The Sharks have finally named their starting XV for the big one against the Stormers at Newlands on Saturday. Many of us had thought that we would be seeing the Springbok frontrow for the Sharks but there are some changes. Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira is not fit for the game on Saturday having suffered a sternum injury and his place at loosehead prop goes to Deon Carstens. John Smit will start the match at the hooker position ahead of Bismarck du Plessis who is slowly coming back from injury and only finds himself on the bench. Jannie du Plessis completes the Sharks frontrow. The Sharks backline virtually picks itself but it will be interesting to see the Pienaar – Steyn combination at work. Even more interesting will be seeing Steyn going head to head with Jean de Villiers.
We had a look at the Stormers team yesterday with the inclusion of Nick Koster on the wing being the major talking point. He will be up against Odwa Ndungane. This should be interesting!
The Sharks team in full is: 15 Stefan Terblanche 14 Odwa Ndungane 13 Adi Jacobs 12 Frans Steyn 11 JP Pietersen 10 Ruan Pienaar 9 Rory Kockott 8 Ryan Kankowski 7 Jean Deysel 6 Keegan Daniel 5 Johann Muller (c) 4 Steven Sykes 3 Jannie du Plessis 2 John Smit 1 Deon Carstens
Subs: Melusi Mthethwa, Bismarck du Plessis, Allistair Hargreaves, Jacques Botes, Ross Cronje, Riaan Swanepoel, Luzuko Vulindlu.
They will be up against the following Stormers lineup: 15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Gcobani Bobo, 12 Jean de Villiers (c), 11 Nick Koster, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Ricky Januarie, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Adriaan Fondse, 3 Brian Mujati, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 JD Moller.
Subs: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Wicus Blaauw, 18 AJ Venter, 19 Luke Watson, 20 Bolla Conradie, 21 Joe Pietersen, 22 Percy Montgomery.
I had all week backed the Sharks for this one but with their changed frontrow I am having second thoughts now! It has become even tougher to call now but I still see the Sharks just edging this one.
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6 comments
Guru says:
Feb 12, 2009
Definitely the SA game of the week and promises to be extremely physical.
Can’t wait!!!!!!!!!!
I’m calling the Sharks on this one, but only just.
kambas says:
Feb 13, 2009
Sharks Baba!!!!
kambas says:
Feb 16, 2009
this was a great game and as i predicted, if injury hadn’t struck Jean de villiers, i think the stormers would have taken this game. to be honest with you Luke watson had a great game and should have started i was really impressed, i think the stormers are gonna go far this year, i am almost inclined to change my S14 squad, even though my team won, i saw potential.
kambas says:
Feb 16, 2009
i want it said publicly, GCOBANI BOBO should be a spring bok, his last two seasons have been inspired and he is a better centre than adi jacobs. I said it, the man is at the top of his game, give him a run i say.
heed the wise words of Kambas.
Guru says:
Feb 16, 2009
Good game indeed and Kambas is correct, Luke had a solid game and so did Bobo. However, at the moment, the best 2nd centre in SA is Adi Jacobs. If it’s not broken, do not fix it. Jacobs has earned his stripes and he is playing well.
BP says:
Feb 16, 2009
adi proved a lot of critics wrong last season with strong performances, so as guru said, if it aint broke dont fix it, but with bobo in fine form and the natural partner for devilliers (if he’s not injured) i reckon he should be picked, if devilliers is injured and steyn is picked then adi should partner him….