While The Sharks may not be at full-strength, this Saturday’s Vodacom Super Rugby clash against the Stormers sees the return of a familiar face and the introduction of a new one to off-set their injury status.

Sharks Official Media Release

Sharks coach John Plumtree has lamented the injury situation at The Sharks, but the good news is the return to play of Jean Deysel, while Odwa Ndungane who pulled up with a hamstring strain in the Crusaders’ match last weekend, has responded well to treatment.

“It’s been a bit disappointing not being able to get more players back into the team but the medical staff have been working really hard to get players back,” said The Sharks coach.

Ryan Kankowski will start this match at flank now that Jacques Botes is out with a broken arm, while Jean Deysel will play off the bench.

Perhaps the biggest surprise though is the elevation of 19 year old Sean Robinson who was playing for The Sharks Under 19s last year and represented SA Schools in 2011.  He scored the match-winning try against SWD for The Sharks XV and his blistering pace should hopefully be on show this Saturday down in Cape Town.

“Sean is a youngster in his second year at The Sharks Academy and looks to have all the attributes of being a really good footballer,” said Plumtree. “It’s a great opportunity for him and we’ve placed no pressure on him to have a big game, just that he goes out and enjoys the experience. We’re hoping he has a good game and that he plays many more games for The Sharks.

“Losing Jacques Botes with the form that he was in is a big blow for us, but we’re very happy to have Jean Deysel coming back in. He was playing really good rugby before he got injured and his return is a timely boost for us.

“Against the Stormers you need that physicality and he’ll come off the bench and provide that.”

The Sharks

1 Tendai Mtawarira, 2 Kyle Cooper, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 4 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 7 Ryan Kankowski, 8 Keegan Daniel (Captain), 9 Cobus Reinach, 10 Patrick Lambie, 11 JP Pietersen, 12 Meyer Bosman, 13 Paul Jordaan, 14 Sean Robinson, 15 Francois Steyn

Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Wiehahn Herbst, 18 Anton Bresler, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Charl McLeod, 21 Riaan Viljoen, 22 Odwa Ndungane.