John Plumtree announces Natal Sharks team for upcoming encounter against Free State Cheetahs – Rugby News
South African provincial Rugby Union side, Natal Sharks' head coach, John Plumtree, has announced his match-day squad for their upcoming clash against the Natal Sharks. Mitchell listed the
squad on Thursday, October 20, a day after the rest of the semi-finalists have announced their respective teams.
Natal Sharks are the defending champions of the South African provincial Rugby Union competition, the ABSA Currie Cup. They will take on the Cheetahs in their 2011 ABSA Currie Cup semifinal
encounter on Saturday, October 22 at Kings Park Stadium, Durban.
Last week, Sharks won a home semi-final of the Currie Cup competition following their bonus point victory over the 2011 Currie Cup table leaders, Golden Lions.
Sharks are strengthened by the inclusion of several of their first choice players, who were unavailable for them as they were away on national duty for the Springboks in the ongoing 2011 Rugby
World Cup tournament.
Plumtree match day squad marks the return of six Springboks to the Sharks lineup for the match. Commenting on their inclusion in the squad, he said, “It was great to have the Boks back last
week, but after having to integrate them, this week we're a team, everyone has a big responsibility, not just them.”
Sharks are still waiting on the availability of the Springboks international Jean Deysel. It is expected that the decision regarding his inclusion in the squad will be finalized on Friday,
October 21. In case he fails to reach full fitness, Anton Bresler will feature in the lock position for the Sharks.
JP Pietersen will start the match at the winger position in place of Lwazi Mvovo. Mvovo will start the match from the bench.
Natal Sharks squad for their upcoming encounter against the Free State Cheetahs consists of following,
Starting XV: 15 Pat Lambie, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Stefan Terblanche, 12 Marius Joubert, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Frederic Michalak, 9 Conrad Hoffmann, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Keegan
Daniel (c), 5 Ross Skeate, 4 Jean Deysel/Anton Bresler, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Beast Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Eugene van Staden, 18 Marcell Coetzee, 19 Jacques Botes, 20 Ross Cronje, 21 Adi Jacobs, 22 Lwazi Mvovo.
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