Ackermann to the rescue
Evergreen Johan Ackermann is set to answer an SOS call from the Sharks and return to Super 14 action less than 2 months after 'retiring'.
Evergreen Johan Ackermann is set to answer an SOS call from the Sharks and return to Super 14 action less than 2 months after 'retiring'.
According to the Daily Mail Sharks coach Dick Muir phoned Ackermann on Monday to ask the 37-year-old to come back for one last fling as a replacement for injured lock Steven Sykes.
After hanging up his boots at the end of last year, Ackermann was convinced to play the in first three games of this year's Super 14 while Sykes recovered from a pre-season injury.
With Sykes once again unavailable, Ackermann is set to come to the rescue for the Sharks' top-of-the-table showdown with the Crusaders in Christchurch next week.
Muir not only needed a 'yes' from Ackermann but from the petroleum company that now employs him as a marketing manager, Kepu, who have given their employee the go-ahead.
All that remains to be done is sort out some paperwork since Ackermann has been playing for Cape Town club Hamiltons and thus is registered as a Western Province player.
Muir says this should not prove a problem because the Super 14 is an international as opposed to a domestic competition.
“Johan says he is in good shape because he has carried on playing since he left us and has played five games for Hamiltons,” Muir told the paper.
Muir said that Ackermann would not be considered for Saturday's match against the Waratahs, but would play next week in Christchurch.
Albert van den Berg and AJ Venter alternated in the second row alongside captain Johann Muller at training in Randwick on Tuesday morning.
Forwards coach John Plumtree has not yet decided whether to bank on Van den Berg's versatility in the line-outs or Venter's bash 'em down drag 'em out physical style but Van den Berg could well get the nod to counter the Waratahs' strength at throw-in time.
Flank Keegan Daniel, who aggravated a lower back injury against the Brumbies and was forced from the field, is a doubtful starter.
Jean Deysel, who joined the Sharks on tour after Epi Taione was suspended, is Daniel's likely replacement.
A shoulder injury that is not healing fast enough is threatening to keep inside centre Bradley Barritt sidelined also. His absence should see Frans Steyn to move to the number twelve jersey and Waylon Murray being recalled to the side at outside centre.
The weather conditions continue to plague the Durban based side, who have not seen the sun in Sydney for more than a week, and were forced to train in the rain on Tuesday.
Sydney is in the grip of a drought-breaking cold front, but the weather forecast has indicated that Saturday should be dry.