Author: admin

Sharks United Rugby Championship

Boeta starts against Zebre

By admin 59

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…)
Sharks United Rugby Championship

Two young locks vs Leinster

By admin 21

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…)
Springboks

7-1 for the final

By admin 2

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…)
Sharks United Rugby Championship

Team for Munster

By admin 50

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…)
Springboks

No underestimating England

By admin 7

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…)
Sharks United Rugby Championship

Plum selects Venter to lead the Sharks

By admin 2

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…)
Springboks

Pollard starts against Tonga

By admin 42

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…)
Springboks

7-1 for Ireland

By admin 29

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.

(more…)
Springboks

4 Scrumhalves for Romania

By admin 6

Rienaber has selected all 4 scumhalves in the squad for the game against Romania. Grant Williams starts at wing with Faf covering the flyhalf position from the bench. Manie Libbok is rested with Damian Willemse running the back line. Bongi Mbonambi captains the side with Deon Fourie covering from the bench.

(more…)
Springboks

De Allende back for Scots

By admin 34

Canan Moodie and Jean Kleyn were not selected for the Boks’ crucial first WC game on Sunday due to niggles. Rienaber has reverted to De Allende at inside centre, Cheslin Kolbe switches 11 and Jasper Wiese starts at 8. Clearly the plan is to have the old heads of Duane Vermeulen and Willie le Roux on the bench to help close the game out.

(more…)