Coach JPP has selected 19 year old Blitzbok Luan Giliomee at fullback against Munster. He has kept big guns Ox Nche and Vincent Koch on the bench. Grant Williams will partner Jordan Hendrikse with Ethan Hooker next to Andre Esterhuizen in the midfield. Overall it is a pretty decent team – can they gel on attack and defense?
(more…)Mapimpi is back to face the Bulls with Jaco Williams (no Aphelele Fassi) at 15. Jurenzo Julius (no Ethan Hooker) is partnering Andre Esterhuizen in a new centre combination.
Ox Nche and Vincent Koch will add some needed scrum power for the Sharks but Bongi Mbonambi is also still missing. Tino Mavesere, Vincent Tshituka and Phepsi Buthelezi forms a decent loose trio.
(more…)The Sharks will take on the Lions at Ellis Park without a number of Bok players (e.g. Ox, Bongi, Siya, Grant, Andre, Ethan) due to rest protocols. Edwill van der Merwe and Aphelele Fassi will start with Vincent Koch on the bench. Thomas Dyer will get his second start for the Sharks at the back of the scrum. Interestingly Jurenzo Julius has been selected at inside centre and Francois Venter at outside.
(more…)JPP has been able to select close to his strongest squad for the rematch against the Stormers at Kings Park. Fez Mbatha is back playing between Ox Nche and Hanro Jacobs. Jason Jenkins moves to the bench with Corne Rahl starting. Phepsi starts in the number 8 jersey along Vincent Tshituka and Siya Kolisi. Grant Williams and Jaden Hendrikse swap jerseys this week with Edwill van der Merwe making his return to the team.
(more…)JPP has selected some of his best players on the bench (e.g. Ox, Vincent Tshituka, Grant Williams, Siya Kolisi). Phepsi has been selected at 6 whereas IMO he is our best 8. Jaco Williams gets another opportunity at 11 with Yaw Penxe / PK Sobahle bracketed for the other wing.
(more…)Ox Nche is back to strengthen the Sharks scrum after surviving a hammering by the Bulls scrum two weeks ago. Likewise Aphelele Fassi makes a welcome return to the 15 jersey (Hakeem Kunene had a very good game against the Bulls). Phepsi drops to the bench with Manu Tshituka coming back into the team.
(more…)Coach JPP has gone for continuity with two changes – Hakeem Kunene coming on for Aphelele Fassi (concussion) and Jordan Hendrikse starting with George Whitehead dropping to the bench.
(more…)The Sharks have roped in George Whitehead from the Griquas to play at 10. Matt Ramao will make his URC debut. The Sharks have Edwill van der Merwe and Makazole Mapimpi on the wing with Grant Williams on the bench. Jason Jenkins and Martin Orie makes up a very decent lock combination with Hanro Jacobs making a welcome return to the front row.
(more…)Plum should thank Rassie, because all the Boks will still be available for the Sharks this weekend before departing to the UK. Hopefully the players will show a bit more cohesion.
A few minor changes have been made to the starting team with Phepsi dropping to the bench and Manu Tshituka starting. Mapimpi has copped a 5 week ban for his tip tackle – so Edwill takes his jersey with Jordan Hendrikse moving to full back. Jurenzo Julius drops to the bench and Lukhanyo Am starts in his spot.
(more…)Plum has selected all of his available Boks for the game against Ulster. This team can be very competitive at home depending on how long they take to gel. The Sharks scrum was pretty dominant against Leinster (although it took a while for the ref to agree) – this week the scrum should even be a lot better. The Bok end of year tour starts on 1 November against Japan in London – so this will most likely be the only chance for Plum to use his Boks until December / January.
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