Sharks 2011

[Blue]

Squad looks more or less like this:

15: Louis Ludik (Pat Lambie)
Wings: JP Pietersen/Lwazi Mvovo/Odwa Ndungane/Skholiwe Ndlovu
13: Stefan Terblanche/Adi Jacobs
12: Meyer Bosman/ Riaan Swanepoel (JLP)
10: Pat Lambie / Jacques Louis Potgieter / Steve Meyer
9: Charl McCleod / Conrad Hoffman
8: Ryan Kankowski (Willem Alberts)
7:Alberts / Jean Deysel
6: Keegan Daniel / Jacques Botes
Locks: Ross Skeate/ Alistair Hargreaves/Steven Sykes / Gerhard Mostert
3:Jannie Doep/ Eugene van Staden (Smit)
2 Battleship/ Craig Burden / John Smit
1:Beast (Smit)

Other players in the backup squad:
Daniel Adonga, Anton Bresler, Jacques Engelbrecht (SA sevens - very fast for a big guy), Mark Richards

Players to look out for:

• Louis Ludik. A couple of years ago when he was still at the Lions he looked very exciting and was consistently delivering solid performances. The Sharks snapped him up but he lost the whole of 2010 to injury. Solid at the back and loves to run it back. (My personal pick for one of the best Sharks players this year)
• Willem Alberts. Massive EOYT and I think he is just going to get better. Will be pushing Spies hard for the Bok starting spot. A good thing.
• Lwazi Mvovo - Out of nowhere found himself starting for the Boks because of injuries and suspensions. Did not look out of place. Will have great confidence from that. Strong bugger and seems to use space very well.
• Battleship - because he will be out to prove that the Boks HAVE to start him.
• JP Pietersen - He is rearing to go and would look to recapture form. Class when he's on.
• Pat Lambie - but look out for second season yips.

Strengths:

• Huge forward depth. Had the best T5 in the Currie Cup as a unit. The can chop and change quite a bit and not lose much.
• Pace in the back 3 (provided the right 3 play).
• Destructive ball carriers all over the place.

Weaknesses:

• Confusion in the ranks. Smit to start at 1,2 or 3? It did not work for them in the Super 14 and they only got settled when Beast got injured and Smit move the LH where he was actually much better than TH in my opinion. With Beast back in form they can't seriously start Smit as first choice in 1,2 or 3. Problem.
• Midfield is crappy. Four midfielders. Two are ancient (Stefan T and Meyer Bosman they nicked from the Cheetahs), on is injure prone (AD Jacobs) and one looks and runs like a prop (Swanepoel)

Prediction: 3rd in SA conference behind Stormers and Bulls but will win some big games home and away.

 

[whatty]

Prediction: 3rd in SA conference behind Stormers and Bulls but will win some big games home and away.

I would have to agree, I have the feeling they wont make the play off's (just) but will be a thorn in the side for many teams especially the overseas games.

 

[PaarlBok]

I watch them Sharks closely on the weekend. They are not close to the CC final form last year but they are vokken strong. That pack is the best in the competition. They have add Bosman in 12 asnd he is going to be a huge asset for them. Conrad Hoffman and Potgieter still look a bit out of sort and expecting Hoffman to be a huge addition to them. I wont be that surprise to see them at the top of the SA conferense if they dont pick up to many injuries. They surely have a very good say 25 players but not near the depth the Stormers have with all our up and coming outstanding youngsters coming through the ranks. One player is vital to them and its Battleship, without their monster they aint the same fish.

 

[Lee Grant]

Another good season preview Blue. I will have to refer to it all the time to know what I am talking about.

 

[PaarlBok]

Just like to add the Sharks have a lot of versatile players.
Louis Ludik (15/wing) Pat Lambie(10/12/15) JP Pietersen(wing/15) Stefan Terblanche (13/15) Adi Jacobs (12/13) Meyer Bosman (12/10) Jacques Louis Potgieter (10/15) Conrad Hoffman (9/15) Willem Alberts (8/7) Keegan Daniel (6/7/8) Eugene van Staden (3/1) John Smit (1/2/3)

 

[Blue]

Another good season preview Blue. I will have to refer to it all the time to know what I am talking about.

Thanks Lee. My next attempt is the Cheetahs which will be a bit harder. Lots of new names. I will need some help from the Oom and others.

Paarl, I will start a Cheetahs preview with what I know about the squad and you can follow up with some thoughts.

 

[Blue]

Just like to add the Sharks have a lot of versatile players.
Louis Ludik (15/wing) Pat Lambie(10/12/15) JP Pietersen(wing/15) Stefan Terblanche (13/15) Adi Jacobs (12/13) Meyer Bosman (12/10) Jacques Louis Potgieter (10/15) Conrad Hoffman (9/15) Willem Alberts (8/7) Keegan Daniel (6/7/8) Eugene van Staden (3/1) John Smit (1/2/3)

I hope Lambie's versatility is not his undoing. Like Pienaar (who I would incidentally still have on the bok bench regardless).

 

[PaarlBok]

Thanks Lee. My next attempt is the Cheetahs which will be a bit harder. Lots of new names. I will need some help from the Oom and others.

Paarl, I will start a Cheetahs preview with what I know about the squad and you can follow up with some thoughts.

Geen probleem. Think the Tin Ears squad quiet settled at the moment. Usefull link
http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Super15/Newman-gets-Cheetahs-nod-20110208

 

[PaarlBok]

I hope Lambie's versatility is not his undoing. Like Pienaar (who I would incidentally still have on the bok bench regardless).

His place kicking is absolute nuts at the moment. He need to fix this if he want to wear the green 10 jersey.