John Plumtree sprang a few surprises when naming his side for the clash with the DHL Stormers this coming weekend.

Sharksrugby

The Sharks have been bolstered by the inclusion of flank Jean Deysel who will be making his much-anticipated return from injury having been named on the bench for Saturday’s away Vodacom Super Rugby clash with the Stormers in Cape Town.

In changes from last week’s side, Keegan Daniel starts for Jacques Botes who went over on his ankle against the Hurricanes last week at Mr Price KINGS PARK. Botes will be rested and this opens the door for Deysel who has been returning to match fitness for The Sharks XV after a lengthy spell on the side lines.

Jannie du Plessis and Eugene van Staden swap positions while brother Bismarck returns to the side and will play off the bench following the shoulder injury that kept him out of last Saturday’s game with Captain John Smit playing at hooker.

In the final change, Odwa Ndungane returns after playing off the bench, with Lwazi Mvovo named amongst the replacements, joined by lock Alistair Hargreaves who is over the injury that kept him out of action for two matches.

“We’re looking forward to this game and I’m sure they’re looking forward to having us,” said coach John Plumtree. “I’m sure everyone is looking forward to watching it. It’s one of those contests between two sides who are both going well right now.”

Having lost to the Stormers in the first round match, Plumtree added that lessons were learned out of that clash. “You get more lessons out of a loss than a win. We had a pretty good look at that and there are things that have to change and the way we play, and we’ll have to implement those strategies.”

With the squad in good shape both in terms of individual player form and health, Plumtree added that he had some nice selection headaches. “It’s great when everyone is fit, it means I have some choices. When I get into a situation where everyone is playing really well, and my bench is strong, then that’s where we are strong as a group.”

The Stormers meanwhile have named their side but are still sweating on Peter Grant who has been bracketed in with Lionel Cronje at flyhalf, but faces a test on an injured knee and will be given as late as possible to prove his fitness. Should he drop out of the match 22, it will be a reversal in flyhalf fortunes for the two teams, as Grant played in the first round match when Patrick Lambie was injured. Lambie is now back but Plumtree admitted that whether Grant plays or not, the focus for The Sharks is getting their own game right.

“To be honest, our concern is for what we’re going to do, not what they’re going to do or who they play. They know us, we know them and if they have problems with a player, well, that’s theirs to deal with; we‘ll be focussing on what we want to achieve.

“That’s certainly been a big part of our planning this week.”

The Sharks:

1. Tendai Mtawarira
2. John Smit (Captain)
3. Jannie du Plessis
4. Steven Sykes
5. Ross Skeate
6. Keegan Daniel
7. Willem Alberts
8. Ryan Kankowski
9. Charl McLeod
10. Patrick Lambie
11. JP Pietersen
12. Meyer Bosman
13. Stefan Terblanche
14. Odwa Ndungane
15. Louis Ludik

Replacements:
16. Bismarck du Plessis
17. Eugene van Staden
18. Alistair Hargreaves
19. Jean Deysel
20. Conrad Hoffmann
21. Adrian Jacobs
22. Lwazi Mvovo