Herewith the two teams for this weekend’s Currie Cup Premier Division Final at Mr Price Kings Park, Durban.
DHL Western Province:
DHL Western Province head coach Allister Coetzee has named his team for Saturday’s 2012 Absa Currie Cup Final against the Sharks at Mr Price Kings Park in Durban (17:00 SA Time).
Coetzee has made just one change to the starting line-up that beat the Golden Lions 21-16 in last Saturday’s dramatic semifinal, with Damian de Allende and Marcel Brache trading places – De Allende starting in the No.12 jersey and Brache dropping to the bench for the final.
“They have got a powerful team and I think Marcel (Brache) will do a job off the bench and we will probably be needing his experience in the last couple of minutes of the game,” explained Coetzee.
“We have got to front up physically and I think Damien (de Allende) is the right choice.
“He is quite a good ball-carrier, he has got explosive pace, he is quite big and tall and he has got good core skills as well.”
Flank Deon Fourie will captain the team, with six Under-21 players in the matchday 22 and six Test Springboks and one Canadian international in the squad.
Western Province: 15 Gio Aplon, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Don Armand, 6 Deon Fourie (Captain), 5 De Kock Steenkamp, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Replacements: 16 Deon Carstens, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 19 Jebb Sinclair, 20 Louis Schreuder, 21 Marcel Brache, 22 Joe Pietersen.
The Sharks
The Sharks’ match day 22 to take on Western Province in the Absa Currie Cup Final on Saturday at Mr Price KINGS PARK features a mix of those who have done duty all season as well as returning Springboks.
In all, coach John Plumtree has selected eight current and recent Springboks in the starting line-up (add Craig Burden to that list as an unused member of the Springbok squad) with a further four named on the bench in a show of force from the Durban side.
It was a point of interest just how the returning Springboks would be reintegrated back into the competition at the conclusion of the Castle Rugby Championship, with the likes of Western Province and the Blue Bulls throwing all of theirs straight back into duty as they faced more pressure in the final rounds, while The Sharks had the luxury of being picky whilst rewarding the players who had taken The Sharks this far.
“The squad is all together now, we have been for a couple weeks, so there were fewer selection headaches for me,” Plumtree explains. “We do feel for the players that are left out, that makes it hard on those who went through the whole campaign. And might not be involved.”
He adds that there have been lessons learned from the past, although their situation did ease the pressure to play the Springboks where they might have been better coming back into the side slowly.
“Definitely, it was something we focussed on and made easier by the position we were in,” he points out. “With the format as it is, with six teams and relegation involved, the pressure was on those sides in that relegation zone to play their bigger names.”
For this match, Plumtree has retained the same backline from last week’s semi-final with rotational changes amongst the forwards. Willem Alberts starts with Jean Deysel replacing him on the bench while Steven Sykes returns for a start after his recovery from injury (which had him playing off the bench last week).
In the front row, Craig Burden switches with Kyle Cooper with Dale Chadwick the unfortunate one to miss out. Odwa Ndungane will add further experience off the bench after returning from injury.
With home ground advantage, The Sharks have been instilled as favourites, with Western Province themselves happy to take the underdog tag. “It’s a way of deflecting pressure away from themselves for them to call us the favourites,” Plumtree says. “They’ll have their own expectations and they will be coming here to win, I am not buying into that.
“They are good enough to be here at this point, we respect that and we will go full out at them and they will be doing the same with us.”
Sharks: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Tim Whitehead, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Keegan Daniel (Captain), 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Anton Bresler, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Craig Burden, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Wiehahn Herbst, 18 Jandre Marais, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Charl McLeod, 21 Meyer Bosman, 22 Odwa Ndungane.
Date: Saturday 27 October
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 17:00 SA Time (15:00 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant referees: Christie du Preez, Stefan Breytenbach
TMO: Johann Meuwesen
What is the “rule” about when teams must be posted?
1 @ Loosehead:
No idea, think it must be up at least 48 Hours prior to the game….
