Sharks coach John Plumtree has named his final Super Rugby squad which shows no great surprises with two players drafted in from outside, a couple of new faces that have been in the system and the regulars.
According to The Sharks' official website, a settled squad is exactly what the Durban-based franchise present this year.
Franco van der Merwe and Butch James having represented the Lions previously are the only newcomers this year - although James spent the bulk of his career with The Sharks.
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 U20 side that won the IRB Junior World Championship 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.
The Sharks squad: Willem Alberts, Meyer Bosman, 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, Butch James, Paul Jordaan, Ryan Kankowski, Pat Lambie, Louis Ludik, Jandre Marais, Peet Marais, Charl McLeod, Tendai Mtawarira, Lubabalo Mtembu, Lwazi Mvovo, Odwa Ndungane, JP Pietersen, Cobus Reinach, Sibusiso Sithole, Francois Steyn, Franco van der Merwe, Riaan Viljoen, Tim Whitehead.
Comments
georgesmith says...
Powerful squad. Sharks are the early favourites in the SA conference.
Posted 10:28 20th February 2013
IronManI441 says...
Incorrect, Francois Steyn is the same as Butch James. He is also a newcomer who spent a portion of his career elsewhere before returning to Sharks. Not good to miss that PR, I mean he has been named the Captain! Pretty big new addition to miss.
The editor says.... The story is correct. Frans Steyn is not a newcomer, he played for the Sharks at the end of the 2012 Super Rugby season. See here: http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,15998_7875820,00.html
Posted 15:10 19th February 2013