Ox, Vincent (both from the bench) and Eben will all strengthen the pack for the Sharks this Saturday. I am not a fan of Phepsi at openside – not sure if James Venter is out injured. George Cronje gets another start at 8 and need to start showing the form that made the Sharks buying him from Free State.
(more…)The Sharks have confirmed that Andre Esterhuizen, Trevor Nyakane and Jason Jenkins have all signed to move to the Sharks. This should strengthen the Sharks squad. However the coaching staff will still have to find a way to build up their second tier players (as the Bulls and Stormers have managed).
So far Werner Kok (to Ulster), Le Roux Roets (to Sale Sharks) and Rohan Janse van Rensburg (already moved to Canon Eagles) have confirmed they will leave the Sharks. No confirmation on Boeta Chamberlain yet.
The Sharks travel to Johannesburg pretty much playing for pride, practicing for the Challenge Cup and giving more game time to youngsters. Ntuthuko Mchunu have the big boots of Ox Nche to fill to keep the scrum up along with Bongi and Coenie Oosthuizen. Jaden Hendrikse, Lukhanyo Am and Makazole Mapimpi are all rested – not sure why Am and Mapimpi who missed a number of games due to injuries at the World Cup need rest at this stage.
(more…)The Sharks have lost Eben Etzebeth due to a knee injury, but are welcoming back Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Tshituka on the bench. Plum has selected a fairly strong pack and his most experienced back line.
Siya Masuku will likely make his debut for the Sharks in the second half, with Bradley Davids coming in for Grant Williams.
(more…)Dave Williams (or Neil Powell) has made just two rotational changes to the starting lineup – James Venter and Jaden Hendrikse swaps with Tinotenda Mavesere and Grant Williams. However Dan Jooste, Coenie Oosthuizen, Le Roux Roets, Lionel Cronje and Rohan Janse van Rensburg all move onto the bench. Eben Etzebeth is rested for this match. On that topic hopefully this plus the following three weeks counts towards Eben’s mandatory break.
(more…)Teams like the Lions (9 log points) and Ospreys (9 log points) have already qualified for the round of 16, but no-one in Pool 1 (even Sharks with 12 log points and Cheetahs with 9 log points) have yet qualified.
(more…)Plum has kept the same back line, but has made some changes in the pack with Corne Rahl swapping with Eben Etzebeth. Tino Masevere gets his first start in an international competition with Diego Appollis and Eduan Keyter likely making their debuts in the second half. Khwezi Mona comes onto the bench in place of Joel Hintz (who has looked very uncomfortable in the last two games).
(more…)Plum has made some rotational changes to the team that played in Cape Town. Fez Mbatha starts at hooker alongside Hanro Jacobs. Gerbrandt Grobler gets a start in the 5 jersey and Grant Williams and Jaden Hendrikse swaps places. Rohan jVR is back on the bench.
(more…)Emile van Heerden will again feature at 5 lock with Lappies Labuschagne adding some beef to the loose trio with Phepsi moving to the back of the scrum. Jaden Hendrikse swaps with Grant Williams with the rest of the backline remaining the same as the one that lost against the Cheetahs.
(more…)Plum has shuffled his team around after the hiding the Sharks received in Loftus. Ox Nche will start along with Kerron van Vuuren. Corne Rahl replaces Emile van Heerden and may have to compete in the lineouts against the wily Sam Whitelock who joined Pau after the World Cup.
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