The Sharks squad to play in this year’s Vodacom Super Rugby tournament shows no great surprises, with two players drafted in from outside, a couple of new faces that have been in the system and the familiar faces we all know.
Official Sharks Media Release
A settled squad is exactly what The Sharks present this year, with Franco van der Merwe and Butch James having represented the Lions previously – although James spent the bulk of his career with The Sharks as the only newcomers.
Allan Dell has shown good early form and has been in the system for some time, so it is a natural progression for this youngster who can play on either side of the front row. He is joined by another youngster, Pieter-Steph du Toit, who represented the Sharks last year before a season-ending injury. Du Toit was part of the victorious SA Under 20 side that won the IRB Junior World Champs and will serve the Sharks at lock and loose-forward.
Kyle Cooper, Monde Hadebe, Paul Jordaan, Jandre Marais, Peet Marais, Tera Mtembu, Cobus Reinach, Sibusiso Sithole, Riaan Viljoen and Tim Whitehead may not be established stars, but they have been in the system for a season or two and now boast valuable experience for the Sharks.
The squad is rounded off by all the old familiar faces: world champions, Springboks and crowd favourites, all focused on delivering a great season ahead.
The Sharks 2013 Squad
Backs: Meyer Bosman, Butch James, Paul Jordaan, Pat Lambie, Louis Ludik, Charl McLeod, Lwazi Mvovo, Odwa Ndungane, JP Pietersen, Cobus Reinach, Sibusiso Sithole, Francois Steyn, Riaan Viljoen, Tim Whitehead
Forwards: Willem Alberts, Jacques Botes, Anton Bresler, Craig Burden, Dale Chadwick, Marcell Coetzee, Kyle Cooper, Keegan Daniel, Allan Dell, Jean Deysel, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Monde Hadebe, Wiehahn Herbst, Ryan Kankowski, Jandre Marais, Peet Marais, Tendai Mtawarira, Lubabalo Mtembu, Franco van der Merwe.
Good squad and no real surprises here.
Looking forward to seeing Dell play a bit this year, with such a long season will expect him to get some game time.
Go Sharks!
@ Puma:
Hi Puma, Dell has been excellent in the 2 warm up matches so far, this kid is a special talent and he plays both sides of the scrum, something the Sharks lacked.
2 @ Sharks_forever:
Howzit bro, hope you keeping well.
Well with Dell able to scrum on both sides is a bonus. I expect to see him start some games this season.
How is Kanko? Asked on the other thread. Is he Super Rugby ready?
My Sharks team would be as follows taking into account the injuries.
15. Ludick
14. JpP
13. Jordaan
12. Steyn
11. Mvovo
10. Lambie
09. Reinach
08. Kankowski
07. Deysel (VC)
06. Marcell
05. VD Merwe
04. Bresler
03. Jannie
02. Cooper/Burden
01. Beast
Reserves:
16. Burden/Cooper
17. Herbst
18. Dell
19. PSDT
20. Botes
21. Mcleod
22. Viljoen/Bosman
23. Odwa
Thing is Plumtree might opt to play only 2 backline reserves which would mean Mtembu comes onto the bench. Also if Kanko does not play as some suggest then i am sure Mtembu will start at 8 with Botes on the bench and Botes and PSDT will cover Loose forward and Lock.
Another option is a loose trio of 8 Coetzee, 7 Deysel, 6 Botes with Mtembu on the bench, but i do not see him going that route.
@ Puma:
Brfo Kanko is match fit and ready, it is only on his strength that they have been working, that has been for near 2 weeks now, it does not take that long.
5 @ Sharks_forever:
Pleased to hear that about Kanko. He was just brilliant towards the end of last season.
That would be my team up there as well. Also would have Deysel as vice cappie. Not 100s though who should start at hooker? Your feeling, Burden or Cooper?
@ Puma:
In the first warm up match Cooper was better, so not sure whaat to think there as i did not see the 2nd match.
7 @ Sharks_forever:
Hard for me to tell as well. The first few games will tell us though.
7 @ Sharks_forever:
How do you see Bulls/Stormers game going? I think Stormers could win this Friday. See Bulls are without W.Steenkamp and D. Greyling also they don’t have Serfontein either. Thought Serfontein would start but not even on the bench.
If Burden can sort out his line-out throwing I would favour him, he has blistering pace and can at least make up for a bit that you loose with Bissie
Kanko exited me last year, hope he continues, he can be a brilliant Super Rugby player
Strong squad, great depth… still beatable
I think there are 3 really string squads this year in the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls. All have been bolstered by some fresh additions and youngsters coming through so they are each on average 20% stronger than last year.
Sharks have Steyn, Franco as new arrivals along with players like Reinach and PSDT who strengthen them in key areas, namely lock and 9, areas that they were inconsistent in last year.
Bulls have Mapoe as a new signing but have players like Serfontein, Watermeyer, Pollard etc as youngsters coming through and I wouldn’t bet against them making their Super 15 debuts this season. In addition they have some young players who are a season more experienced which will add to the confidence in the group.
Stormers have the Lions in Taute, Cilliers and Jantjies and are the “winners” as far as picking over the Lions’ carcass is concerned. In addition we have players like Groom and De Allende coming through, with Brache to make a comeback half way through the season. We also have players like Etsebeth and Kitshoff in their second season who are expected to make a great impact.
So all in all it’s any of the above teams’ conference to win. It’s up to them to go out and do it. Injuries will play a part and squad management will be all important. Here the two coastal teams have somewhat of an edge over the Bulls who do lack key depth in certain areas.
Here is the Sharks Team for Saturday. As there is no article of this up I have copied this from SharksRugby.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Sharks
1. Tendai Mtawarira
2. Craig Burden
3. Jannie du Plessis
4. Anton Bresler
5. Franco van der Merwe
6. Jacques Botes
7. Marcell Coetzee
8. Ryan Kankowski
9. Cobus Reinach
10. Patrick Lambie
11. Lwazi Mvovo
12. Francois Steyn (Captain)
13. Paul Jordaan
14. JP Pietersen
15. Louis Ludik
Replacements
16. Kyle Cooper
17. Wiehahn Herbst
18. Pieter-Steph du Toit
19. Jean Deysel
20. Charl McLeod
21. Meyer Bosman
22. Odwa Ndungane
Had a feeling Botes could start this game, though am a little surprised Deysel is on the bench as he is like for like replacement for Alberts. Still like that loose trio. Excellent bench as well.
Go Sharks. Need to pick up a win from the start this year. Here is to hoping we do….
4 @ Sharks_forever:
Almost spot on except that Botes is starting.
Hey Pooms, doing the article now, just got home.
16 @ Sharks_forever:
Okay no problems. Thought these okes forgot to put up our Sharks team for this week… 🙂
12 @ Stormersboy:
Agree all Bulls, Sharks and Stormers have great chance again to finish in the play offs all 3 of them. Just don’t count out the Cheetahs, sure they don’t have the depth we have, but if they don’t pick up injuries they will do very well this year imo. Well don’t see them making the play offs but they will do better than finish 10th like last year.
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