Sharks lose another loosie
19 Feb 2013
RICHARD FERGUSON reports that the Sharks have finally come clean about Willem Alberts’ injury.
The Springbok loose forward will be undergoing surgery to correct an injured shoulder, which rules him out of action for at least the first four weeks of Super Rugby action. This adds to the injury of another loose forward, Keegan Daniel, who will miss the first four weeks at least.
This leaves the Sharks with Marcell Coetzee, Jean Deysel, Jacques Botes, Lubabalo Mthembu and Francois Kleinhans to choose from, while Ryan Kankowski is back in Durban following his stint in Japan, but it is believed he needs to strengthen up before playing Super Rugby.
Sharks coach John Plumtree is likely to play Coetzee and Deysel together on the side of the scrum while Mthembu starting off the back. Jacques Botes did impress during preseason and could well force his way into the starting team, which would force a reshuffle and Coetzee potentially playing off the back of the scrum.
The Sharks start their Super Rugby campaign in Bloemfontein against the Cheetahs on Saturday evening.

14 Comments
19 Feb 2013, 09:02 am
bissy and alberts my main fears from a Stormers perspective
19 Feb 2013, 09:03 am
Although I am also a huge Marcell Coetsee fan….what a machine!
19 Feb 2013, 09:09 am
@grant10-1: Then you should be alright because both of them are out injured.
Yes Marcell is a more than able replacement.
19 Feb 2013, 09:25 am
Mthembu must utilise this opportunity in the same manner as Kolisi, otherwise….
19 Feb 2013, 10:43 am
Richard I have it Kanko will be ready for the start of SR, he was left out of the warm up match for strengthening purposes, Match fitness was not a problem for him as he had been playing till the weekend before his return to Durban, so my guess is he will play against thew Cheetahs.
I believe the loose trio will be Kanko, Deysel, Coetzee with Botes and Mtembu off the bench
19 Feb 2013, 12:20 pm
I really hope Kanko is fit/plays. His form last year showed him as SA’s best #8 – bar none !! And a loose trio of Kanko, Deysel and Coetzee is EXTREMELY formidable, if not the best balanced combo in the SA franchise group. Botes remains the unsung hero of Sharks rugby…. It will be interesting to see what the rest of the team will be. And I really look forward to Bismarcks return to Sharks and SA rugby….we have both missed him.
19 Feb 2013, 16:14 pm
Deysel average – Kanko and Coetsee class
19 Feb 2013, 16:18 pm
The Sharks are spoilt for choice. The good thing is that different combinations can now be tested.
19 Feb 2013, 18:47 pm
well as least Lubabalo will get a run, his the best of our young flankers
19 Feb 2013, 18:52 pm
Is the Sharks squad stronger than the Stormers as we’re continually told? The mercenaries have turned the Stormers into the team with the most depth IMO.
19 Feb 2013, 19:06 pm
@W.P-10: Yes, you are right. Mercenaries have turned the Stormers into the team with the most depth. All 22 mercenaries the Stormers poached from all over the country.
19 Feb 2013, 19:24 pm
Sharks have good depth but still, with the key players out, hopefully the Cheetahs can pull it off.
19 Feb 2013, 19:35 pm
Dusky don’t worry though – the Sharks talent scouts are out in full force in the Cape again. They know where to look for talent.
20 Feb 2013, 01:44 am
The Goose is waiting in Bloem! …
Known as Johan Goosen, Springbok Flyhalf.
He is stronger, fitter and very fresh after few months rehah.
Willie le Roux and Raymond Rhule to round off tries.
Sarel Pretorius as impact player can be dangerous …
Go Cheetahs!
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