Jean Deysel: Making his 50th appearance
Sharks coach John Plumtree has made three changes to his starting XV for Saturday's Currie Cup semi-final with the Blue Bulls in Durban.
JP Pietersen shifts to the right wing in place of Odwa Ndungane who failed a late fitness test after sustaining an ankle injury against Griquas last weekend.
After playing off the bench last weekend, the Springbok duo of Lwazi Mvovo and Jannie du Plessis start this week, while Beast Mtawarira and Willem Alberts, who were rested last week following their heavy workload in the Rugby Championship, have been recalled and will feature off the replacements bench.
Mvovo moves into Pietersen's spot on the left wing while Du Plessis comes in for Wiehan Herbst.
Jacques Botes, another player under an injury cloud (back), also failed to make it and will miss out this week. His place in the run-on side is taken by Marcell Coetzee.
The third player facing a late fitness decision is Steven Sykes who has been bracketed with Peet Marais on the bench.
"We're starting Jannie (Du Plessis), it's a big game and he had some Currie Cup action last week," explained Plumtree.
"He'll be partnered by Dale Chadwick and Kyle Cooper, and then we have a whole front row on the bench with Craig Burden, Beast and Wiehahn Herbst.
"It could be wet and having Willem Alberts and someone with experience like Steven Sykes on the bench will be important because how we finish the game off could be vital.
"There were a lot of choices, but I don't think we could ignore what the guys have achieved without the guys who are now back.
"And we also couldn't ignore the importance of experience.
"Everyone is just really excited."
Flanker Jean Deysel will make his 50th Currie Cup appearance for the home side.
The 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 (c), 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Anton Bresler, 4 Jandre Marais, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Kyle Cooper, 1 Dale Chadwick.
Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Steven Sykes/Peet Marais, 20 Willem Alberts, 21 Charl McLeod, 22 Meyer Bosman.
Date: Saturday, 20 October
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 16:30 (14:30 GMT)
Referee: Mark Lawrence
Assistant referees: Jason Jaftha, Christie du Preez
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman
Assessor: Alan O'Connell
Comments
sharkies says...
You beauties..... the bulls must only come down to the sea for a holiday not to play rugby.
Posted 09:42 21st October 2012
Lucasrg says...
Sharks running rugby will prevail this week as well! Go Sharks!
Posted 19:25 18th October 2012