In this Article we look at the contenders for LOOSE FORWARDS at the Sharks 2013 Super Rugby group.
Loose Forward is a set of 3 positions where the Sharks have abundance of, but much will depend on the coaching staff’s game plans and which combinations to use accordingly and as we have seen with John Plumtree, you could very well see someone like Willem Alberts playing a game or two at lock.
But before I continue, let me get this out of the way first! The biggest problem at the Sharks at Loose Forward is the lack of a FETCHER and as many great Loose Forwards that they have, not having a fetcher is that one huge weakness. All one has to do is look back at the Currie Cup Final of 2012 and see how it hurt them as a team, specially with Bismarck du Plessis being out injured, because it is common knowledge that Bismarck du Plessis fulfills that role for the Sharks.
There are three positions and 7 Loose Forwards at the Sharks disposal, thus I feel this will be the position to give the coaches the biggest headaches. Ryan Kankowski will probably play most games because of the lineout issues as well as the fact that he is the only genuine 8th man in the squad, the team Captain is Keegan Daniel and this means he will also probably play most games.
Marcell Coetzee has had a superb 2012 season and can hardly be benched, so what to do with Willem Alberts, one of the touring Springboks’ best players recently? What also about Jean Deysel, who also had a very good Currie Cup for the Sharks and who was huge in hitting the rucks combined with very strong defense and ball carrying departments? Jacques Botes is yet another player that never lets the team down and his slowing of the opposition ball at the rucks and turning over ball as well as his speed to the breakdown areas, is always a plus.
The only two Loose Forwards that might additionally also get game time is Francois Kleinhans and Lubabalo Mtembu as John Plumtree is for the most part a coach that sticks to what and who he knows, of course no one can predict the future on how many injuries will occur during the season.
The Contenders:
Keegan Daniel:
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Keegan Daniel started his education at Gonubie Primary School before moving off to one of South Africa’s best known rugby nurseries, Dale College Boys High School, where he played Craven Week for the Border rugby team in 2003 and was recruited afterwards by the Sharks Rugby Academy.
Keegan Daniel arrived on the provincial scene in the Super Rugby competition, which earned him a place in the South African Under 21 team. He played well in the tournament with the South African Under 21 team at the IRB Under 21 World Cup in France where South Africa lost in the final. He was nominated for player of the tournament and went on to claim the South African Under 21 player of the year for 2006. He has the ability to play openside or blindside flanker, 8th man, wing, flyhalf and fullback because of his blistering speed and good kicking ability.
Since 2006, Daniel has starred for the Sharks at Super Rugby level. In the 2008 season he earned Man Of The Match awards in consecutive games against 2007 winners (Vodacom Bulls) and the high-flying Auckland Blues, scoring 3 tries in the process. His first try against the Blues came after just 16 seconds in that game – a record at Super 14 level.
On 30 October 2010, Keegan was selected to tour with the Springboks in their November tour of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. He was not selected as a part of the initial squad of 39 but was later added after his performances in the Currie Cup semi-final and final.
On 16 January 2012, Sharks’ coach John Plumtree appointed Keegan Daniel as the Sharks captain for the 2012 Super Rugby season and again he showed his class as a player and a leader, no doubt he will again captain the team in 2013. His playing career to date is as follows:
- 2012 – South Africa The Castle Rugby Championship – The Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – South Africa Castle Incoming Tours – Sharks Vodacom Super Rugby
- 2011 – The Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – Sharks Vodacom Super Rugby – 2011
- 2010 – South Africa Outgoing Tours – Springboks Outgoing Tours – Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – Sharks Invitational XV Absa Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies – The Sharks Vodacom Super 14 –
- 2009 – Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – Sharks Invitational XV Absa Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies – Sharks British & Irish Lions Tour – The Sharks Vodacom Super 14 – Sharks MTN test
- 2008 – The Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Div – The Sharks Vodacom Super 14
- 2007 – The Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Div – Wildebeest Vodacom Cup – The Sharks Vodacom Super 14
- 2006 – The Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – South Africa IRB under 21 World Championship – Wildebeest Vodacom Cup – The Sharks Vodacom Super 14 – KZN U21 ABSA under 21 Competition
- 2005 – Natal ABSA under 21 Competition
Ryan Kankowski:
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Ryan Kankowski, or Kanko as he is known in some circles, was schooled in Port Elizabeth at St Andrew’s College and directly after school his parents moved to Port Shepstone in Kwa-Zulu Natal where he was accepted to the Sharks Rugby Academy. He went on to build a very impressive career at the Sharks, where he still applies his trade, although he is on a 6 month contract in Japan for Toyota Verblitz at the moment from which he will return at the end of January 2013.
