I assume that JPP is saving his first choice players for the home game against Clermont next week. He has selected a B-team for the game against Sales Sharks. The Sharks franchise is taking this match so seriously that there is on early Friday evening still no team announcement on the official site. All that can be said is that the Sharks will do well to keep the score within 15.
(more…)Ox Nche is back to strengthen the Sharks scrum after surviving a hammering by the Bulls scrum two weeks ago. Likewise Aphelele Fassi makes a welcome return to the 15 jersey (Hakeem Kunene had a very good game against the Bulls). Phepsi drops to the bench with Manu Tshituka coming back into the team.
(more…)Coach JPP has gone for continuity with two changes – Hakeem Kunene coming on for Aphelele Fassi (concussion) and Jordan Hendrikse starting with George Whitehead dropping to the bench.
(more…)JPP has selected a pretty strong team (on paper) for the game against Saracens. The backline is filled with attacking players – the challenge will be to get them to gel. Interestingly he has chosen Andre Esterhuizen to captain the side. I am really looking forward to seeing the combo of Andre and Ethan in action.
The pack should also be competitive with Bongi anchoring Jacobs and Ganyane, a decent lock pairing and a strong back row in Phepsi, Siya and Vincent. Hopefully Emile van Heerden’s luck will hold this time and he can actually finish a game without injury.
(more…)The Sharks have selected a team with a number of key players rested. Against a team like Toulouse this will result in a mismatch equivalent to Wales vs the Boks. Really nothing more to say about this game.
(more…)The Sharks have roped in George Whitehead from the Griquas to play at 10. Matt Ramao will make his URC debut. The Sharks have Edwill van der Merwe and Makazole Mapimpi on the wing with Grant Williams on the bench. Jason Jenkins and Martin Orie makes up a very decent lock combination with Hanro Jacobs making a welcome return to the front row.
(more…)Rassie has gone for a 7-1 split against Wales using almost all of the 25 players he had left. Apparently Duane Vermeulen is on standby in case on any injuries.
This is really a match that should have never been scheduled. Wales is without 13 front line players and the Boks should really rather been with their franchises playing in the URC.
(more…)Rassie has picked almost the same team that beat the French in Paris. Kurt Lee Arendse is out with concussion so Rassie has gone for Canan Moodie as replacement wing. Ruan Nortje starts at unlucky 5 with Kwagga coming onto the bench. Andre Esterhuizen seems to be a permanent fixture in this team as the very useful hybrid replacement.
(more…)Rassie has made wholesale changes for the test against Italy. Ethan Hooker will feature at 12 next to Canan Moodie. Handre Pollard and Morne van den Berg will get a start after carrying tackle bags for quite some time. Marco van Staden will start at 8 and act as reserve hooker. Zachary Porthen gets another start for the Boks with the big guns Steenekamp and Louw providing cover on the bench. Andre Esterhuizen has again been selected in his hybrid role.
(more…)Rassie has picked a very strong team for what should be the match of the year. The French has been really hurt by the close loss in the World Cup quarter final and based on all the talk will be out for serious revenge. The Boks will likely face a pretty hostile crowd as well.
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