds the assistant refs!
Hahahahaha nice one sudhir
@Dancing Bear (Comment 125) : @Dancing Bear (Comment 127) : Seems Stringer fell out of favour as he was playing club rugby for Collegians. Seems Leolin Zas also seems surplus and will probably leave soon.
@SheldonK (Comment 132) : I seem to remember reading that Zas has already signed to go back to Province
@sudhir (Comment 130) : Agree, he’s an unrepentant lions fanboy. I remember how he stuffed the Sharks around two years ago (I think) in our last pool match of Super rugby and the lions got the rub of the green and beat us, though we outplayed them. Marius van der Westhuizen is not on acceptable level for a final. Not too many decent referees these days.
@sudhir (Comment 130) : Those ARs are below par, you just know there’s going to be controversy
In terms of the assigned referees I am surprised to see Aimee Barrett Theron being omitted. At the start of the year she was appointed to the Elite panel but at most she has just run touch. Before anyone has the she is a woman argument go and watch the games she has reffed and you will she free flowing attractive rugby being promoted with very few questionable decisions- is that no what us fans want form a ref. SARU has dropped the ball in this regard I believe.
Congrats to the Cheetahs! They are worthy Currie Cup Champions. I have really enjoyed the rugby they played…
Well done…
@SheldonK (Comment 136) : I agree with you…
@pastorshark (Comment 137) : Just shows what fitness and team spirit does……. Congratulations to the cheetahs.
So news24 has it that Werner Kok may be converted to openside flank when he moves to the Sharks. Good call in my view… Can’t wait!
@Karl (Comment 140) : I have no doubt he’d do well there provided he has the size to handle the physicality (how big is he? Will he cope?) but is this not a waste of his skill set?
On saying this I have always felt he’d be best at 13 and that’s not going to happen at the Sharks so not sure the Sharks is in his best interest. But super happy to hear he’s coming.
@Hulk (Comment 141) : I feel like he might be able to handle a lot of guys bigger than he is. Read a story once that when a new recruit is added to the 7s squad, they have to wrestle him. And only after that, WHEN he beats them, do they get properly accepted into the squad. A type of initiation, I guess
@Karl (Comment 142) : He has always impressed me on the 7’s circuit, his physicality and defence there was impressive. Not to mention how often he manages to steal the ball.
Just a comparison to the likes of Marcell Coetzee, Kok is 10cm smaller and 20 kg lighter. Pierre Spies who converted to the forwards was also 10cm taller and 20kg heavier. Keegan Daniel who is not a big loosie to start with was still taller, but only a few cm and also out weighted him. I hope his relative diminutive stature doesn’t result in him getting zero game time if we are to persist with this experiment.
Kok has always seemed to play his heart out and hope he finds a suitable place at the Sharks where he can thrive and start to make inroads into his 15’s career.
OK so 9 new signings in total, however they will be announce periodically with a social media campaign
James Venter and ox were having a long chat at the conclusion on the cc final, I guess they new ahead of time they would be teammates now.
If we are recruiting Notshe, James venter, Henco venter and kok for the loose positions is that over kill?
Maybe not since kok will only be available around his 7’s national team commitments
We did lose JLDP, Dan, ginger, Vermeulen (am I forgetting anyone), and Tera is struggling to get to the level we need due to age and injuries
We do still have young Pepsi, Tyler Paul whose good at blind side and stringer. Evan Roos to be developed slowly
Interesting times
Let’s take a moment to acknowledge the beast that Joseph dweba has evolved into, wow. We are stocked at hooker but that dude is going to be a Bok after the WC
Based on the proposed signings we could be developing quite the mobile side:
1. Ox 2. Van Vuuren 3. DuToit 4. Van Der Mescht 5. Van Heerden 6. Venter 7. Kok 8. Buthelezi 9. Nohamba 10. Bosch 11. Mapimpi 12. Esterhuizen 13. Am 14. Nkosi 15. Fassi….
Speed all over the park with a bit of grunt in tight 5.
@revolverocelot (Comment 144) : Man, Dweba is a MACHINE! It’s sort of unfortunate that we’re fairly well stocked at hooker, I’d have loved to have him in the side. Can’t wait to see him progress further though, irrespective of where he plays
@Karl (Comment 146) : Probably best for his game playing in the Pro14 to be honest where there is more emphasis on executing those core skills, especially when its bitterly cold and pissing with rain up north.
@SheldonK (Comment 145) : very tough to expect a guy to play openside at Super Rugby level in Year 1. Surely more realistic for Hencu Venter to play 8 and Pepsi 6 with Tyler Paul slotting in at 7. I personally like most of the signings but don’t really see the point of Tambwe given what we have our wide. Another tighthead would be better?
@JR (Comment 148) : James Venter did play a few super rugby games for the Lions this year if my memory is correct. I do also rate Hencu Venter though. Still think Tyler Paul played his best at lock. Also don’t see the Tambwe point guess that means someone like Mvovo or Van Wyk is out in the cold. My feeling is Tambwe could be another Zas
@SheldonK (Comment 149) : I really rate Paul and particularly that he adds a bit of power to the pack. James v Hencu Venter i’ll bow to your knowledge – haven’t seen enough of either. Ditto Ntsila. I was more talking about Kok not being ready to play flank – and he’s definitely too small to play 7?
@JR (Comment 150) : Kok is a bit of a conundrum, useful tackler but of late does slip a lot of tackles. Also good running with the ball but his passing is woeful. Think he could make a decent 8 in time but that position takes time to get used to the set plays and positioning etc. Hencu Venter is very much a like for like for VD Walt in my opinion. James Venter basically is a young version of Marnus Schoeman. Sharks will need to make a few decision in terms of where current players will play, guys like DutToit, Richardson, Buthelezi, Paul.