Kanko is a tall, strong, yet pacey and skilled Number Eight. He is also capable of playing as an Openside Flanker. He has a natural flair on attack, breaking the line with powerful runs from the back of the scrum, whilst he is unrelenting on defense. He is also an incredibly dangerous runner in open play. His game is reminiscent of that of Zinzan Brook and with maturity and leadership qualities that belie his age.
Kanko was first selected to represent South Africa during the Springboks’ 2007 End Of Year Tour to Wales & England. He made a try-scoring Test debut on the tour, as a substitute during South Africa’s resounding 34–12 victory over Wales at the Millenium Stadium on 24 November 2007.
He received one of his nicknames, “Definite”, from his close friends as they believed he would definitely be a Springbok rugby player at some stage, but one must say, depending on which side of the fence one sits on regarding him as a player, he possibly should have played many more Tests than is the case.
His Career portfolio is as follows:
- 2012 – South Africa Castle Incoming Tours – Sharks XV Vodacom Cup – Sharks Vodacom Super Rugby
- 2011 – The Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – Sharks Vodacom Super Rugby – South Africa Castle Tri-Nations
- 2012 – Springboks Outgoing Tours – South Africa Outgoing Tours – Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – South Africa Vodacom Tri-Nations – The Sharks Vodacom Super 14 – South Africa Vodacom Incoming Tours
- 2009 – South Africa Vodacom Outgoing Tours – South Africa Vodacom Tri-Nations – Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – South Africa British & Irish Lions Tour – The Sharks Vodacom Super 14
- 2008 – South Africa Vodacom Outgoing Tour – South Africa Vodacom Tri-Nations – The Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Div – South Africa Vodacom Incoming Tours – The Sharks Vodacom Super 14
- 2070 – South Africa Vodacom Outgoing Tour – Springboks XV Vodacom Outgoing Tour – The Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Div – SA Emerging IRB Nations Cup – Wildebeest Vodacom Cup – The Sharks Vodacom Super 14
- 2006 – The Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – Wildebeest Vodacom Cup
- 2005 – Natal ABSA Under 21 Competition
- 2004 – Kwa-Zulu Natal ABSA U20 Competition Section A
Willem Alberts:
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Willem was schooled at Monument High in Johannesburg and is a remarkably strong man, known as “The Bone Collector”, not without reason. He started his rugby career at the Golden Lions from junior level to senior level until 2009 when he decided to join the Sharks and immediately made a huge impact.
Alberts is a total team player and always puts the team before his own interests and thus has found himself playing in various positions for the Lions, Sharks and the Springboks and the season of 2013 we head into will be no different as Alberts will no doubt be playing wherever the team needs him.
