Sharks in better shape
24 Jan 2013
Sharks coach John Plumtree is satisfied with the depth in his squad this season.
The Durban-based franchise began last year’s tournament without injured players like Beast Mtawarira, Jean Deysel, Willem Alberts and Ryan Kankowski, and lost their opening two matches, against the Bulls and Stormers.
Plumtree, though, is confident they will avoid a repeat in 2013. This time round, only two players are injured, Bismarck du Plessis (who is expected to be back in April) and prop Dale Chadwick, who is out for four to six weeks with a stress fracture in his foot.
‘If you look at our squad, there is good depth in the backs, good depth in the locks now, and good depth among the loose forwards,’ Plumtree told the Sharks website. ‘There is really good competition for places and with the two trial games coming up [against the Leopards in Pietermaritzburg on 8 February and the Pumas in Nelspruit a week later] we’ll get the opportunity to see how everyone performs.’
While the Sharks no longer have the services of Steven Sykes (Kings), Ross Skeate (Agen) and Frederic Michalak (Toulon), they have made two good acquisitions in former Lions duo Butch James and Franco van der Merwe (the latter on loan), which will add depth in key positions.
‘Butch and Franco have done well,’ said Plumtree. ‘Franco is really enjoying it here. Although it is different to what he is used to, he looks to have settled in nicely. Butch knows our system, knows how we operate here and it’s really just coming back to family for him. He’s been great.’
206 Comments
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24 Jan 2013, 09:51 am
I think that Franco van der Merwe is his best signing
24 Jan 2013, 09:55 am
To be honest, Michalak was there big moment player last season, I would bet that they would never have made it to the final without him.
They will truggle without him.
24 Jan 2013, 10:47 am
Disagree re Fred. Lambie the go to man at 10 with Butch to provide comfort in squad depth in that position. Sharks to win conference and Sharks to win tournament.
24 Jan 2013, 10:57 am
@keo-3:
Keo no news from Loftus?
You are supposed to be a Bulls supporter for goodness sake.
24 Jan 2013, 10:59 am
@keo-3: I think Fred made a big impact, but as you say – between Lambie and Butch you have a quality player plying his trade (who will also be under the mentorship of one of the best attacking FH’s of all time – look what he did for Jantjies’ game…) and an old head who is cool under pressure and will both impart knowledge and provide cover.
I think the Sharks are in a very good space…
24 Jan 2013, 11:12 am
@gunther-4: Far too busy buttering up the guppie boggers who left en-masse.
Nikita is history, so a concerted effort is being made to bring Puma and co back into the fold?
I’m also keen for some Bulls news to be honest (andyouknowhowfuckingsadthatis?)
24 Jan 2013, 11:16 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-6:
It’s almost like Keo is persona non grata at Loftus.
So Nikita fell on her sword?
As long as it didn’t puncture her implants.
24 Jan 2013, 11:21 am
Sharks will give good account of themselves having decent squad on average.
But no real game breakers except maybe JPP.
24 Jan 2013, 11:47 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-6: Nikita is history???Too much of a maverick?.Sad
24 Jan 2013, 11:52 am
@gunther-7:
Your comments are going to deflate her a bit.
24 Jan 2013, 11:57 am
Good squad.
My concerns would be a quality back-up loosehead. It’s a pity the Sharks couldn’t do a loan deal with JC Janse van Rensburg.
They have plenty quality loosies but no recognised fetcher.
They also really need to improve the lineouts. Hopefully with Franco there that will be addressed.
24 Jan 2013, 11:59 am
@Helderberg-8:
No gamebreakers? So you don’t consider Frans Steyn, Paul Jordaan or Lambie as gamebreakers then I assume?
24 Jan 2013, 12:04 pm
Sharks have plenty of ‘game-breakers’.
I’d put down Bismarck du Plessis & Keegan Daniel among those. They can turn a game on its head.
In the backs you’ve got Patrick Lambie, Frans Steyn & JP Pietersen. Paul Jordaan also freakish line-breaker on his day, who is coming along nicely.
I’d be most concerned about their consistency. They drop way too many games that they should be winning.
But this will be a very good year for SA sides IMO.
24 Jan 2013, 12:05 pm
@hendrikp-13:
Except for the Kings, they’re gonna suck.
A couple of 100 point defeats wouldn’t surprise.
24 Jan 2013, 12:08 pm
@WP-Forever-10:
She’ll bounce back.
