Former Springbok Marius Joubert gets Sharks debut against Blue Bulls: Currie Cup - Rugby
Former Springboks international centre, Marius Joubert, will make his Currie Cup debut for Sharks in their 2011 ABSA Currie Cup opener against the Blue Bulls at Durban on Saturday, July 16.
The 32-year-old Joubert has switched from the French Top 14 side, ASM Clermont Auvergne after he signed a two-year deal with the Sharks at the end of the 2010/11 French Top 14 and European season.
Before joining Clermont, Marius Joubert had played for the Western Provinces, Stormers and Cheetahs in Super Rugby and Currie Cup championships.
Sharks head coach, John Plumtree, has shown his satisfaction on the inclusion of the experienced Joubert in his squad. He added that he is willing to give the international centre some time to settle down. He added that his participation in the team, particularly
in absence of several of their experienced players, will help the squad defend their Currie Cup title.
Sharks are without the services of several of their first choice players during the initial rounds of the 2011 Currie Cup. These players are currently on Springboks’ duty to participate in the 2011 Tri Nations tournament. This includes Adrian Jacobs, Patrick
Lambie, Charl McLeod, Lwazi Mvovo, Odwa Ndungane, Jean Deysel, Alistair Hargreaves, Ryan Kankowski and John Smit.
Paarl born Joubert made his international debut for South Africa against the touring All Blacks side at Cape Town on July 21, 2001. He represented the Springboks until 2005 after making 30 appearances for the squad. He has also scored 45 international points
for the Springboks.
Plumtree further added that the getting accustomed to the team will not be an issue for Joubert. He praised the skills and abilities of Joubert, particularly his "calmness".
Plumtree further added, “He's prepared to wait and bide his time and he'll make his mark on this group. We're lucky to have him in this competition now with us having lost a few players; he gives us that little bit of extra depth and experience.”
Additionally, Plumtree has named the flanker Marcell Coetzee and left winger Mark Richards in the starting lineup for their Saturday’s clash. The match against the Bulls will be the duo’s professional rugby union senior club debut.
The Sharks match 22 announced by Plumtree for their encounter against the Bulls includes:
Starting XV: 15 Stefan Terblanche, 14 Louis Ludik, 13 Marius Joubert, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Mark Richards, 10 Frederic Michalak, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Keegan Daniel (c), 7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Ross Skeate, 4 Anton Bresler, 3 Wiehahn
Herbst, 2 Craig Burden, 1 Eugene van Staden.
Replacements: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Dale Chadwick, 18 Jan Andre Marais, 19 Francois Kleinhans, 20 Jacobus Reinach, 21 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 22 Sibusiso Sithole.
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