Due for a rest: Willem Alberts
Sharks assistant coach Grant Bashford has hinted they may not field some of their returning Springboks for Friday's Currie Cup meeting with the Griquas.
Fly-half Pat Lambie, wing Lwazi Mvovo, props Tendai Mtawarira and Jannie du Plessis, and loose forwards Marcell Coetzee and Willem Alberts are back and available for action, but Bashford said the Sharks would consider each player's workload in the Rugby Championship before sending them straight back onto the field.
The Sharks have already secured a home semi-final but victory this weekend would guarantee top spot in the standings and possible home final.
"It is nice to have the guys back, but we have decided that we will not make a blanket decision on their return. Some players have had a heavier work load than others in the Bok team and that will form the basis of how we play them," said Bashford.
"So some players will start, others could play off the bench and there may be one or two who won't be in the squad."
The Golden Lions have also booked their spot in the final four but coach Johan Ackermann is set to use all his returning Boks.
The Lions welcomed back fly-half Elton Jantjies, props Pat Cilliers and CJ van der Linde and utility-backs Jaco Taute and Lionel Mapoe.
"All of our Springboks are looking good and they are ready to go," said Ackermann.
"The only player who did not train yesterday was CJ because he has the flu, but he should be fit to play this weekend. It is exciting to have them back in the squad and it will be good to get them involved this weekend."
Comments
daibok says...
Interesting. I thought that last year's returning Boks disrupted both WP and the Sharks while the Lions were able to carry on with their settled team and deservedly win the Currie Cup.
Posted 13:24 09th October 2012