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Sharks call up Skeate and Kankowski
Former Western Province lock Ross Skeate will make his first start for the Sharks against the Cheetahs in a team that has a massive emphasis on forward power.
Apart from Skeate getting his first run-on opportunity after twice playing off the bench, the crunch Absa Currie Cup showdown with the Sharks’ bogey team in Bloemfontein will also see the return of a smattering of Springboks and players who have been injured.
Neither of the two Du Plessis brothers are back just yet. Tighthead prop Jannie du Plessis is still recovering from the injury that forced him home before the end of the Springboks’ overseas Tri-Nations campaign. And the Sharks management have decided to give hooker Bismarck another week to get used to the bruising that comes with a return to full contact.
However Ryan Kankowski, who started at No 7 flank for the Boks against Australia in Brisbane last week, is back in the side -- at his preferred position of No 8. Beast Mtawarira, who has yet to get an opportunity for the Boks since having his eligibility problems sorted out, will play off the bench, with Eugene van Staden also adding to the front-row resources.
Last year the front-row was the Cheetahs strong-point when they beat the Sharks in a Currie Cup semifinal, and Sharks coach John Plumtree clearly hasn’t forgotten that. He has also underlined the importance of ball carrying ability among the forwards by including both Willem Alberts and Jean Deysel on the bench.
Alberts returned from injury last week in a bench role against the Pumas, while Deysel has yet to play this season after undergoing an operation at the end of the Super 14 season. Both are important players in Plumtree’s long-term plans, and he will be hoping they can quickly regain their old momentum.
A bit of a surprising inclusion in the team is Ruan Pienaar, who is heading for Ulster shortly (September 4). Pienaar started for the Boks in last week’s defeat to the Wallabies. He lacked sharpness in his kicking, so hopefully he will get some game-time for the Sharks in the next few weeks so that it won’t be a problem should he be required for any of the home leg fixtures.
Sharks team: Louis Ludik, JP Pietersen, Stefan Terblanche (captain), Patrick Lambie, Lwazi Mvovo, Steve Meyer, Charl McLeod, Ryan Kankowski, Keegan Daniel, Jacques Botes, Ross Skeate, Steven Sykes, Wiehahn Herbst, Craig Burden, Patric Cilliers. Reserves: Kyle Cooper, Tendai Mtawarira, Eugene van Staden, Willem Alberts, Jean Deysel, Ruan Pienaar, Andries Strauss.
