Sharks lose their patience with April

Ken Borland

With the Free State Cheetahs imminently taking their leading players off to the Pro14, the match between Western Province and the Sharks at Newlands on Saturday could be perceived as a clash for the top of the Currie Cup standings, and as such KZN coach Robert du Preez yesterday seemingly showed his hand in terms of what he considers to be his strongest team.

But of the seven changes to the team that pulled off a stirring comeback win against the Golden Lions at Ellis Park, three of them are enforced, including one that is linked to discipline.

Regular offender Garth April has once again been dropped after what the Sharks described as an “internal issue”, with Innocent Radebe replacing him at fullback.

Flank Keegan Daniel and prop Thomas du Toit are both out with injuries, with Jean Droste coming in at lock as Tyler Paul shifts to loose forward, and Juan Schoeman starting as loosehead prop.

Kobus van Wyk starts on the wing as he replaces Odwa Ndungane and heads back to Newlands for the first time as an opposition player, while Du Preez obviously sees Lukhanyo Am at inside centre and Jeremy Ward outside him as his best midfield combination.

Louis Schreuder, who marked himself out as one of the country’s better scrumhalves while playing Super Rugby for the Southern Kings, makes his first start, replacing Cameron Wright.

But April’s stupidity is a blow for the Sharks, who described his omission as “taking a strong stance around our values of work ethic, teamwork and respect.”