1 @ Loosehead:
Think until 5pm Thursday. Stay cool bud, you know my Sharks will only announce their team tomorrow…. 😛
Okay as I don’t know much about de Allende, just looked around some sites. From what I have got is this, not 100% sure now.
Height: around 1.90m
Weight: around 100km
Not sure about JdJ’s height or weight.
Here are Sharks Centres:
Jordaan
Height: 1.80m
Weight: 90kg
Tim
Height: 1.88m
Weight: 91kg
Bosman
Height: 1.92m
Weight: 104kg
JPP (Don’t be surprised Plum might play him at centre)
Height: 1.90m
Weight: 102kg
So we do have some big boys too at centre. However, it don’t matter much I think. When you think of Jordaan how he brought down MASSIVE players in the junior wc. Also look at Lambie he is weighing around 92kg and height around 1.80 (not too sure of height) but he can bring down huge big players. It is being in the right place and how well the player can tackle. If Jordaan and Tim start I am not worried. They both can tackle like demons, with Lambie there too he can tackle any player, not afraid and mostly gets his man down.
If JPP plays have no problem either, can bring down any player. One of our best at outside centre and wing. Bosman has played very, very well this CC too. Whether at centre or fh.
So we are covered at centre and most definitely at fh too.
Against the Chiefs at the tank it was Lambie and Tim that kept SBW in check there. Watched that game a few weeks back again. That was the only game I have seen SBW have a total shocker. So really height and weight at centre or fh does not matter (talking about the tackling now) it is being in position and the technique.
Sjoe … what an experience this is going to be for those youngsters … we’re not likely to win, but I hope they make it difficult for the Sharks!
5 @ kwaailight:
Could go either way Kwaailight. Think 50/50 right now who to take it.
Should be a cracking game if the weather is dry, though more rain forecast. Still will be a cracker. CC finals always are.
@ Puma:
Hehehe … 50/50?!?
Jy klink nou soosie Plum?
Our laaities are final-rookies … they can win, but no way are the odds 50/50 …. 🙂
7 @ kwaailight:
Well sommer giving you some hope ou pal……hehehe.
Serious you never know some rookies can do. They fearless, that is the danger… 🙂
Gbs, Here are Saru Player of the Year Nominees. Put it up as a thread.
SARU PLAYER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES:
Player of the Year:
1. Keegan Daniel
2. Eben Etzebeth
3. Bryan Habana
4. Pat Lambie
5. JP Pietersen
Young Player of the Year:
1. Marcell Coetzee
2. Eben Etzebeth
3. Johan Goosen
4. Elton Jantjies
5. Raymond Rhule
Team of the Year:
1. Eastern Province Kings (Currie Cup First Division)
2. The Sharks (Super Rugby)
3. The Sharks (Currie Cup)
4. South Africa U20 (IRB Junior World Championship)
5. Stormers (Super Rugby)
Coach of the Year:
1. Allister Coetzee (Stormers and Western Province)
2. Pote Human (Griquas)
3. John Plumtree (The Sharks)
4. Alan Solomons (EP Kings)
5. Dawie Theron (SA U20)
Super Rugby Player of the Year:
1. Marcell Coetzee (The Sharks)
2. Keegan Daniel (The Sharks)
3. Bismarck du Plessis (The Sharks)
4. Eben Etzebeth (Stormers)
5. JP Pietersen (The Sharks)
Currie Cup Premier Division Player of the Year:
1. Deon Fourie (Western Province)
2. JC Janse van Rensburg (Golden Lions)
3. Elton Jantjies (Golden Lions)
4. Louis Ludik (The Sharks)
5. Raymond Rhule (Free State Cheetahs)
Currie Cup First Division Player of the Year:
1. Hansie Graaff (Griffons)
2. JW Jonker (Pumas)
3. Rudi Mathee (Pumas)
4. Paul Perez (EP Kings)
5. Luke Watson (EP Kings)
Vodacom Cup Player of the Year:
1. Marcel Brache (Western Province)
2. Demetri Catrakilis (Western Province)
3. Jaco Kriel (Golden Lions)
4. Gouws Prinsloo (Sharks XV)
5. Jan Serfontein (Blue Bulls)
Ok so far now thread for Play of the year Nominees. So before I log out will put my player in each category.
