Sharks coach Brad Macleod-Henderson will have some interesting backline options to consider for this Saturday's all-important Currie Cup clash against the Bulls at Loftus, with Springbok Lwazi Mvovo set to provide the side with a timely boost.
Mvovo has been released from the Boks this week in order to have the opportunity to receive some game-time in the Currie Cup, and his return will be warmly welcomed, particularly considering that Odwa Ndungane has been ruled him out of the Bulls game with a groin injury.
Then there are a number of options in the midfield, with Paul Jordaan returning to the selection mix after being afforded a break last week.
Jordaan has predominantly plied his trade at inside centre this Currie Cup season, but young Andre Esterhuizen made a promising debut last Saturday, and so it will interesting to see who dons the No 12 jersey this weekend.
Should Esterhuizen continue at 12, there could always be the possibility of Jordaan slotting in at outside centre and S’bura Sithole shifting to the wing.
At fullback, SP Marais made an impressive impact when he came off the bench against the Cheetahs, and it remains to be seen whether he will now be reintroduced to the starting line-up where he would provide a different dimension with his big kicking boot.
Scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer is also now available for selection after recently recovering from a hand injury, and while he will remain with the under-21 side, the talented youngster will add further depth at scrumhalf.
Lionel Cronje was another player who looked good in his first start last Saturday, and there is now some real competition at flyhalf as Fred Zeilinga will continue to knock on the door.
All in all, it's a healthy position for Macleod-Henderson to be in.
“It’s great to have Lwazi back, he’s been with the Springboks and has experience as a senior player, although it is unfortunate that Odwa is out,” the Sharks coach commented. “Andre did well in his first game, but Paul is back after having a week off, so we are fortunate from that point of view. Then SP came off the bench and added quite a bit, but I thought Tim (Swiel) went nicely in his first start (at fullback) as well.”
Macleod-Henderson said he felt the new combinations from last weekend had generally gelled nicely.
“I thought Lionel Cronje was good at 10, and he gave the backs quite a bit of direction and helped the forwards around. It was nice to see him out there, and I think the more time the guys spend together, the better they will work together, and then we just need to exploit the opportunities we create.”
Although the Sharks have mixed and matched in terms of selection so far this season, it’s likely they will begin to settle on their first-choice team within the next couple of weeks.
“Every week we’ve selected a few different options depending on who we think can go out and do a job for us,” Macleod-Henderson said. “We’ve chopped and changed a bit, but we also want to make sure we put a team out there that we believe can go get us a win.”
Up front, prop Thomas du Toit has undergone a scan to determine the severity of a toe injury that ruled him out of last Saturday’s clash, while lock JC Astle is available after overcoming a hamstring strain, and will add another option in the second row.- Daily News