24 Jan 2013, 12:08 pm
@pokkel-12:
I think the sharks locks played above themselves last season. Some really powerful performances by them and the frontrowers in 3 (inparticular games- bulls,stormers,reds)
And Freddie M saved their arses as well.
24 Jan 2013, 12:09 pm
@gunther-7: I’m not sure if she’s still round here. Someone said yesterday that Tank and Keo are on their own mission now. Keo took his blog back from HSM, and all the other fellas (Nikita 2 I presume?) will be remaining with HSM. http://www.sarugbymag.co.za or something? Transie posted this.
So Keo and Tank are now tag teaming, and the rest will be with the sarugbymag blog? Someone could possibly answer?
@ryecatcher-9: Morning Rye
See my message to Gunther. Not 100% sure, just repeating what someone said yesterday re: the website.
24 Jan 2013, 12:11 pm
@hendrikp-13:
keegan cullen wouldn’t make the match 15 if I was coach.
Okay player who does a bit of this and a bit of that. doubt he’ll damage the top sides.
24 Jan 2013, 12:13 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-17: Really? No more of the stupidity from the deadly duesome????????
24 Jan 2013, 12:13 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-17:
Keo and Tank tag teaming?
I’m trying to erase that mental snapshot.
24 Jan 2013, 12:16 pm
@mikeybrass-19:
You mean no more stupidity?
You have been infected by the dreaded ET syntax virus.
Please reboot.
24 Jan 2013, 12:20 pm
@gunther-21: The deadly duo took stupidity to new heights.
24 Jan 2013, 12:26 pm
@gunther-15:
You mean she’ll eventually come back round?
24 Jan 2013, 12:30 pm
@gunther-21: Once you’ve been infected with that littlefuckerofavirus, rebooting won’t help…..
24 Jan 2013, 12:35 pm
@mikeybrass-22:
South Africa has always been a world leader in the sheltered employment field.
@WP-Forever-23:
In sure there’ll be a sequel.
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-24:
We’ll need to quarantine the naughty little rhesus.
24 Jan 2013, 12:38 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-24:
Indeed. You’ll need to repent, and go worship at the ALTER OF TRUTH.
24 Jan 2013, 12:39 pm
@gunther-4: Actually the Bulls situation doesn’t look all that good. Lots of injury concerns:
Brenden Nel – SuperSport
Pretoria – Vodacom Bulls lock Wilhelm Steenkamp will miss the opening weeks of the 2013 Super Rugby season due to a shoulder injury, it was announced on Tuesday.
According to the supersport.com website, Steenkamp will see a specialist on an AC tear and will be out of action for between four and six weeks.
According to Bulls team doctor Org Strauss, a number of players are suffering from injuries that could prevent them from playing in the side’s first friendly of the season, against the Lions on February 2, at the Orlando Stadium.
Zane Kirchner (back, two weeks), Dewald Potgieter (back, two weeks) and Werner Kruger (back spasm, two weeks) will be in the swimming pool instead of the training pitch for the next two weeks.
This follows the injury to Dean Greyling last week, with a stress fracture to his foot ruling out the prop for at least four more weeks. To add to their woes, prop Frik Kirsten is suffering from migraine and will only see limited action this week, while wider training group prop Basil Short injured his AC joint and will be out for two weeks.
Springbok touring squad member Arno Botha has another week to go before he can take to the field following a groin operation, but national team-mates Chiliboy Ralepelle and Jacques Potgieter are back in training.
Former Junior Boks Tony Jantjies (groin, two weeks) and Wiaan Liebenberg (hamstring, one week) will return to squad soon.
Rudy Paige (ankle), Grant Hattingh (ankle), Bjorn Basson (ankle) and Akona Ndungane (groin) will be fit to train on Thursday.
24 Jan 2013, 12:43 pm
Keo’s kiss of death to the Sharks
As they say : “Shot Bru”
24 Jan 2013, 12:45 pm
@Dawn-28:
This is the Sharks’ year.
Defo.
24 Jan 2013, 12:51 pm
@gunther-25: The blog is a pleasanter place without logging in in the morning and seeing a new stupid entry from them.
24 Jan 2013, 12:51 pm
@WP-Forever-29:
Don’t try and worm your way into underdog status.
It’s been the Stormers year for the last 4 years.
24 Jan 2013, 12:53 pm
This year is definitely going to be our year.
Honest.
24 Jan 2013, 13:00 pm
@gunther-31: It’s the Sardines who have told us for the last year we’re the underdogs.