Willem’s career portfolio is as follows:
- 2012 – South Africa Castle Outgoing Tours – South Africa The Castle Rugby Championship – The Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – South Africa Castle Incoming Tours – Sharks Vodacom Super Rugby
- 2011 – South Africa IRB Rugby World Cup – The Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – Sharks Vodacom Super Rugby – South Africa Castle Tri-Nations
- 2010 – South Africa Outgoing Tours – Springboks Outgoing Tours – Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – The Sharks Vodacom Super 14
- 2009 – Xerox Lions ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – Xerox Lions Absa Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies – Xerox Golden Lions British & Irish Lions Tour – Auto & General Lions Vodacom Super 14 Lions MTN test
- 2008 – Xerox Lions ABSA Currie Cup Premier Div – Xerox Lions Absa Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies –
- 2007 – Auto & General Lions Vodacom Super 14 – Golden Lions XV Absa Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies – Golden Lions ABSA Currie Cup Premier Div – Lions Vodacom Super 14
- 2006 – University of Johannesburg Fidentia National Club Championships
- 2005 – Golden Lions ABSA Under 21 Competition – Lions ABSA Currie Cup Qualifying Round – Golden Lions Vodacom Cup
- 2004 – Golden Lions ABSA U20 Competition Section A
Marcell Coetzee:
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Marcell, the “Wonder Child”, was schooled at Port Natal High School in Durban where one wonders if scouts ever check for talent there. This is asked as Marcell came from nowhere to be a Springbok in a very short space of time and a very good one at that. He did not play Craven Week or Natal Schools yet he made his way into the Sharks Rugby Academy and the rest is history.
Marcell is like the “Energizer Bunny” as he speeds around the field and makes tackle after tackle, but he is more than just a tackler as his ball carrying skills are very good as well and his interplay and offloading in tackles et cettera and in some of his Springbok games he has been given the arduous task of playing at blindside flank which is not his normal position, still the player excelled and at his tender age whilst is still learning his trade.
This being the case, he is still growing with experience. This young man can become a true legend but it is all about belief and how he is handled as a player. I for one can only see him going from strength to strength.
We should not forget that he is only 21 years old.
His Portfolio is as follows:
- 2012 – South Africa Castle Outgoing Tours – South Africa The Castle Rugby Championship – The Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – South Africa Castle Incoming Tours – Sharks Vodacom Super Rugby
- 2011 – Sharks ABSA Under 21 Competition – The Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – Sharks XV Absa Currie Cup Compulsory friendlies – Sharks Vodacom Super Rugby – Sharks XV Vodacom Cup
- 2010 – Sharks ABSA Under 19 Competition
Jean Deysel:
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Jean Deysel was schooled at Hentie Colliers High School in Virginia in the Free State. He is a similar player to Willem Alberts as they are both strong ball carrying flanks who defend with big hits and hit rucks with venom. The one thing Jean Deysel does have in his favor is his fetching ability, which often gets overlooked.
He too came to the Sharks via the Golden Lions and has since always been a crowd favorite at the “Shark Tank”. He at last seems to have overcome his injury problems, which used to hamper him, no doubt had he not had such poor luck with injuries he surely would have played many more Tests for the Springboks and I have a feeling 2013 could be a big year for the strongman.
His career portfolio is as follows:
- 2010 – The Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – Sharks XV Vodacom Cup – Sharks Vodacom Super Rugby
- 2011 – The Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – Sharks Vodacom Super Rugby – Sharks XV Vodacom Cup – South Africa Castle Tri-Nations
- 2010 – Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – The Sharks Vodacom Super 14
- 2009 – South Africa Vodacom Outgoing Tours – Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – Sharks Invitational XV Absa Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies – Emerging Springboks British & Irish Lions Tour – Sharks British & Irish Lions Tour – The Sharks Vodacom Super 14 – Sharks MTN test
- 2008 – The Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Div – The Sharks Absa Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies – Wildebeest Vodacom Cup – The Sharks Vodacom Super 14
