Publications
Partners
Christo Buchner
Johannesburg – South Africa must be the only rugby nation in the world that cannot find a place for Bismarck du Plessis in its starting line-up.
It’s unlikely that even the All Blacks would pass up the opportunity, but the Springboks are simply not picking him.
Sharks coach John Plumtree must be smiling broadly about the Springbok selectors’ view that John Smit, Chiliboy Ralepelle and Bandise Maku are better hookers than Du Plessis. He must be laughing every week when pencilling in the name of Du Plessis on his teamsheet.
Du Plessis will again have a key role to play for the Sharks in Friday night’s Currie Cup match against Griquas in Durban.
With No 8 Ryan Kankowski having been called up to the Bok squad for the Test against the Wallabies, Keegan Daniel may wear the No 8 jersey, with Jacques Botes set to be Willem Alberts’ flank partner.
There will also only be certainty on fullback Louis Ludik’s concussion on Thursday morning. However, it appears as if he will not be risked and that he may rest this weekend.
Plumtree has a number of options at fullback. He can move captain Stefan Terblanche from centre to his usual position or even pick Patrick Lambie there again.
However, Lambie is playing so well at flyhalf that Plumtree may well decide to keep him there, as well as stick with Terblanche at centre.
That could open the door for former Lions star André Pretorius to make his debut for the Sharks at fullback.
Andries Strauss will also have to pass a fitness Test on Thursday morning before he is able to take his place in the Sharks’ midfield.
A new lock will have to be picked on the bench to replace the injured Ross Skeate.
Johannesburg – South Africa must be the only rugby nation in the world that cannot find a place for Bismarck du Plessis in its starting line-up.
It’s unlikely that even the All Blacks would pass up the opportunity, but the Springboks are simply not picking him.
Sharks coach John Plumtree must be smiling broadly about the Springbok selectors’ view that John Smit, Chiliboy Ralepelle and Bandise Maku are better hookers than Du Plessis. He must be laughing every week when pencilling in the name of Du Plessis on his teamsheet.
Du Plessis will again have a key role to play for the Sharks in Friday night’s Currie Cup match against Griquas in Durban.
With No 8 Ryan Kankowski having been called up to the Bok squad for the Test against the Wallabies, Keegan Daniel may wear the No 8 jersey, with Jacques Botes set to be Willem Alberts’ flank partner.
There will also only be certainty on fullback Louis Ludik’s concussion on Thursday morning. However, it appears as if he will not be risked and that he may rest this weekend.
Plumtree has a number of options at fullback. He can move captain Stefan Terblanche from centre to his usual position or even pick Patrick Lambie there again.
However, Lambie is playing so well at flyhalf that Plumtree may well decide to keep him there, as well as stick with Terblanche at centre.
That could open the door for former Lions star André Pretorius to make his debut for the Sharks at fullback.
Andries Strauss will also have to pass a fitness Test on Thursday morning before he is able to take his place in the Sharks’ midfield.
A new lock will have to be picked on the bench to replace the injured Ross Skeate.