24 Jan 2013, 13:00 pm
@stormersboy-32: Our chances will be better if Grant doesn’t leapfrog Jantjies and JdV doesn’t start the important games at 12…. The latter is a fantasy.
24 Jan 2013, 13:04 pm
@mikeybrass-34: Ja, it was said tongue in cheek but still, we’ve got as good a shot as each of the past 3 or 4 years. Better in some ways as you say, with the Lions guys. I’d start with Elton, Jean is a definite starter whichever way we prefer it but i guess we’ll have to see how they do over the long season, we have a tough start, but a playoff is likely and we’ll go from there I guess.
24 Jan 2013, 13:05 pm
if sharks were to lose beast or jannie they would be in big trouble. Chadwick is out injured already and so they are left with Bell and Herbst as bench cover. Stormers seem to have better depth in all areas apart from their hooker crisis although looks like they will get that bezeidehoet chap with tian back soon and deon f is rarely injured.
with the basis being that both teams should win all their home games and away derbies against all s.a teams bar each other then it comes down to the tour. (Bulls i expect to finish outside the top 6 this year) Here the stormers have a much easier time than the Sharks and its why i predict that they will top the conference for a home semi. However both teams should be right up there and if the sharks have consistency with bonus points then they could top the table even with a poorer win ratio. Could easily be a Stormers Sharks semi, Home ground to be decided with either Highlanders or crusaders traveling to s.a for the final. Kings and cheetahs will make it hard for the competitive kiwi teams to top the table so thats why i have them traveling south. Aus confrence will be interesting really could go three ways but no real trophy contenders with injuries bound to take their toll. if i had to bet though id go for the Reds.
24 Jan 2013, 13:06 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl-18:
You do know he was SA super player of the year last year.
24 Jan 2013, 13:08 pm
@Dawn-28:
Keo actually started to pick them right last years S15.
He picked the Sharks over the Stormers and the Reds in the Quarters and Semis and then picked the Chiefs for a big win over Sharks in the Final.
As long as its not HG shouting the odds, Sharks will avoid the curse.
24 Jan 2013, 13:11 pm
@stormersboy-35: As much as I used to like JdV, fluid backline movement comes to a screeching halt with him at 12
24 Jan 2013, 13:11 pm
@mikeybrass-39: Much like a “Mowbreeyyyy – KaapstaD” minibus along Claremont main road.
24 Jan 2013, 13:15 pm
@stormersboy-32:
Can I get an amen?
24 Jan 2013, 13:20 pm
@gunther-41: Amen Brutha
24 Jan 2013, 13:24 pm
@John Galt-38: Like that’s ever going to happen.
24 Jan 2013, 13:54 pm
Two first class teams could easily be made out of the mountain of talent we have. The challenge for positions will be intense.
24 Jan 2013, 13:56 pm
@rvanaardt-36:
Did you not read the article on the young signings?
24 Jan 2013, 14:07 pm
@Predawn-45:
yes i did. good news for Sharks but props take a long time to develop. Plum would do well to try and buy a versatile prop like Cilliers as cover. I know that ship sailed but someone in the same elk. better now than later and ending up with a frans steyn situation and not being able to play come play off time.
some great young talent at the Sharks though, very interested to see how they develop.
24 Jan 2013, 14:10 pm
@rvanaardt-46:
Yes and what’s more is that most of the okes are over a hundered kaygees and tall. The Sharks have realised that size still does make the difference in rugby union.
No Aplons for us thanks.
24 Jan 2013, 14:15 pm
@gunther-25: Who said anything about quarantine? I’m talking euthafuckingnasia. For ET it would in fact be kindest.
@WP-Forever-26: Will there be a ‘collection’ during this service?
@WP-Forever-29: Mormonhifives all round. Defo.
@Predawn-47: Your waffling would be far more credible if you didn’t have an 8th man who was lifted by the Argie maul and carried along on their backs for about 7 metres…….
24 Jan 2013, 14:34 pm
@Predawn-47:
a lot of the time young rugby players excel at junior level because of their size and then fade when they play big time because of their lack of skill or Game reading. A lot of those signings could easily be exposed in their later careers. That said size does make up for lack of skill just as Skill makes up for lack of size. K.D and Aplon are prime examples.
24 Jan 2013, 14:43 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-48: Anyone who has time for crowd surfing in a rugby match just not have his mind on the job.
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