- 2007 – Sharks XV Absa Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies – The Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Div – Lions Vodacom Cup
- 2006 – Lions ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – Lions Vodacom Cup – Golden Lions ABSA Under 21 Competition
- 2005 – Golden Lions ABSA Under 21 Competition – Lions ABSA Currie Cup Qualifying Round – Golden Lions Vodacom Cup
- 2004 – Golden Lions ABSA U20 Competition Section A
- 2002 – Griffons U/19 U19 Competition – 2002
Three Loose-forwards to mention that will be called on depending on where and if they are needed:
Jacques Botes:
| Date of Birth: | 28 November 1980 |
| Place of Birth: | Johannesburg |
| Position: | Flank / 8th Man |
| Height: | 182 cm |
| Weight: | 98 Kg |
| Clubs: | Glenwood Falcons |
- 2012 – The Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – Sharks Vodacom Super Rugby
- 2011 – The Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – Sharks Vodacom Super Rugby
- 2010 – Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – Sharks Invitational XV Absa Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies – The Sharks Vodacom Super 14
- 2009 – Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – Sharks Invitational XV Absa Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies – Emerging Springboks British & Irish Lions Tour – Sharks British & Irish Lions Tour – The Sharks Vodacom Super 14 – Sharks MTN test
- 2008 – The Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Div – The Sharks Absa Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies – The Sharks Vodacom Super 14
- 2007 – The Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Div – Wildebeest Vodacom Cup – The Sharks Vodacom Super 14
- 2006 – The Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – The Sharks Vodacom Super 14
- 2005 – The Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – The Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Qualifying Round – Natal Wildebeest Vodacom Cup – Sharks Vodacom Super 12
- 2004 – @lantic Pumas Vodacom Shield – Pumas ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2003 – @lantic Pumas ABSA Currie Cup – Premier Div. -@lantic Pumas Vodacom Shield
- 2002 – Pumas Bankfin Currie Cup – Mpumalanga SA ‘A’ SA Cup
Lubabalo Mtembu:
| Date of Birth: | 09 December 1990 |
| Place of Birth: | East London |
| Position: | 8th Man |
| Height: | 187 cm |
| Weight: | 100 Kg |
- 2008 – Border Under 18 Craven Week
- 2010 – Elite Squad
- 2011 – SA Under 20, Sharks XV (Vodacom Cup)
Francois Kleinhans
| Date of Birth: | 07 January 1991 |
| Place of Birth: | Parklands, Durban |
| Position: | 8th Man / Flank |
| Height: | 184 cm |
| Weight: | 96 Kg |
| Clubs: | Collegians |
- 2012 – Sharks XV Vodacom Cup
- 2011 – Sharks XV Vodacom Cup
- 2010 – Sharks ABSA Under 19 Competition
- 2009 – Sharks ABSA Under 19 Competition, KZN Under 18 Coca-Cola Craven Week
- 2008 – Kwazulu-Natal Under 18 Coca-Cola Craven Week, Under 18 Elite Squad (Elite Squads)
- 2007 – KZN Under 16 (Under 16 Coca-Cola Grant Khomo Week)
Starters:
This is where I do not want to be the coach, there is always going to be a player just as good but for various reasons that player is going to either miss out or be on the bench. I mean it’s inconceivable to think a player of Jacques Botes’ skills may not get much game time in 2013.
Now who to start with? I have a feeling that John Plumtree may well start with Willem Alberts, Ryan Kankowski and Keegan Daniel but depending who the Sharks are facing, I think combinations are going to be paramount for the Sharks and that the coach might very well have two Loose Forwards as reserves on match days. His past history shows that John Plumtree favors that route.
Honestly, the last two Loose Forwards in Lubabalo Mtembu and Francois Kleinhans should probably resign themselves to the fact that they will be used more during the Vodacom Cup time, it is even possible that Jacques Botes will play Vodacom Cup, but in saying all of this, the glaring fact still is the lack of an out-and-out Fethcer in the squad.
In this instance, WHO WANTS TO BE JOHN PLUMTREE?
Eish I seriously hope A young player like Marcell has learnt or can learn a lot about fetching whilst playing with Flouw, the Sharks have Deysel to does play that role as he gets his body into the right position to fetch, but he needs to work harder on that aspect of his game, but then he might need to sacrifice a little of the time he spends on ball carrying,
Hiya Sharky,
Must say Deysel upped his game quite a bit, prior to last year he was losing the ball in contact too oft for my liking, and also didn’t run into space, prefering to bash his way over people with limited success. Good depth, but as you say the lack of a real fetcher may cause problems.
