Bok discards to blitz Lions
The Sharks have included Jake White’s rejects Brent Russell and JP Pietersen in their starting lineup to face the Lions at Ellis Park.
Bradley Barritt and Odwa Ndungane also get run-on starts after returning from injury and will line up at flyhalf and wing respectively.
Russell and Pietersen have both not played in a competitive match in over a month, after becoming intimately acquainted with the Springbok tackle bags on the away leg of the Vodacom Tri Nations tournament.
But their natural ability and flair is sure to negate any bench-rash they might be experiencing.
Russell will play on the left-wing and Pietersen slots in at what most consider to be his best position at fullback
The unlucky trio to make way is Craig Burden, Cedric Mkhize and Francois Steyn.
All three have performed well to date, but only 19 year-old Steyn keeps his place in the squad. It is unclear whether the players are injured or whether Dick Muir has employed a rotation system.
A new look midfield pair in Andries Strauss and Waylon Murray will add a physical presence and are bound create scoring opportunities for the elusive Pietersen and Russell outside them.
In the pack, Bismarck du Plessis returns at hooker after being rested for the Sharks last game against the Valke.
Sharks team:
15 JP Pietersen 14 Odwa Ndungane 13 Waylon Murray 12 Andries Strauss 11 Brent Russell 10 Bradley Barritt 9 Scott Mathie 8 AJ Venter (captain) 7 Jacques Botes 6 Warren Britz 5 Steven Sykes 4 Wouter Moore 3 Danie Saayman 2 Bismarck du Plessis 1 Kees Lensing Substitutes: 16 Skipper Badenhorst
17 Robbie Harris 18 Keegan Daniel 19 Ryan Kankowski 20 Sandile Nxumalo 21 Gcobani Bobo 22 Francois Steyn
By Ryan Vrede
August 16th, 2006 at 2:15 pm
Weeeepeeeee!
August 16th, 2006 at 2:15 pm
Ish gonna be a cwacker…
August 16th, 2006 at 2:19 pm
“…are bound to create scoring opportunities…”
Getting a little ahead of ourself there, Ryan?
August 16th, 2006 at 2:22 pm
FOUR top businessmen with strong links to the ANC are believed to be heading a high-powered consortium bidding to take a substantial shareholding in the three provincial rugby unions that make up the Southern Spears Super 14 franchise.
In a letter addressed to SA Rugby boss Oregan Hoskins, Spears chief executive Tony McKeever identified the men behind the consortium as SAA chief executive Khaya Ngqula, top businessman Saki Macozoma, ANC national spokesman Smuts Ngonyama and former head of the National Prosecuting Authority Bulelani Ngcuka.
The consortium is apparently seeking to buy the 24,9 per cent stake sport management company Sail currently owns in Eastern Province, South Western Districts and Border.
August 16th, 2006 at 2:24 pm
Hell, it’s a star studded side and plenty of raw talent that has been exposed to the rigours of Super 14 and currie cup rugby. If they fire on all cylinders on sat I expect a cricket score. Personally, I would have gone for Steyn at 10, he is a big lad and a natural #10, although I do rate Barritt highly. Would rather have gone for the Barritt / Murry combo which dominated the U21 W.C. Don’t be suprised if that is the side that takes the park. I also have my doubts about lofie actually starting Van Schalkwyk at 10 for the Pussies!!!He might pull a ****/Rassie and play Earl!
August 16th, 2006 at 2:25 pm
Katman, what part of that is he getting ahead of himself on? Bound (not definate) to create scoring oppurtunities (there are going to be a lot of scoring oppurtunities in the match, a lot of which won’t result in tries).
Wee bit sensitive Katman, but I will get ahead of myself and say Sharks by 20!!
August 16th, 2006 at 2:29 pm
Sharks have too much x-factor in their team. Going to be a nailbiter! Sharks to win, by just.
August 16th, 2006 at 2:34 pm
No Mr Vrede!
It is not unclear whether Craig Burden is injured, it is very clear. He is injured!
August 16th, 2006 at 2:34 pm
Post #4
Gives the Spears some significant clout. Great move Tony! Up the Spears!
