Sharks drop leading Boks

Sharks' coach John Plumtree has dropped Frans Steyn (pictured). Photo by Steve Haag / Gallo Images

Sharks' coach John Plumtree has dropped Frans Steyn (pictured). Photo by Steve Haag / Gallo Images

Published Apr 18, 2013

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Durban – Springbok trio Francois Steyn, Ryan Kankowski and Jannie du Plessis have all been dropped by the Sharks for their Vodacom Super Rugby encounter against the Cheetahs in Durban on Saturday.

Coach John Plumtree has made four changes in total, with the three out-of-form players replaced by fullback Riaan Viljoen, fit-again loose forward Jean Deysel, and prop Wiehahn Herbst respectively.

The other change is an enforced one, with JP Pietersen’s ankle injury ruling him out and Odwa Ndungane coming in on the wing.

Kankowski has been dropped from the match 22 altogether, while Steyn and Du Plessis are on the bench, where on-loan Lions back Andries Coetzee also sits for the first time and could be in line for a debut.

“Ryan Kankowski is not in good form at the moment,” Plumtree said.

“We are still putting a plan in place for him going forward, but I think he's still feeling the effects of the Japanese season, he still hasn't come right.

“He, himself, is battling to work out what's going wrong, it's not easy for him or anyone of us.”

Springbok wing Pietersen was injured during last week’s 22-15 loss to the Stormers in Cape Town, and joins the long casualty list that includes Bismarck du Plessis (knee), Willem Alberts (shoulder), Butch James (knee), Louis Ludik (shoulder), Tim Whitehead (hand), Jacques Botes (hand), and Lwazi Mvovo (hand).

“JP is probably one of our best players and to lose him at this stage is a massive loss,” said Plumtree.

“Injuries are really doing their best to try and derail our bid to win the trophy, so it’s become difficult and stressful for everyone here, the coaches, players, and medical team.

“It hasn’t been easy getting a team together for this weekend and also getting a squad ready to tour.”

However, the Sharks' boss, whose team play the final match before their four-match trip to Australia and New Zealand, did confirm that Alberts might return to Vodacom Cup action this weekend.

“Willem Alberts has a fitness test this week to see if he'll play a role in the Vodacom Cup this weekend,” Plumtree said.

The Sharks: Riaan Viljoen, Odwa Ndungane, Paul Jordaan, Meyer Bosman, Sean Robinson, Patrick Lambie, Cobus Reinach, Keegan Daniel (captain), Jean Deysel, Marcell Coetzee, Franco van der Merwe, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Wiehahn Herbst, Kyle Cooper, Tendai Mtawarira. Replacements: Craig Burden, Jannie du Plessis, Anton Bresler, Tera Mtembu, Charl McLeod, Francois Steyn, Andries Coetzee. – Sapa

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