Plum has hauled out the big artillery for the game against the Dragons. Eben Etzebeth and Ox Nche (from the bench) will add some much needed muscle in the pack while Jaden Hendrikse and Grant Williams (from the bench) will hopefully add some starting zip to the attack (Cam Wright actually did a pretty decent holding job in the mean time). Makazole Mapimpi should improve the finishing of opportunities.
(more…)Lukhanyo Am moves straight back to his 13 position, but none of the other fit Sharks Boks (Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch have knee injuries and Ox and Eben had heavy workloads) have been drafted back into the team. Tino Mavesere may feature of the bench later in the game.
(more…)The Sharks will be desperate to finish their tour with a win. They will have to make a major improvement in their handling, decision making and work rate. The Sharks just could not get any momentum as each time a silly error just handed over possession to the opposition.
Curwin Bosch is out injured so Boeta Chamberlain will get an opportunity to run the back line. Dan Jooste is back on the bench and Lionel Cronje (what happened to Jordan Hendrikse and Siya Masuku?) may make an appearance later in the game.
(more…)Reniel Hugo picked up a shoulder injury early in the game against Munster and Hyron Andrews has been called up in his place. Corne Rahl will start along Emile van Heerden. Plum has made a number of positional changes – Phepsi moves back to 9 with Tshituka starting at 7. Francois Venter moves to 13 and Rohan Janse van Rensburg starts at 12.
(more…)Rasnaber has selected a high risk team for the final against the All Blacks. Not only have they gone for a 7-1 bench split but there is only one scrumhalf and one decent place kicker in the squad. If this works out Rassie will go into the rugby annals as an utter genius.
(more…)The Sharks start their URC campaign with a tough game against Munster in Ireland. Emile van Heerden will partner Reniel Hugo in the second row while Phepsi Buthelezi has moved to blindside flank to make way for George Cronje. Murray Koster partners Francois Venter in midfield. Curwin Bosch will run the show from flyhalf while Boeta Chamberlain is retained at full back. Vincent Tshituka will cover lock with Sikhumbuzo Notshe covering the loose forwards.
(more…)Rasnaber has selected exactly the same team for the first time in the World Cup (and apparently only the second time since 2018). I was expecting players like Malherbe, Etzebeth and Vermeulen to have a break after a real challenging game against France.
England will come out storming and snorting but the Boks should still have too much ammo for the Roses to beat them. The Boks had a two week break before the France game (and many players three) so they should still be relatively fresh. It will be tough to fully get up mentally after that roller coaster last week, but playing most South Africans’ least favourite team will certainly motivate the Boks.
(more…)The Sharks play Munster in Ireland this Saturday and will be without their Boks for the 4 game tour of Ireland, Wales and Italy.
Aphiwe Dyantyi, George Cronje and Francois Hougaard will make their debuts for the Sharks. Blast from the past Coenie Oosthuizen will also feature in the squad. Reniel Hugo is the only experienced lock in the squad (Gerbrand Grobler suffered an injury in the pre-season) but it will be time for Corne Rahl and Emile van Heerden to shine at this level.
(more…)Rienaber has gone for a rare 5-3 split on the bench with both Handre Pollard and Manie Libbok in the squad. Bongi is rested with Deon Fourie and Marco van Staden selected at hooker.
Eben Etzebeth (risky IMO) starts along with Marvin Orie with Franco Mostert covering lock on the bench. Andre Esterhuizen and Canan Moodie will feature in midfield with Grant Williams again selected as wing.
(more…)Rienaber will be using the infamous 7-1 bench split against another top tier nation. Cobus Reinach will be the only back on the bench covering scrumhalf and wing. Clearly the plan is to use the 9 forwards to prevent Ireland from getting any momentum. The only way the wings will get the ball is if Ireland or Manie Libbok kicks it to them. It will be the pack taking it up, Faf passing to De Allende who will batter it up, rinse and repeat.
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