The Sharks have finally been able to call on their big guns in the URC after being unavailable since the end of January. I expect the team will be a bit rusty initially with the powerful Sharks pack hopefully stamping their authority on the game later in the first half.
Neil Powell has been able to select pretty much all his first choice players with Emile van Heerden preferred over Gerbrandt Grobler who will play from the bench.
(more…)Fred Zeilinga will start a Currie Cup game for the Sharks after an absence of at least 4 years. Reniel Hugo and Hyron Andrews are back at locks (would have liked to see more of Ockie Barnard). Likewise Hanro Jacobs will start at tight head in place of Carlu Sadie. A strong loose trio including the two Venters and Dylan Richardson completes the pack.
(more…)Joey Mongalo has selected a pretty strong starting front row which includes Carlu Sadie. Likewise the bench includes the likes of Dian Bleuler and Khutha Mchunu.
Thembelani Bholi and Celimpilo Gumede offers experience at lock and eight man with a number of youngsters making up the rest of the pack.
(more…)I was under the impression that the Sharks would have their Boks available for the away game against the Stormers (rested for February) but alas not. Neil Powell has made a number of changes regardless.
(more…)The Sharks will have none of their Boks (Ox Nche was particularly industrious in Scotland) available for the home game against the Stormers. That means Ntuthuko Mchunu and Carlü Sadie will start in the front row with Dian Bleuler and Hanro Jacobs on the bench. Likewise Cam Wright (who had a very good game except for the decision to box kick with 25 seconds left on the clock) will start at 9 with Bradley Davids on the bench.
(more…)Due to the Sharks crazy travel schedule (was this not supposed to be better than Super Rugby?) Neil Powell has decided to keep most of his first choice players at home to prepare for the home game against Bordeaux. The team that will face Connacht has a sprinkling of A level players like Ntuthuko Mchunu, Carlü Sadie, Henco Venter, Rohan Janse van Rensburg and Grant Williams but also includes 3 debutantes on the bench as well as a number of players who has not played for a while.
(more…)Neil Powell has rested a number of players for the home game against the Lions – Eben Etzebeth, Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu and Francois Venter. Siya Kolisi and Ben Tapuai will feature from the bench.
(more…)The Sharks will welcome back Lukhanyo Am for their away game against Bordeaux. Neil Powell has selected mostly the same starting team with Ntuthuko Mchunu in for Ox Nche and Thomas du Toit replacing Carlu Sadie (who drops out completely). Dian Bleuer and Hanro Jacobs will get another opportunity from the bench.
The Sharks need to improve on the good work from their last game, and focus on retaining the ball for longer as well as keeping their shape on attack after a number of phases. With the same back line selected we should expect to see an improvement in first phase moves as well.
(more…)Big guns Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi have been selected to face Harlequins in the Sharks’ first Champions Cup game. Vincent Tshituka moves back to blindside flank while Werner Kok is back on the wing.
The Sharks really need to focus on keeping the ball in contact (no point making meters with the ball just to cough it up at the final tackle / ruck) and finding some continuity on attack (players need to work a lot harder to get into positions after 2nd / 3rd phases).
The bookies have the Sharks as slight favourites. With the best rugby player in the world (regardless of what WR says) and the inspirational Bok captain on the field the Sharks may just have a decent chance of winning this one.
1. Ox Nche
2. Bongi Mbonambi
3. Carlu Sadie
4. Eben Etzebeth
5. Gerbrandt Grobler
6. Siya Kolisi (c)
7. Vincent Tshituka
8. Phepsi Buthelezi
9. Jaden Hendrikse
10. Curwin Bosch
11. Makazole Mapimpi
12. Ben Tapuai
13. Francois Venter
14. Werner Kok
15. Boeta Chamberlain
Replacements
16. Dan Jooste
17. Ntuthuko Mchunu
18. Khutha Mchunu
19. Hyron Andrews
20. Sikhumbuzo Notshe
21. Grant Williams
22. Lionel Cronje
23. Rohan Janse van Rensburg
Neil Powell has drafted a number of Boks to assist the struggling Sharks as well as starting Curwin Bosch at 10 after months of layoff. Vincent Tshituka at 4 lock and Sikhumbuzo Noshe at 6 flank are interesting selections. Ben Tapuai will add some experience and direction to the back line.
(more…)