Luckily, the Cheetahs have Brüssow, and Marnus Schoeman, who really impressed with Griquas in the CC
@ Cheetah4eva:
Agree with you boet, and Deysel could fill that fetcher gap, I believe he should work harder on that aspect of his game,Of course BIssy plays that role but when he got injured the sharks were left without a fetcher in the CC final, and how that hurt.
2 @ Cheetah4eva:
Agree Deysel did up his game and not just bashing it up, he was finding the gaps as well as off loading in the tackel. Played very well in the CC this year.
3 @ Sharks_forever:
Should have started with Deysel in the CC final. Though our biggest problem besides not having fetcher was mostly our lineouts. Losing so much of our own ball there hurt us too.
Sharks have amongst the best loose forwards in the country. Well that is the way I see it.
Still would like to see the same loosies that were brilliant in the last few games start again next year. Alberts played lock in the last few games with Kanko at 8 Marcel 7 and Keegan 6. That way we have a super fast loose trio which I much prefer to just brawn there. Especially with the type of rugby the Sharks play. Should we start with Alberts at 4 lock? Worth a thought I think. Where to play Deysel? From the bench or what you think Sharky?
Sharks have awesome loosie depth… and I’d rather have the headache of whom to pick rather than having a depth problem.
@ grootblousmile:
this is true Rudi, like the Kings and the shortage on Locks, 1 injury and they in the dwang
Francois Kleinhans is a fetcher flank plays blindside, well does also cover 8thman, but I don’t see him making the main squad now, he is still very young.
Sharks need Bissy back urgently
Too much depth. There will be some unhappy players and plenty unhappy supporters every time the team is chosen.
@ Loosehead:
That will always be the case3 Loskoppie, also all those players have been with the Sharks a long time, so they used to the rotations etc.
And like Rudi said, which problem do you want?? not having enough quality loose Forwards? and know which scenario I would prefer
The secret for me is 2 or 3 players must be Captains, and plum must make sure that he does not play Daniel every match just because he is Capt, rotate them as those players are all just as good, JUst about putting the right combo together for each match
Sharky, so will it be rotation then? Keagan Daniels will have to play every game, as he is the captain. so there will be like 5 guys playing for 2 spots.
So if I take the forwards for the Sharks?
1)LH Prop- Beast, Chadwick both experienced with Dell as backup
2)TH Props- Jannie, Herbst, both experienced with Redelinghuys and Schonert as backup.
3)Hookers, Bismark, Burden, Cooper and Hadebe, only weakness there is BUrden and Coopers throw ins at times, hopefully in off season coaching staff will saught that out
4) Loose Forwards- Alberts, Daniel, Kanko, Deysel, Coetzee, Botes, Mtembu, Kleinhans, hell that’s 6 season veterans at LF plus 2 Junior Boks.
5)Locks, Bresler, Marais, Marais, Van Der Merwe, PSDT.
Looking at that pack squad I only see the fetching problem as an issue that needs to be soughted out, with Kanko back calling the lineouts they should be ok
@ Loosehead:
BIssy will be captaining some games Boet, Daniel wont play every match, nor will any other Loosies, also the chances are Botes,Mtembu and Kleinhans will be playing VC with Botes the team Capt so 5 will rotate and of course if injuries occur those playing in the VC will be brought back into the main squad
10 @ Loosehead:
Super15 is so long now LH the only way to survive is rotation and that means you need almost in every position a equally good player to take over. Teams that don’t have that will come short.
9 @ Sharks_forever:
Seen him play and think he is quite good. Will he get any game time? Not so sure, not a bad thing though, just that we have Keegan that will probably play openside sometimes as well as 8th man, also there is Marcell or will he only play blindside? We sure have a good headache to have with such top class players and we have two in every position with the Loosies. I think that is a bonus to be honest. If we pick up any injury we totally covered with the Loose Forwards.
