Seven Boks in Sharks side to face Bulls

The Currie Cup may be seen as a development tournament these days, but the Sharks bucked the trend yesterday when they named a squad with seven Springboks and eight other Super Rugby regulars in it for their opening match against the Blue Bulls in Durban tomorrow.

While loose forward Jean-Luc du Preez is still injured, Lwazi Mvovo, the other player released by the Springboks this week, is on the left wing, completing an exceptional backline full of experience and bright young talent.

Fullback Curwin Bosch, fly- half Robert du Preez and both scrumhalves, Louis Schreuder and Cameron Wright, have played for the Springboks in the last year. The same applies to No 8 Daniel du Preez and hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle, who has been named Sharks’ captain.

The only players in the starting line-up who could possibly be considered young, developing talent are the lock pairing of Gideon Koegelenberg and Hyron Andrews.

The centre pairing of Marius Louw and Jeremy Ward is exciting, but the 22-year-old Ward has already earned 15 Super Rugby caps and 23-year-old Louw has 17.

Despite their star-studded line-up, Schreuder was talking up the dangers of the Blue Bulls.

“We are in a good place but we know there is a massive challenge ahead of us. They are a very good team, I think they’re going to be very competitive in the Currie Cup,” Schreuder said.