This weekend’s match against the Brumbies will be the first time Sharks coach John Plumtree will be making enforced changes to his team with the loss of one, possibly two players, and the possible return of one.
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Keegan Daniel participated in Tuesday morning’s training, having recovered sufficiently from the knee injury he sustained in The Sharks pre-season warm-up match against the Leopards in Pietermaritzburg in early February and could be included this weekend.
Unfortunately, The Sharks have suffered a possible double-blow at loose-forward (Keegan Daniel’s return couldn’t have come at a better time).
“Jean Deysel is possibly out for three to four weeks with ankle ligament damage, it’s not good news for us,” explained Sharks coach John Plumtree at a media conference at KINGS PARK on Tuesday afternoon.
“Hopefully it’s not worse than that but he needs another scan, although we are confident that it’s not as bad as we originally thought. He’ll hopefully be back after the bye. It’s bad news for him too, he was playing so nicely, he’s worked so hard on his rehab, he’s got himself in great shape. But that time will go quickly and he’ll be back before you know it.”
That bad news was offset by the return of campaign captain Keegan Daniel who Plumtree said had, “trained really well this morning, so we’re hoping he might be able to make a return this week, which will ease some of the pain. Jacques Botes has a suspected cracked wrist, he could be out for three to four weeks as well. If Keegan comes back, we’ll be alright, but we will definitely have to draft someone in from The Sharks XV squad.”
While there might be the argument for easing a player back into the squad and only playing off the bench, The Sharks coach is happy that Daniel could start the game.
“If Keegan is fit, he can start, he’s a naturally fit guy. He might find it a bit tough because he hasn’t played in a while but he’ll back himself. Pieter-Steph du Toit is an option at loose forward as well, but I would prefer for him to stick to one position for his development at lock; but if push came to shove, I could play him at blindside.”
Plumtree confirmed that if Daniel starts, he’ll be named captain.
Frans Steyn left the field in the 61st minute of the game, but Plumtree pointed out that there was nothing to read into replacing his captain.
“Francois had a bad week last week, he had a neck injury and wasn’t feeling good, even in the warm-up he was struggling a bit. l could tell by the way he was playing that he wasn’t happy in the game, so I got him off and Meyer came on. He’s feeling a lot better this week, I’m sure he’ll be alright.”
Said it all on the Stormers thread about this yesterday as there was no article on this.
Well losing Deysel is a massive loss for us as he was playing some of his best rugby and then to lose Botes as well is a huge blow. If Keegan is back he will start no doubt, but I would be cautious with him and bring him off the bench. Doubt it will happen as if Keegan is ready Plum will start him. Just hope he is 100% over that injury as we need him for a very long time the season is still so young and Keegan is a massive player for us so hoping if he starts he is 100% over his injury. I would have started PSDT at blindside for this game, I know Plum does not want to mess him about in positions but really if we need him for a game or two there then he has to do it for the team. Doubt he will be played there unless we really need him too.
Good luck my Sharks it will be tough, but they must not worry too much about the tries just go and win it. Right now that is all we need, once we get our big players back we can start thinking of a more attacking game.
Go Sharks!
Just thinking the last few games last year we played with Keegan, Coetzee and Kanko as our loose trio and they were ‘RED HOT’ then, probably the best loosies playing together in our conference. They were absolutely magnificent together. Light pack, but heck they had speed, were brilliant to watch. The off loading from Keegan and Marcell was superb to watch. Now think with Keegan not having game time and the start of the season it is like starting all over again. They need some game time together to play like they done last year. Also we miss Bissie HUGE, so wish he could have been back for this game.
@ Puma:
Most of the latter stages of SR last year the Sharks had Coetzee, Daniel and Kanko as the loose trio, this is actually a tried and tested loose trio. It is also when the sharks played their best offloading game.
Damn, almost feels funny to blog 😆
The Sharks team I think will face the Brumbies this weekend.
15 Ludik
14 Odwa
13 Jordaan
12 Steyn vice capt
11 JPP
10 Lambie
09 Reinach (I would prefer Mcleod)
08 Kanko
07 Coetzee
06 Daniel Capt
05 VD Merwe
04 Bresler
03 Jannie
02 Burden (I would prefer Cooper)
01 Beast
16 Cooper
17 Herbst
18 PSDT
19 Mtembu/Kleinhans
20 Mcleod
21 Bosman
22 Mvovo (rumours are he has a niggle and will play off the bench if need be)
Ok off again….
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