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Johannesburg - What to do with John Smit?
That is one of the tough questions Sharks coach John Plumtree will have to face ahead of Saturday's all-or-nothing Super Rugby match against the Bulls in Pretoria.
It's pretty much a final for the Sharks as a defeat will take them out of the race. That is why they need to field their strongest starting line-up.
It won't help to send on impact players to rescue the situation in the last 30 minutes against the Bulls.
Bismarck du Plessis has to be at hooker from the start, and with his brother Jannie once again ready to play, they should make up the front row with Beast Mtawarira at loosehead prop.
There is no place for sentiment against the powerful Bulls combination of Werner Kruger, Gary Botha and Dean Greyling. The Sharks simply have to field their strongest team.
That means that Smit, who was replaced after just 47 minutes against the Lions after failing to make a significant impact, has to be among the substitutes.
Only time will tell what happens behind the scenes and whether Plumtree is allowed to make the call with the bigger Springbok picture in mind.
The Sharks will also only make a call later this week on whether Steven Sykes will play. He injured a knee against the Lions and is in a race against time to be fit.
If Sykes cannot play, Alistair Hargreaves or Ross Skeate could come into the picture.
Whoever steps into the Sharks' lineout will probably be "mauled" by Victor Matfield and his fellow lock in any case.
Loose forwards Jean Deysel and Willem Alberts will be up for consideration as their driving play was missed against the Lions and will be needed against the Bulls.
The Bulls have a very impressive pack and the Sharks could struggle in the set phases.
The champion team would certainly have taken note of how the Lions forwards scored two tries from lineout drives. If the Sharks fail to come up with a counter, they could expect the same medicine at Loftus.
Plumtree said on Monday that it would take a big effort to stop the Bulls.
"We wanted to avoid this situation - where we need to go to Pretoria and have to win to make the playoffs."
Johannesburg - What to do with John Smit?
That is one of the tough questions Sharks coach John Plumtree will have to face ahead of Saturday's all-or-nothing Super Rugby match against the Bulls in Pretoria.
It's pretty much a final for the Sharks as a defeat will take them out of the race. That is why they need to field their strongest starting line-up.
It won't help to send on impact players to rescue the situation in the last 30 minutes against the Bulls.
Bismarck du Plessis has to be at hooker from the start, and with his brother Jannie once again ready to play, they should make up the front row with Beast Mtawarira at loosehead prop.
There is no place for sentiment against the powerful Bulls combination of Werner Kruger, Gary Botha and Dean Greyling. The Sharks simply have to field their strongest team.
That means that Smit, who was replaced after just 47 minutes against the Lions after failing to make a significant impact, has to be among the substitutes.
Only time will tell what happens behind the scenes and whether Plumtree is allowed to make the call with the bigger Springbok picture in mind.
The Sharks will also only make a call later this week on whether Steven Sykes will play. He injured a knee against the Lions and is in a race against time to be fit.
If Sykes cannot play, Alistair Hargreaves or Ross Skeate could come into the picture.
Whoever steps into the Sharks' lineout will probably be "mauled" by Victor Matfield and his fellow lock in any case.
Loose forwards Jean Deysel and Willem Alberts will be up for consideration as their driving play was missed against the Lions and will be needed against the Bulls.
The Bulls have a very impressive pack and the Sharks could struggle in the set phases.
The champion team would certainly have taken note of how the Lions forwards scored two tries from lineout drives. If the Sharks fail to come up with a counter, they could expect the same medicine at Loftus.
Plumtree said on Monday that it would take a big effort to stop the Bulls.
"We wanted to avoid this situation - where we need to go to Pretoria and have to win to make the playoffs."
