Lock depth Sharks’ major concern
17 Jan 2012
Sharks coach John Plumtree is banking on his frontline locks to deliver in the absence of experienced deputies.
With an extended Super Rugby campaign, squad depth is going to be a decisive factor in the success of any franchise. The Bulls have undoubtedly been hardest hit in this regard, with 13 players having left the franchise – among those eight recent or former Springboks.
However, the Sharks haven’t been unaffected in this regard, with veteran hooker John Smit opting to end his career at Saracens and utility back Stefan Terblanche doing the same with Ulster.
The Durban franchise’s biggest losses, in the context of the squad, have, however, come in the second row department. Coach John Plumtree pointed to this as their major concern ahead of a season where they hope to end their Super Rugby title drought.
‘Lock could be a problem,’Plumtree said. ‘We have lost both our starting locks from the end of last season, Gerhard Mostert [Stade Francais] and Steven Sykes [Leinster], and they are difficult to replace. The pressure is going to be on Ross Skeate and Alistair Hargreaves to deliver.”
The Sharks have the option of using Jean Deysel in the second row, given that the back row bruiser is unlikely to start ahead of Willem Alberts or Ryan Kankowski.
Plumtree also pointed to his midfield as a focal point, conceding that those granted opportunities there in 2011 fell short of expectations.
‘We had a problem at centre in 2011 but we are expecting a big improvement from Meyer Bosman this season now that he is settled. He started to make big strides towards the end of last season and we are excited about what he offers us. We have lost Stefan Terblanche but have gained Marius Joubert and Tim Whitehead.
‘We have been working hard on the conditioning of Frederic Michalak and Marius Joubert, but particularly Marius. It doesn’t appear the French clubs place much importance on the conditioning process, and Marius arrived here in 2011 [from Clermont] a bit short of where he needed to be from a conditioning point of view. I’m sure that now that we’ve put him through a conditioning programme he will be ready to make a big contribution. I’m expecting us to have much more stability in the midfield this year.’
Plumtree has already indicated that Pat Lambie will be used predominantly as a flyhalf, with Michalak providing pivot and scrumhalf [where he started his career] cover. With the arrival of Riaan Viljoen from the Cheetahs they are well stocked at fullback, allowing the 21-year-old Lambie an extended run in the position widely regarded to be his best.
By Ryan Vrede
157 Comments
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18 Jan 2012, 07:22 am
@BuckT-129: I was there on Day 2 and Day 3. My first time at a test match! On Day 2 i was in the sun on the railway stand and Day 3 i was in the cool shade on the north stand. I totally enjoyed it. I will make this an annual expedition. I also used public transport to get there…..to add to the adventure and save money on petrol!
18 Jan 2012, 07:34 am
@Sasuke-150:
No problem, saw your earlier question only now but was always going to do it.
18 Jan 2012, 07:45 am
@Slartibartfast-152: Are you playing any superugby fantasy league?
18 Jan 2012, 11:00 am
@bryce_in_oz-17:
You’re reaching with some of those names. Samo is hardly a international quality lock. Dout he will have much left in tank at 39yrs old this coming yr. Timani is massive but useless.Got outjumped and smashed by NZ reject Kane Thompson vs Samoa last year-shouldnt be anywhere near a Test jumper.
Vickerman is hardly the player he once was,one will see how he does in upcoming season but is well ova 30.Sharpe is on downward spiral,wasnt even in Matfield league last year and Big Vic has called it a day…The rest you named are all much of muchness really. Hugh Pyle?? Lol,Ben Hand??Peter Kimlin,Wallace Harrison??? Hahaha no mate all those 1 Test capped nobodies which seem to be littered from Jones & Connolly tenures(Byrne played for Russia thus not eligible for Oz he was ancient anyway).Next you going to list Daniel Heenan or Chisholm…Talent stocks can be THAt deep when Jake White has been going hammer & tongs to sign Danie Rossouw(Japan)f to add to thin stocks at Brumbies
SA is not at its all time best lockwise in talent stocks but to allude to Australia being the “lock capital of the world” all of a sudden is a bit of a stretch. Barring Horwill none of the locks in OZ are truly world class.
SA has Bakkies(not retired from internationals),Flip vd Merwe,Juandre Kruger,Andries Bekker,Franco vd Merwe,Wilhelm Steenkamp,Allister Hargreaves,Mostert(still eligible)
Then some real sized blindsides who can/have played lock in: Willem Alberts,Jean Deysel,Duanne Vermeulen,Lappies Labuschagne,Arno Botha,Jacques Potgieter,Michael Rhodes,Josh Strauss.
Young locks in: Eben Etzebeth, Quinn Roux, Andre Marais,Ruan Venter,Ruan Botha,Paul Willemse(he’s massive 2.00m 125kgs),Stephan Lewies
So mate relax,SA will be fine
18 Jan 2012, 11:14 am
you said it Mshini now to try re educate that jumping kangaroo into the real world of locking potential which still remains a SA stronghold marketplace
18 Jan 2012, 11:51 am
@WP Till I Die-107:
@the artist formerly known as gunther-110:
very delicately put. 
19 Jan 2012, 10:53 am
This should be the Sharks starting 22…..
15. Riaan Viljoen.
14. J.P. Pieterson.
13. Marius Joubert.
12. Francois Steyn.
11. Lwazi Mvovo.
10. Patrick Lambie.
9. Frederic Michalak.
8. Ryan Kankowski.
7. Willem Alberts.
6. Keegan Daniels (c).
5. Alistair Hargreaves.
4. Ross Skeate.
3. Jannie Du Plessis.
2. Bismark Du Plessis.
1. Tendai Mtawarira.
16. Wiehan Herbst.
17. Craig Burden.
18. Jean Deysel.
19. Marcell Coetzee.
20. Charl McLeod.
21. Meyer Bosman.
22. Louis Ludik.
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