In a year where rugby fixture dates have become as reliable as the stock management schedule in a liquor store, there will be another 4 Sharks games to watch starting on the 28th February.
The Currie Cup teams plus the EP Elephants will play a series of games to prepare for the hopefully upcoming Rainbow Cup.
[…]Sean Everitt picked the same 23 players that won the semi-final in Cape Town with Jaden Hendrikse moving into the starting lineup.
The Sharks pack (apart from getting on the wrong side of the ref in the scrums) stood up well against the highly rated WP pack. We will need more of the same against the Bulls at Loftus.
[…]After a two break caused by Covid the Sharks travel to Cape Town for the semi-final against WP. Sean Everrit has selected what must be close to the strongest side the Sharks have on their books.
[…]The Sharks take on the Griquas at Kings Park and will be desperate to win this game. The Kwas will definitely target the creaky Sharks scrum which has been in turbo reverse against the Lions and Cheetahs. Likewise the Sharks have been vulnerable at the breakdown getting turned over regularly before being able to make use of the possession that comes their way.
[…]Merry Christmas everyone. There is actually a Sharks game this Sunday.
Aphelele Fassi makes a welcome return to the Sharks team that was soundly beaten at Ellis Park. However the Sharks pack will have to front up this Sunday against the Cheetahs for any of the back line players to shine.
Jaden Hendrikse and Jeremy Ward will start at 9 and 12 respectively. Hard working Ruben van Heerden makes a welcome return at 4 and Jonny Meyer will swap the number 3 jersey with youngster Michael Kumbirai (who got a tough schooling from Dylan Smith last week).
[…]The Sharks team announcement for the Kwas game had to be delayed due to a player testing positive for Covid. The player and two others who had close contact are in isolation, and we wish him/them well to recover fully from the virus.
Anthony Volminck gets a chance for his new union by starting in the 15 jersey with Manie Libbok moving to the bench. Dan Jooste and JJ van der Mescht swap starting places with Kerron van Vuuren and Ruben van Heerden respectively, and Dylan Richardson drops to the bench with James Venter taking the 6 jersey. Kwezi Mona may also make a debut for his new union and Cameron Wright covers the 9 from the bench. Thembelani Bholi will start in place of Henco Venter who misses out on squad selection.
Injuries to Lukhanyo Am (hand) and Sbu Nkosi (slight niggle) has required Sean Everitt to make some changes to the side that beat the Pumas. Jeremy Ward takes over the 13 jersey while Yaw Penxe will feature in the 14. Sikhumbuzo Notshe makes a welcome return on the bench with Werner Kok covering the back line along with Grant Williams. Henco Venter will captain the team in Am’s absence.
The Cheetahs are playing excellent rugby and will be a formidable opponent in Durban on Friday. The Sharks will need to continue the progress made last weekend.
Thomas du Toit, James Venter (ankle) and Sikhumbuzo Notshe (hamstring strain) are all not available for Saturday’s away game against the Pumas. Dylan Richardson moves to open side and is replaced at hooker by Dan Jooste. Jonny Meyer takes over the tight head with debutant Michael Kumbirai moving onto the bench.
Sbu Nkosi makes a welcome return for the Sharks along with Kerron van Vuuren and Henco Venter on the bench. Yaw Penxe will make his debut for the Sharks should he come on as a replacement.
Sean Everitt has selected 13 players that featured in the Springbok Green vs. Gold match for Friday’s game against the Lions. The match definitely did the Sharks no harm, as a couple of these players who were very rusty against the Bulls looked a lot sharper in the Bok game.
Lukhanyo Am will captain the Springbok Gold team in Saturday’s trial match. He will be joined by fellow Shark Sikhumbuzo Notshe in the starting lineup with Dylan Richardson, James Venter, Curwin Bosch and Werner Kok on the bench.
Sanele Nohamba, Hyron Andrews and Ox Nche all start in the Green team captained by Siya Kolisi, with Thomas du Toit, JJ van der Mescht, Manie Libbok, and Jeremy Ward on the bench.
James and Henco Venter join the growing injury list and are also not available for Saturday’s game against the Bulls. It will be up to Sikhumbuzo Notshe and Tera Mtembu to guide the young loose forwards in the squad.
Likewise JP Pietersen has been roped in to add some experience in the back three.
The squad includes a number of U/20 Bok players who traveled to Argentina in 2019 – Thaakir Abrahams, Caleb Dingaan Celimpilo Gumede, Jaden Hendrikse, Emile van Heerden plus “old” Sharks hands JJ van der Mescht, Phepsi Buthelezi and Sanele Nohamba.
The Sharks have been hit by a number of high profile injuries even before what’s left of the 2020 rugby season kicks off. Aphelele Fassi picked up a shoulder injury during training last week and will be out of action for at least 3 months after undergoing surgery. Really sad news as many of us were really looking forward to again seeing Fassi ghosting through defenses.
Since the match between the Sharks and Stormers in March, I had to watch a couple of Super Rugby Aotearoa games (high quality games) and even had to resort to watching some Super Rugby AU games (perhaps I chose the wrong games but mostly error ridden affairs). Monster tackles, physical games with teams giving no quarter, great attacking moves – rugby to appreciate. However one element was missing – the tension in the pit of your stomach while edging (more like screaming) YOUR team on defending their slim lead while the other team is camped on their try line. I miss the elation after winning a crucial match and even the physical pain after losing. Watching rugby as a neutral is more of an intellectual exercise – you can appreciate the great play, but in the end it means nothing to YOU personally.
The Sharks are getting ready to resume training but supporters will still have to wait a while before seeing our team on a rugby field.
At least there will be some live rugby (with crowds) on TV this weekend. Super Rugby Aotearoa kicks off with the 5 Kiwi franchises playing each other home and away. Whoever tops the log at the end of the tournament wins!
In other news:
Louis Schreuder is reported to have been released from his contract and will be leaving the Sharks with immediate effect
