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Johannesburg - Sharks director of rugby Jake White will know later on Tuesday whether he will have the services of the injured trio of Tendai Mtawarira, Patrick Lambie and Paul Jordaan for Saturday’s all important final Vodacom Super Rugby league match against the DHL Stormers at Newlands.
According to the supersport.com website, all three players are heading back from injury and are said to now be recovered and rehabilitated, White just has to find out whether they are ready yet to take the field in a big match like the clash with the Stormers is shaping up to be.
The status of flyhalf Lambie in particular will be eagerly awaited by not only White but also fans of the Durban franchise, for pivot has been problematic for the Sharks since the Springbok was injured playing against the Bulls in Pretoria in March.
As it is, Lambie has made an excellent recovery, as the initial prognosis was that his torn bicep would keep him out of the rest of the Super Rugby season. However, regardless of whether he is ready for the Newlands clash, it appears he may be ready to play a part in the knock-out games that follow.
“All of those players are going for scans, and I’m waiting for the word from the specialists on whether they can play or not,” said White.
“I will know on Tuesday where we stand. Positively, they all look like they are recovering, it’s just a question of whether they’ve recovered enough to start playing. If they are passed fit, they will be considered for selection.”
Former Western Province under-21 player Tim Swiel played against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein last week, but he has failed to really make full use of his opportunities in the Sharks jersey this season and it would be a massive gamble for White to stick with him for a Newlands clash with the Stormers.
So the flyhalf selection could be interesting. The more experienced Fred Zeilinga might have been expected to play there last week after making a successful return to the field through club rugby but was left out of the squad, while the other option, if Lambie doesn’t start, would be to move Frans Steyn from inside centre back to flyhalf.
That though would probably be done reluctantly by White and it may depend on whether Jordaan is pronounced fit to return to the midfield.
The news from the Stormers camp is that Deon Fourie is the only doubtful starter among the players who started against the Bulls last week. Fourie is feeling a slight hamstring injury and will be given time to recover and prove his fitness. Sailosi Tagicakibau, Duane Vermeulen, Schalk Burger and Siya Kolisi all sat out training on Monday but will be available to face the Sharks.
