Even though the big Sharks game on Saturday is the URC quarter-final at 13:45, there will also be a Currie Cup game at Kings Park at 17:00. The Sharks will face a strong Lions team (free to use all of their URC players) with 5 uncapped players in the squad (including the two hookers).
With only 2 log points ahead of the Pumas the Sharks need to win this game (or hope the Cheetahs beat the Pumas by more than 7 and prevent them from scoring 4 tries).
(more…)The Sharks will have play maker Lukhanyo Am back at outside center while hard working Ruben van Heerden starts in the number 4 jersey. Le Roux Roets who provides a lot of bulk and go forward to the Sharks pack is not in the mix – I can only assume he is out injured. Likewise fiery Gerbrand Grobler will also be missed.
I am worried that the Sharks will be rusty due to the bulk of the squad not playing rugby for 3 weeks. If the Sharks can pull of a win they will be guaranteed a home quarter final.
(more…)Etienne Fynn has made wholesale changes to last week’s pack and one change in the back line. Khwezi Mona, Fez Mbatha and Lourens Adriaanse will start this week, Emile van Heerden replaces Ruben van Heerden and Dylan Richardson, Thembelani Bholi and Mpilo Gumede start in the back row. Murray Koster is back at inside centre.
Junior Bok Blaine Golden will most likely get a first CC cap later in the game along with Nick Hatton.
(more…)New signing Nevaldo Fleurs who just over a week ago featured for Maties in the Varsity Cup final will start at fullback against the Pumas on Friday night.
It is good to see URC bench players like Kerron van Vuuren, Sikhumbuzo Notshe and especially Boeta Chaimberlain get some game time before the business end of the competition. Zee Mkhabela may make a Currie Cup debut at nine later in the game.
In other news the signing of centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg has been confirmed.
(more…)Sean Everitt has picked an unchanged side for the game against Connacht. The Sharks should be safe for a quarter final, but now it is all to play for the final position in the top 8 in order to play the QF at home.
The Sharks showed some very positive progress in the game against Leinster (good to see Bosch and Fassi counter-attacking again), but they do need to work on their discipline. Too often the team let up the pressure by giving away silly penalties at crucial times.
(more…)Sean Everitt has selected a almost unchanged team against Leinster. Aphelele Fassi starts at full back and Le Roux Roets and Reniel Hugo swap places between the starting team and bench.
(more…)Siya Kolisi and Henco Venter will regain their jerseys for the match against the Lions while Reniel Hugo starts in the 5 lock position and Le Roux Roets moves back to the bench. No changes have been made to the backline.
The Sharks will do well not to underestimate the Lions who have recently managed to put away top 5 teams Munster and Edinburgh.
(more…)Etienne Fynn has selected a pretty strong pack to play in Kimberley on Wednesday. Ruben van Heerden makes a welcome return for the Sharks after a number of weeks out of action. The Sharks have selected two ball hunters in the loose trio with two more traditional blind side flanks on the bench.
(more…)Sean Everitt has made 4 changes in the pack (likely to rest some players) but only 2 in the misfiring Sharks back line. Le Roux Roets, James Venter, Jeandre Labushagne and Phepsi Buthelezi will all start in the forwards while Jaden Hendrikse and Jeremy Ward will start in 9 and 12 respectively.
(more…)Aphelele Fassi is still out injured but the Sharks will welcome back Ox Nche. Anthony Volmink takes over the fullback position after not having featured in any Sharks team for weeks.
Having doing well to manage bonus points against below strength Benetton and Scarlets teams (due to Six Nations call-ups) and the bottom dwelling Zebre team, the Sharks will face a full strength Edinburgh team featuring the likes of Hamish Watson.
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