Under fire coach John Plumtree released his team that will take on the Waratahs this weekend.
The Sharks are desperate for a win which sees them currently 0 from 3.
With this in mind it was expected Plumtree might make a few changes which he duly did – with some surprises at hand.
Andy Goode starts at 10 for the Sharks this weekend after a disappointing debut for the franchise last weekend against the Crusaders where he got a yellow card before even breaking a sweat.
This crucially sees Ruan Pienaar, a guy Plumtree backs as the best 9 at the Sharks, take duty at scrumhalf with Rory Kockett moving to the bench.
Waylon Murray also finds himself on the bench again with Adi Jacobs at 13, and Riaan Swannepoel doing duty in the 12 jersey.
Jean Deysel finds himself on the bench again with Keegan Daniel preferred in the 6 jersey, partnered by Willem Alberts at 7 and the only forward in any decent form, Kankowski at 8.
Another crucial selection is John Smit back in the number 2 jersey as he continues his musical chairs routine with Bismarck du Plessis who is back on the bench.
Bismarck’s brother Jannie takes over the number 3 jersey, while the Beast is also relegated to the bench in place of Deon Carstens who starts at loosehead (that is jersey 1 Dawie).
Sharks team:
15. Stefan Terblanche
14. Odwa Ndungane
13. Adrian Jacobs
12. Riaan Swanepoel
11. JP Pietersen (50th cap)
10. Andrew Goode
9. Ruan Pienaar
8. Ryan Kankowski
7. Willem Alberts
6. Keegan Daniel
5. Johann Muller
4. Steven Sykes
3. Jannie du Plessis
2. John Smit ©
1. Deon Carstens
Replacements
16. Bismarck du Plessis
17. Tendai Mtawarira
18. Wilhelm Steenkamp
19. Jean Deysel
20. Jacques Botes
21. Rory Kockott
22. Waylon Murray
March 4th, 2010 at 11:34 am
At least “Mr. Stand still when receiving the ball” Murray is dropped to the bench!
How good is this Swanepo#$?
March 4th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
Reply to JT @ 11:34 am:
Ja Naas sal nooit daardie een oorleef nie
March 4th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
Plumtree just dropped the Sharks best player in Kockott… surprise surprise… following his tenure an ruining of Piri Weepu’s career at Wellington to the tee!
Play an exciting performing player to a boorish game plan… into the ground week in and out… then drop him… what a plonker!
March 4th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
Reply to JT @ 11:34 am:
A bit one dimensional but solid… but better than RP @10 and should have been played there all along with RP on the bench…
Plumtree-for-brain doesn’t back the youngsters coming out of the Sharks ranks like the Bulls have done…