Going on the above. It could go like this:
Player of the year: Keegan Daniel/Etzebeth
Young Player of the year: Marcell Coetzee/Etzebeth
Team of the Year: Sharks
Coach of the Year: John Plumtree
Super Rugby Player of the Year: JP Pietersen/Keegan Daniel
Currie Cup Premier Div: Louis Ludik
Currie Cup 1st Div: Have no idea never watched it.
Vodacom Player of the Year: Have no idea only watched a few games.
10 @ Puma:
not now thread… 🙄
no thread
9 @ Puma:
Saw that… too many Sharks players…. hehehe
@ grootblousmile:
For me a CJ Stander should have atleast gotten a nomination.
My choices in brackets,
Player of the Year:
1.( Keegan Daniel)
2. Eben Etzebeth
3. Bryan Habana
4. Pat Lambie
5. JP Pietersen
Young Player of the Year:
1. Marcell Coetzee
2. (Eben Etzebeth)
3. Johan Goosen
4. Elton Jantjies
5. Raymond Rhule
Team of the Year:?????? not sure here stuck between the junior Boks and the Sharks!
1. Eastern Province Kings (Currie Cup First Division)
2. The Sharks (Super Rugby)
3. The Sharks (Currie Cup)
4. South Africa U20 (IRB Junior World Championship)
5. Stormers (Super Rugby)
Coach of the Year:
1. Allister Coetzee (Stormers and Western Province)
2. Pote Human (Griquas)
3.( John Plumtree (The Sharks))
4. Alan Solomons (EP Kings)
5. Dawie Theron (SA U20)
Super Rugby Player of the Year:
1.( Marcell Coetzee (The Sharks))
2. Keegan Daniel (The Sharks)
3. Bismarck du Plessis (The Sharks)
4. Eben Etzebeth (Stormers)
5. JP Pietersen (The Sharks)
Currie Cup Premier Division Player of the Year:
1. Deon Fourie (Western Province)
2. JC Janse van Rensburg (Golden Lions)
3. Elton Jantjies (Golden Lions)
(4. Louis Ludik (The Sharks)) I know some will lift eye brows here but LL has been brilliant, never a poor match.
5. Raymond Rhule (Free State Cheetahs)
Currie Cup First Division Player of the Year:???? not sure here
1. Hansie Graaff (Griffons)
2. JW Jonker (Pumas)
3. Rudi Mathee (Pumas)
4. Paul Perez (EP Kings)
5. Luke Watson (EP Kings)
Vodacom Cup Player of the Year:
1. Marcel Brache (Western Province)
2. Demetri Catrakilis (Western Province)
3. Jaco Kriel (Golden Lions)
4. Gouws Prinsloo (Sharks XV)
(5. Jan Serfontein (Blue Bulls) )
Bulle is nerens op die lyste hierdie jaar nie, behalwe Jan vir die VC.
Maar dit is hoe dit gaan, die dag as die Bulle genominate word, dan is dit omdat ons wereldbekers, drie-nasies en super14 bekers gewen het, nie net ‘n ou klein CB nie ….. 😉
Okay looking at team of the year. I gave it to Sharks for making the Super Rugby final and the CC final.
But thinking about our u20’s junior team that beat NZ in the final. It could go to them.
The reason I have Keegan as player of the year, is because he has now captained his team to a Super Rugby and CC final. Also have Keegan as, Super Rugby Player Of The Year, because he captained his team to that final. Etzebeth was great for his team and the Boks until he copped a ban against Sharpe. Whether he head butted him nor not, it looked like he was going in with the head, think he stopped short. But getting the ban, I put Keegan as Player of the Year.
John Plumtree too, coached his team to both. SR and CC final.
Young player of the year is either Coetzee or Etzebeth
Ludik is so underrated. He has was outstanding for Sharks in Super Rugby and again in the Currie Cup. The reason I have him down as Currie Cup Player Of The Year.
I suppose who ever wins on Saturday that too will determine who wins that category.
