The Hollywoodbets Sharks selected the strongest available team to play against Ulster at Kingspan Stadium on Saturday and will be looking for nothing less than a victory in their last away game before the Vodacom United Rugby Championship play-offs.
(more…)For the first time in six months John Plumtree was able to select his strongest possible side to face Edinburgh in Scotland on Friday evening.
(more…)A very strong touring squad was selected to face Edinburgh on Friday night (20h35) in Scotland and Ulster Saturday 26 April (at 20h35) in Ireland, before returning home for their last two group games.
(more…)Plum has rested most of his regular starters for the game against Lyon. Siya Masuku, Andre Esterhuizen, Francois Venter and Yaw Penxe will start with Emile van Heerden and Jurenzo Julius playing from the bench. Gerbrand Grobler is back from injury with Tino Masevere getting another opportunity. Nick Hatton will captain the team from 8.
(more…)Plum has made a few changes to the team that squeaked through against Zebre last week. James Venter starts at open side, Andre Esterhuizen starts at 12 with Ethan Hooker moving to 14 and Yaw Penxe to 15. Fortunately Siya Masuku is on the bench this week – so I expect to see him at 10 later in the game with Jordan moving back to 15.
(more…)Eben Etzebeth has still not been cleared to play (Lambie situation developing here?), but the Sharks have welcomed back Vincent Tshituka and Makazole Mapimpi in the starting team plus Andre Esterhuizen from the bench. Unfortunately Grant Williams is out injured – so Jaden Hendrikse will start next to his brother with Bradley Davids on the bench.
(more…)The Sharks still have a chance to win the SA Shield (as pointed out by QuickDraw wins are considered ahead of points difference – so the Sharks just need a win)- that is if they could be bothered to show up (mentally) on Saturday.
Ox Nche, Vincent Kock, Emile van Heerden and Siya Kolisi should add some power to the pack. Henry Immelman will make his Sharks URC debut at fullback in place of Jordan Hendrikse who moves to flyhalf (Siya Masuke injured).
(more…)The Sharks will welcome back Jaden Hendrikse, Vincent Koch and Siya Kolisi, but unfortunately there is still no sign of the other big guns such as Andre Esterhuizen, Eben Etzebeth (must be a serious worry for Rassie by now) and Ox Nche.
(more…)The Sharks will be missing 7 Boks when taking on the Bulls at Loftus on Saturday. I am not exactly sure why Jaden Hendrikse needs a rest as he has not really played a lot over the last year.
I am especially concerned for the scrums where Wilco Louw and Gerhard Steenkamp have been destroying opposition scrums at will. Ntuthuko Mchunu has improved of late but he and Trevor is going to have a real tough battle.
(more…)The Sharks have now also lost Vincent Koch, Jordan Hendrikse and Makazole Mapimpi due to failing HIA tests. This is partially offset by James Venter, Grant Williams and Lukhanyo Am returning to the squad. Eben is unfortunately still not available.
It is going to be a tough two weeks for the Sharks. The players need to keep showing the commitment they have so far but the decision making needs to improve drastically. Some of the tactics also need a bit of a rethink.
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