16 @ Sharks_forever:
Snap! Was just about to say the same here. Though we have to remember Bissie only comes back mid April or end of April. Who will be Vice Captain while he is out? Alberts? Could be have no idea.
@ Puma:
Deysel
Read Rugby365 this morning. Forget the name of the thread, think it was New Comers this year, or something like that. Well there was a blogger there that said Marcell’s only problem is he does not pass and should learn to off-load in the tackle??????????????? Man where do these okes watch their rugby? Seriously I wonder. I felt so irritated I almost registered there to speak with him. I never as don’t want to blog there. That is the reason I never read what most bloggers are posting on other sites as you can’t answer back. Anyhow news for him is that Marcell had the 2nd most off-loads out of any saffa our conference in S15 this year. Only player to top him was Keegan as he had the most off-loads in our conference then Marcell. So I wonder what he was talking about. Could be him watching Marcell playing for the Boks where most players play a different game plan. At the Sharks Marcell most certainly plays the off-loading game and does it brilliantly. Remember on Reunion the kiwis thought he was superb. Saying he is like a young Schalk Burger only difference is Marcell don’t just crash ball and go to ground he off-loads in the tackle and that they thought was a huge plus in his game.
Anyhow just had to get that off my chest…………… 🙂 Now feel better…….
20 @ Sharks_forever:
Of course man, I need to give myself a crack on the head sometimes……….
22 @ Puma:
20 @ Sharks_forever:
If you want to see depth AND quality at Loose Forward, go see the Bulls Loose Forwards at their disposal.
Deysel and Alberts are like for like if we need to rotate. I think is a HUGE plus for Sharks. Kanko and Keegan both similar as 8th man as well. So who for openside? Marcell and who? Or will Plum just mix it up a bit with rotation. Marcell I feel could be a great 8th man as well. Would really like to see him play just one game there just to see how he goes. Doubt Plum will mess about with that idea though. It will be Kanko and Keegan at 8th man also with Keegan playing openside flank. Where will Alberts play blindside or lock? Good headache for Plum.
Sharks did play their best rugby with a fast loose trio towards the end of S15 this year. Kanko, Marcell and Keegan. They were outstanding together have to say. Jeez we sure do have some magnificent loosies at the Sharks. I know I have said it above, but just looking and reading about each player. They are pure class.
Marcell and Botes at openside with Kleinhans if needed. Saying that I still like the loosies who finished the S15 for us this year. I think we just may start with them again. Unless the weather is not great then we will need some brawn there. Alberts or Deysel. Probably Deysel seeing we will be without Bissie at the start this year. Deyse can fetch a bit, not the same as Bissie but he can. Like Sharky said he needs to work on that part of his game again.
23 @ grootblousmile:
I will in a moment boet.
@ grootblousmile:
Sorry boet, although you do have excellent depth at Loosies, but I still think the Sharks are better off in that department, but yes BB wont struggle to put combinations together
Alberts, Coetzee, Daniel, Deysel, Coetzee, that’s 5 boks Rudi and add to that both Mtembu and Kleinhans are junior Boks and lastly add Botes?? do I need to explain him?/ lol, that’s without bringing in more fringe Loosies,
Actually here is the Sharks under 21 squad for 2012, take out LIndeque and Cloete who have moved to other unions
Props
Danie Mienie (Merensky) – Sharks XV 2012
Simon Kerrod (Pretoria Boys High) – Sharks u19 2011
Jandre Jacobs (Maritzburg College)
Nick Schonert (Maritzburg College) – Super Rugby tourist 2012, Sharks XV 2012, SA Under 20 2011
Nicholas van Dyk (Paarl Boys High) – Sharks XV 2012, SA Under 20 2012
Alan Dell (Queens College)- Sharks XV 2012, SA Under 20 2012
Plenty of options at both loose and tight there, with the Vodacom Cup pair of Mienie and Schonert likely to start. Dell’s versatility should win him a bench spot.