15. Louis Ludik , 14. JP Pietersen , 13. Paul Jordaan, 12. Tim Whitehead, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Pat Lambie, 9. Cobus Reinach , 8. Keegan Daniel (Capt), 7. Willem Alberts, 6. Marcell Coetzee, 5. Anton Bresler , 4. Steven Sykes , 3. Jannie du Plessis , 2. Craig Burden , 1. Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: 16. Kyle Cooper, 17. Wiehahn Herbst, 18. Jandre Marais , 19. Jean Deysel , 20. Charl McLeod, 21. Meyer Bosman, 22. Odwa Ndungane
Why are the Sharks supporters being so humble? They have snot klapped thr Stompies / Wp all year. If they dont win by 30 points it will be a shame.
@ Loosehead: We aalways humble, 😉
Sharks team for final:
___________________________________________________
15. Louis Ludik , 14. JP Pietersen , 13. Paul Jordaan, 12. Tim Whitehead, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Pat Lambie, 9. Cobus Reinach , 8. Keegan Daniel (Capt), 7. Willem Alberts, 6. Marcell Coetzee, 5. Anton Bresler , 4. Steven Sykes , 3. Jannie du Plessis , 2. Craig Burden , 1. Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: 16. Kyle Cooper, 17. Wiehahn Herbst, 18. Jandre Marais , 19. Jean Deysel , 20. Charl McLeod, 21. Meyer Bosman, 22. Odwa Ndungane
Excellent team. Only think we should have started with Deysel. He is playing sublime rugby right now, I know Alberts is too, but Deysel does fetch and we need someone to stop Deon.
See a 4/3 split think against Province probably okay, though thought Plum might have PSDT on the bench, somehow thought we might see a 5/2 split.
Anyhow great team.
GO SHARKS – BRING IT HOME BOYS…… 🙂
Actually pleased to see Odwa on the bench. Has been our top try scorer this CC. What a great player at his age, never disappoints.
#16 Puma,
So, you reckon Keegan leading Etsebeth by a short head then?
And I’m surprised that you chose the Sharks team and player for the awards, Puma…..you’re normally quite unbiased.
The last time Province won the Currie Cup, Petrol was R3,64/liter!
25 @ Loosehead:
So maybe we should hope for 2 miracles on saturday.
That WP win a (half) decent trophy, and then that petrol returns to the same price..
Ah well, nice to dream. Doubt any of the 2 will happen.
@ Loosehead:
24 @ fender:
Howzit Fender,
It is all about being honest here and not about being biased.
My reason that I chose Sharks for Team Of The Year, was because of us reaching 2 finals this year. Also playing a total rugby. We were the best team by a long way towards the end in the saffa conference. Also the the dramatic way we done it in Super Rugby. By having to win all our last games with 4 tries to play the play off in the first instance. We did that and after had to travel to Brisbane for a play off, which everyone wrote us off, we beat them and had to travel straight back to Cape Town to play a semi, everyone wrote us off there again and we won. NO team has travelled that distance in that short period of time has gone on to win a semi. Saders travelled a lot last year, but never done that distance of travel in such a short period of time. So beating Stormers to get into the final was a magnificent feat in it self after all that travel. Then reaching the CC final as well. Keegan’s great captaincy in getting us into two finals, is the reason I would vote for Keegan as Player Of The Year.
Team Of The Year, I chose Sharks, but it could go to the Junior Boks as I have said above. I think it will go to them actually winning the cup and beating NZ in the fashion they did by playing some exceptionally excellent rugby.
Young Player Of The Year, could go to either Marcell or Eben. I think it will go to Eben.
Coach of the year has to go to Plumtree by getting his team into two finals. Unless they give it to the u20’s world cup coach.
Ludik most definitely would be my CC player of the year. So underrated. Has been the best fullback in the country since the last part of Super Rugby and is still the best Fullback.
You have to remember it is just MY opinion, none of it will probably go that way.
C:\Users\Tyrone\Pictures\399385_363317263739362_1614554059_n.jpg
MAn i camt wait for the match to kick off, gonna be a tough one,
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