August 16th, 2006 at 2:35 pm
***** cats to go down by 12 points
August 16th, 2006 at 2:41 pm
pekkie – What is Steyn’s first name? By the way your nickname is ruddy funny
August 16th, 2006 at 2:43 pm
It’s about time our new elite put some of their easily picked up millions into developement.
Fantastic gentleman. Nice to see. Hope it pays dividends!!!!
August 16th, 2006 at 2:43 pm
All we need is a few other names, the we’re back in the army.
bok_ballas
roes_peop
eier_kop
etter
cont_gesiggie
min_dae
August 16th, 2006 at 2:52 pm
the lions are gonna get mauled.
August 16th, 2006 at 3:00 pm
These poor lions are gonna get slaughtered…
Barrit/Murray centre combo would also have been my choice with either steyn/brent on flyhalf… unfortunately Burden is injured….
SHARKS 42 Lions 20
August 16th, 2006 at 3:02 pm
pekkie don’t worry just checked sharksrugby.co.za. So this young Francious Steyn is 19 and weighs 100kg!! Lets hope he is in the Bok mix for RWC2011
August 16th, 2006 at 3:09 pm
Hey, who will take the kicks?
August 16th, 2006 at 3:11 pm
Barrit…
August 16th, 2006 at 3:12 pm
The entire Sharks team is set to take some nasty kicks.
August 16th, 2006 at 3:14 pm
Gotta admire you optimism katman…
August 16th, 2006 at 3:17 pm
Just admire my team.
August 16th, 2006 at 3:20 pm
Russell will probably do the kicking duties.
August 16th, 2006 at 3:22 pm
JP pieterson to run over Jaco van Schalkwyk.
August 16th, 2006 at 3:22 pm
I don’t see what all the hype is about that backline…..
Waylon has played quite well but has not set anyone alight….
Odwa and Russell are sure to be the stand-outs….and both are very exciting…..
Barrit reminds me of the “prop at centre” jokes we always made about the Bulls centres……Barrit is just slower than any of them ever were…..
The scrummy has not had much game time….but sure he will do well from what I’ve seen…but the backline will lose a few yards without Pienaar…
Andries Strauss is a great defensive player, but create scoring opportunities, when has he ever done that or Waylon for that matter…..
So the only two that I am confident in creating opportunities is either the forwards creating overlaps with their drives or Russell and Odwa individual brilliance……
Other than that I don’t expect “fireworks” from THAT backline…..but expect a good game never the less….
August 16th, 2006 at 3:24 pm
Lions!
First we beat them by 5 points … then we should follow the example set by the Force and buy their young Sharks.
August 16th, 2006 at 3:34 pm
Middag Meneer Katman.
August 16th, 2006 at 3:36 pm
Goeiemiddag, Juffrou Dawn.
August 16th, 2006 at 3:39 pm
Kan ek Meneer se koffie nou maak?
August 16th, 2006 at 3:40 pm
pretty good sharks team, but they can do better.
if AP was there, you’d fancy another cats shock, oh well, time will tell.
August 16th, 2006 at 3:50 pm
Later. Moet my nie pla nie. En praat net met my wanneer ek met jou praat. Dis al, dankie.
August 16th, 2006 at 4:03 pm
Jammer Meneer. Sal nie weer nie.
August 16th, 2006 at 6:03 pm
This Sharks team may not be the finished article yet, but theres a good feeling and an excitement about the team reminiscent of the 90’s
August 16th, 2006 at 7:05 pm
Come Saturday afternoon that “good feeling” will have gone up in smoke. But enjoy it until then.
August 17th, 2006 at 2:57 am
Lions to win this one as well.
August 17th, 2006 at 7:25 am
Tomcat, I also gave the Sharks a win by 12 in a previous thread!
Leeanthonyw #11: I see you have the name now. Great prospect. Got the nickname back in school and when I joined Wits Rugger Club the nickname stuck but for different reasons than originally developed!!!
August 17th, 2006 at 9:46 am
If we continue to play positive rugby, improve with each game, and maintain the current level of passion, the good feeling will remain. Win or lose.