Rassie has made minor changes to the team that walloped the All Blacks in Wellington. Damian Willemse moves to full back, Damian de Allende starts at inside centre, Eben Etzebeth replaces the injured Lood de Jager. Jan-Hendrik Wessels move to cover hooker, Boan Venter comes onto the bench. Morne van den Berg replaces Grant Williams (out with a niggle) as scrumhalf cover.
(more…)The Sharks touring squad for the first three URC games has been announced. Due to injuries the squad will be without 5 locks (Coetzee le Roux, Corne Rahl, Emile van Heerden, Gideon Koegelenberg and Jason Jenkins) and 2 flyhalves (Jordan Hendrikse and Siya Masuku). Additionally Eben Etzebeth (along with Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Vincent Kock, Siya Kolisi, Grant Williams, Ethan Hooker, Makazole Mapimpi and Andre Esterhuizen) is with the Boks. Fortunately the Sharks have the services of Marvin Orie with Bathobele Hlekani and Vincent Tshituka who can also fill in at lock. Jean Smith is the only recognized flyhalf in that squad although Jaden Hendrikse can also fill in there.
The Sharks will face Glasgow (26 September), Dragons (3 October) and Leinster (11 October). Tough tour coming up.
(more…)The Sharks will play the Stormers in George on Friday night. Hlekani will partner Jason Jenkins at lock with Jaden and Siya running the back line. Lukhanyo Am starts at 13. It is great to see Edwill van der Merwe on the bench but I have a feeling he will be called up to the Boks when they return from New Zealand. Ross Braude recently from the Pumas is a new face for the Sharks on the bench.
(more…)Rassie has released his team for the crucial test in Wellington, and has thrown caution to the wind. Pollard, le Roux, de Allende, Kriel, van Staden (Kolisi a tad lucky) and Eben (possibly niggle) drop out of the squad. Grant Williams who had an error prone game although behind a losing breakdown drops to the bench. The backline has been completely rejigged = Reinach, Wunderkind, Hooker, Willemse, Moodie, Kolbe and Fassi.
(more…)JPP has selected a strong but likely undercooked team for the clash against the Pumas. Fez Mbatha, Emile van Heerden, Manu Tshituka, Vincent Tshituka, Phepsi Buthelezi, Jaden Hendrikse, Francois Venter and Yaw Penxe will see their first game in the Currie Cup. The Pumas still have a chance to reach the semi-finals whereas the Sharks can at best end up at 6th position on the log.
(more…)Ethan Hooker is making the most of his call up to the Boks and may feature later in the game from the bench. Canan Moodie is lucky to retain the 14 jersey after two poor performances against Australia (Hooker must be pushing hard for that). He is a talent but needs to rediscover the form from when he burst on the scene.
(more…)Siya Masuku will bring plenty of experience to the Sharks team for the game against Boland. Jacques Marais and Mawande Mdanda will start in the front row. Paschal Ekeji and Albie Bester will start at 11 and 12. Jannes Potgieter swaps with Bathobele Hlekani and moves to the starting team.
(more…)Coach JPP made 7 changes to the team that managed to win the first half against the Griquas in Kimberley. Jean Smith comes in at flyhalf, Jaco Williams moves to wing and Hakeem Kunene is back at 15. Liam van Wyk replaces Bryce Calvert at hooker with Tino Mavesere back at open side. Coetzee Le Roux is back at lock.
(more…)Rassie has made major changes to the side that got walloped by the Wallabies at Ellis Park. Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe and HandrĂ© Pollard start in the back line, with Jean-Luc du Preez, Franco Mostert, Ruan Nortje, RG Snyman and Thomas du Toit starting in the pack. Marnus van der Merwe comes onto the bench with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu covering a number of back line positions.
(more…)JPP has picked Bathobele Hlekani (back from training with the Boks) to start against the Griquas in Kimberley. Unfortunately he will be moving to the Lions when his contract expires in December. Matt Romao (who really impressed last week) moves to the open side flank, while Deon Slabbert replaces Corne Rahl. Ceano Everson will join Vusi Moyo while we have two new wings this week – Paschal Ekeji and Christie Grobbelaar. I am really happy to see Jaco Williams retained at full back.
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