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.
(more…)Bongi is back to strengthen the Sharks pack but unfortunately Eben has not been declared fit. Vincent Tshituka has at least been selected on the bench to add some grunt later in the game.
(more…)Jordan Hendrikse will start against Wales next to his brother. Rassie has kept the rest of the backline that played against England. Bongi and PSDT are rested. Jean Kleyn and Franco Mostert starts with Eben and RG moving to the bench. Johan Grobbelaar will get another start at hooker.
(more…)Rassie has dropped Thomas du Toit, Franco Mostert, Marco van Staden, Jaden Hendrikse, Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie, Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen and Makazole Mapimpi. Wilco Louw will start at tight head with a number of players dropping to the bench and a rested (but probably rusty) back line outside of Grant Williams.
(more…)Rassie has decided to rest a number of his first choice players against Scotland (De Allende, Kriel, Kolbe, KLA and Fassi) and has benched a further three (PSDT, Kolisi and Wiese). The plan is clear to bludgeon Scotland up front as Grant Williams is the sole back on the bench also loaded with Marx, Steenekamp, Koch and RG Snyman
(more…)The Boks will depart this coming Sunday for a training camp in Jersey to prepare for the upcoming tests against Scotland, England and Wales. Hopefully the Shark Boks will be available for the game against Munster this Saturday.
(more…)Plum has selected all the available Boks for the game against the Warriors on Saturday. Siya Kolisi makes a return to the Sharks but interestingly Eben Etzebeth will captain the team. Jordan Hendrikse moves to flyhalf with Siya Masuku demoted to the bench. Grant Williams makes a welcome return to the bench.
(more…)Rassie has picked Manie Libbok to start at flyhalf with Jaden Hendrikse at scrumhalf. Big guns Cheslin Kolbe, Damian de Allende, Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi, Frans Malherbe and Bongi Mbonambi have all been recalled to the starting lineup.
Cobus Reinach and Handre Pollard will offer a lot of experience from the bench.
(more…)Rassie has rested a number of his first choice players such as PSDT, Cheslin Kolbe, Damian de Allende, Willie le Roux, Frans Malherbe and Bongi Mbonambi. This means players like Aphelele Fassi gets another chance to shine in the Bok jersey.
(more…)Coach Plumtree has selected more URC players to the Currie Cup team. The Sharks will end up third on the log regardless of the result and will play the Bulls at Loftus in the semi final next week. So the match is really a chance for some more players to get some match time. Due to injuries to e.g. Andre Esterhuizen and Eduan Keyter this will be a chance for youngsters like Jurenzo Julius and Litelihle Bester to show that they should be part of the URC squad that will travel to Europe towards the end of the month.
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