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 had made two changes to the starting team – Werner Kok is back at wing and Le Roux Roets starts in the 5 jersey. It should make any front row happy knowing that Etzebeth and Roets are providing the go forward behind them.
(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.
(more…)Hard grafting Werner Kok has suffered a hamstring niggle and is replaced by Aphiwe Dyantyi. Apart from that injury enforced change, Plum has selected exactly the same team as last week.
(more…)Plum has hauled out the big artillery for the game against the Dragons. Eben Etzebeth and Ox Nche (from the bench) will add some much needed muscle in the pack while Jaden Hendrikse and Grant Williams (from the bench) will hopefully add some starting zip to the attack (Cam Wright actually did a pretty decent holding job in the mean time). Makazole Mapimpi should improve the finishing of opportunities.
(more…)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.
(more…)Lukhanyo Am moves straight back to his 13 position, but none of the other fit Sharks Boks (Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch have knee injuries and Ox and Eben had heavy workloads) have been drafted back into the team. Tino Mavesere may feature of the bench later in the game.
(more…)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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