Category: Sharks

Will the Bok cavalry save the Sharks?

The bad news is that Bongi Mbonambi is expected to be out for 6 months and Vincent Koch for around 3 months. The only other two Boks what will bolster the pack at some point will be Ox Nche and Eben Etzebeth. The remaining Boks that can add zip to the back line is Jaden Hendrikse, Grant Williams and Makazole Mapimpi. That is the makeup of the available cavalry unfortunately. There are a number of players out injured that can certainly add value to the squad.

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Boeta starts against Zebre

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.

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Two young locks vs Leinster

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.

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Team for Munster

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.

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Plum selects Venter to lead the Sharks

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.

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