Hookers
Franco Marais (Transvalia) – Sharks u19 2011, SA Under 20 2012
Gideon Bruwer (Jacobsdal Landbou) – Sharks u21 2011
With Baby Bok Marais a favourite to start here, the squad does look a little thin on hookers. Both of last year’s rakes, Monde Hadebe and Shaun Malton have moved on to senior rugby.
Locks
Paul Sanders (St John’s College) – Sharks u19 2011
Stefan Lewies (Eldoraigne) – Sharks XV 2012
J C Wasserman (Welkom Gimnasium) – Sharks u21 2011
Wade Elliott (Glenwood) – Sharks u19 2011
Pieter-Steph du Toit – Sharks Super Rugby 2012, SA Under 20 2012
It’s the second row where the Sharks are going to struggle this year. If du Toit does play, then he and Lewies could form a solid combination. However, it’s more likely that we’ll see loose forward Brendon Groenewald pressed into service here.
Loose forwards
Brendan Groenewald (Glenwood) – Sharks XV 2012
Chris Cloete (Selborne) – Sharks XV 2012
Matt Williams (Selborne) – Border Craven Week 2009
Francois Kleinhans (Glenwood) – Sharks Currie Cup 2011, Sharks XV 2012, SA Under 20 2011
Stefan Willemse (Paarl Gimnasium) – Blue Bulls Under 19 2011
Guy Alexander (Hilton) – Sharks Under 19 2011
Khaya Majola (Westville) – Sharks XV 2012, SA Under 20 2012
Braam Steyn (Paul Roos Gimnasium) – Sharks XV 2012, SA Under 20 2012
A decent set of loosies, with plenty of competition at openside between Majola, Kleinhans and Cloete. With Steyn and Alexander, together with Willemse all good options at 7 and 8, Groenewald could even play lock if required.
Scrumhalves
Ivan Ludick (Oakdale) – Sharks Under 19 2011
Hanco Venter (Monument) – Sharks XV 2012
Plaudits here must go to Hanco Venter, who was still at school last year and has capped a meteoric rise by bypassing under 19 level altogether. He also played Vodacom Cup rugby this year ahead of boys a few years older than him.
Flyhalves
Gavin Hauptfliesch (Paarl Boys High) – Sharks XV 2012
Duncan Campbell (Westville) – Lions Under 19 2011
Fred Zeilinga (Glenwood) – Sharks XV 2012
A really strong group here, with Zeilinga set to be pushed hard by the other two. Good to see local boy Campbell back in the fold.
Centres
Kayde Fisher (Westville) – Sharks Under 21 2011
Paul Jordaan (Grey College) – Sharks Super Rugby 2012, SA Under 20 2012
Heimar Williams (Affies) – Sharks XV 2012
Jared Meyer (King Edward VII) – Sharks Under 21 2011
Piet Lindeque (Grey College) – Sharks XV 2012
It’s a ridiculously strong set of centres, with Wandile Mjekevu included at wing, but equally adept at 13. The established pair of Williams and Lindeque will be pushed hard by KES schoolmates Meyer and Mjekevu.
Outside backs
Sizo Maseko (Ermelo) – Maties Varsity Cup 2012
Wandile Mjekevu (King Edward VII) – Sharks XV 2012, Lions Super Rugby 2010
Jaco van Tonder (Outeniqua) – Sharks XV 2012
Kyle Wilkinson (Paarl Gimnasium) – Sharks Under 21 2011
Keelin Bastew (Maritzburg College) – Sharks Under 19 2011
Again looking a little thin right at the back, but the acquisition of SA Schools winger Sizo Maseko will definitely help
27 @ Sharks_forever:
but I agree…………. 
And the Ssshh is for – let us take them by surprise………… 🙂
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