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Mixed injury fortunes for Sharks ahead of Super Rugby quarter-final
By Online Editors
Following the Sharks dramatic 12-9 victory over the Stormers on Saturday, Head Coach Robert du Preez has selected a 27-man squad for this coming weekend’s Super Rugby quarter-final clash with the Brumbies in Canberra.
The team departed for Australia on Sunday evening without 'the Beast', Tendai Mtawarira, who will not make the trip after his withdrawal with a knee niggle from the Stormers match. Philip van der Walt and Jean-Luc du Preez have also not yet been passed fit to play, although Craig Burden has been included after picking up a hamstring tweak that ruled him out of Saturday’s match. Further good news is the inclusion of Curwin Bosch who also missed the Stormers game but is now fully fit.
“The Stormers are a fantastic side and the game could have gone either way,” said Robert du Preez following the team’s win that secured a top eight finish and a place in the play-offs in a drama-filled final weekend of Vodacom Super Rugby action.
“The game was in the balance all the way to the final hooter, but I thought the character the boys showed was tremendous and that vindicated everything this team is about on attack and defence.
“We were dominant the whole game and scored two tries. But rugby is a cruel game, a game of moments.”
Sharks Touring Squad:
Forwards
Coenie Oosthuizen
Cullen Collopy
Craig Buren
Daniel du Preez
Gideon Koegelenberg
Hyron Andrews
Jacques Vermeulen
John-Hubert Meyer
Juan Schoeman
Kerron van Vuuren
Luke Stringer
Mzamo Majola
Ruben van Heerden
Thomas du Toit
Tyler Paul
Backs
Louis Schreuder (Captain)
Andre Esterhuizen
Aphelele Fassi
Cameron Wright
Curwin Bosch
Jeremy Ward
Kobus van Wyk
Lukhanyo Am
Makazola Mapimpi
Robert du Preez
Rhyno Smith
S'bu Nkosi
You may also like: Christian Lealiifano talks about his decision to leave the Brumbies
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Latest Comments
Agreed. A very good comparison. On the day they can beat anyone.
You can never be sure which team is pitching up until the whistle blows.
I think Contemponi is a fabulous coach.
Go to commentsUmm - really?
He goes on to say that they just need to deal with the Bok scrums, lineouts and territorial game. Those are not one or two little things ...
Besides, I suspect Tony Brown would like to see his new attacking philosophy clicking against Wales. That involves a lot more than set pieces and kicking. And Gatland might want to be ready for it.
For me the big question is whether the Boks retain their shape and intensity, regardless of the scoreline. If they do that then it could be a cricket score.
But there have been times this year when we have seen them get into a kind of error strewn, shelter shelter, hot potato mode on attack. Hope we don't see that, because it is silly and ineffective. Also boring.
I would love to see the new Bok plan in full flight. But, sadly, my expectation is that we will be another England-like post-game interview, with Rassie "taking the win" but declaring that they did not play the way they intended to.
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