Bosch gets his chance to shine at No 10
THE SHARKS have, through some luck and intention, not had to make too many wholesale changes in this year’s Currie Cup.
Injuries have mostly been sporadic and coach Robert du Preez’s plan has seemingly been about consistency of selection.
But, the coach has decided in this last game of the regular season to shake things up a bit with an eye on potential different combinations. The biggest change has to be at pivot where Curwin Bosch gets a shot in a position he has called his favourite before.
Bosch’s move to No 10 is not that surprising as the talented footballer has both an eye for the game, and the gap, but it is the man outside him that surprises in selection, although it could well be a master stroke.
Robert du Preez Jnr dons the centres jersey, offering the Sharks a duel playmaker backline that has often been employed by the likes of England and Australia historically. For coach Du Preez, this is a combination that he is excited to see work.
“Putting Robert at 12 is something we want to have a look at and see how he goes, he has played there before and he will probably bring a something a little bit different, and it is a combination that I would like to see how it goes – him, Curwin, and Jeremy (Ward),” the coach explained.
The move of Du Preez and Bosch also allows for the talented Aphelele Fassi to keep growing with another start at No 15.
“We wanted to give Curwin a run at No 10, he is our back up No 10 and we thought this match would be a good opportunity to give him a nice run there, so hopefully he can play a full game there for us,” Du Preez went on before explaining Fassi’s inclusion.
“Fassi then slots in for us at No 15, and he has been doing really well for us off the bench so we want to give him a proper run as well.”
The Sharks also have Sbu Nkosi back in the starting team after a brief return to rugby from injury off the bench a while back. He is the final change in the backline.
In the forwards, there is also some rotating as Akker van der Merwe starts ahead of captain Chiliboy Ralepelle – seeing scrumhalf Louis Schreuder take the armband. Coenie Oosthuizen is also afforded a start after his own return from injury.
TEAMS
4 Le Roux Roets, 3 Marné Coetzee, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 1 Morgan Naudé
WESTERN PROVINCE
15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12
Dan du Plessis, 11 SP Marais, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Ernst van Rhyn, 6 Kobus van Dyk, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Chris van Zyl (captain), 3 Wilco Louw (50th
DHL WP cap), 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Ali Vermaak.
BLUE BULLS TEAM
15 Divan Rossouw, 14 Jamba Ulengo, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Franco Naude, 11 Jade Stighling, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Hanro Liebenberg (c), 7 Marco van Staden, 6 Ruan Steenkamp, 5 Eli Snyman, 4 Hendre Stassen, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Matthys Basson Substitutes: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 18 Ruan Nortje, 19 Nic de Jager, 20 Embrose Papier, 21 Tinus de Beer, 22 Dylan Sage FRIDAY: Pumas vs Lions 7 pm SATURDAY: GRIQUAS VS SHARKS 1 pm; Blue Bulls vs Western Province 5.15 pm
KICK-OFF TIMES