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.
(more…)This is the statement from the Shark on John Plumtree’s future at the franchise:
(more…)Rassie is continuing his quest to build Bok depth by giving rookie Zachary Porthen a start against Japan. An injury to Damian Willemse results in Cheslin Kolbe being moved to 15 with Ethan Hooker moving over to the 14 jersey. Franco Mostert gets another chance in place of the rested PSDT and likewise RG Snyman will partner Lood de Jager. Andre Esterhuizen has been selected in the 20 jersey showing that the hybrid experiment will continue.
(more…)Plum should thank Rassie, because all the Boks will still be available for the Sharks this weekend before departing to the UK. Hopefully the players will show a bit more cohesion.
A few minor changes have been made to the starting team with Phepsi dropping to the bench and Manu Tshituka starting. Mapimpi has copped a 5 week ban for his tip tackle – so Edwill takes his jersey with Jordan Hendrikse moving to full back. Jurenzo Julius drops to the bench and Lukhanyo Am starts in his spot.
(more…)Plum has selected all of his available Boks for the game against Ulster. This team can be very competitive at home depending on how long they take to gel. The Sharks scrum was pretty dominant against Leinster (although it took a while for the ref to agree) – this week the scrum should even be a lot better. The Bok end of year tour starts on 1 November against Japan in London – so this will most likely be the only chance for Plum to use his Boks until December / January.
(more…)Seeing as Ethan Hooker, Makazole Mapimpi, Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch were already in the UK with the Boks, Plum has called up some of the Sharks Boks. Siya Masuku is also returning to the bench.
I assume Siya Kolisi, Ox Nche and Eben Etzebeth are all rested, but not sure why Grant Williams is also not available.
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