Bosch: the jury is out
NORMALLY A FULLBACK, MOVING TO FLYHALF IS A BIT OF A GAMBLE Boost for Sharks as Beast and Coenie return to action.
Nobody argues anymore about the prodigious talents of young Sharks star Curwin Bosch, but whether flyhalf is his best position remains to be seen.
Sharks coach Robert du Preez had little choice than to move Bosch, who seem to be more at ease at 15, back to the pivotal position for today’s Super Rugby clash against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
The gap Pat Lambie’s injury has left has proved to be more significant than initially expected and while Bosch’s form has alternated between erratic and brilliant this year, he will be required the steer the Sharks this afternoon.
The Cheetahs’ stakes in this game have considerably risen after it was announced that centre Francois Venter will return as captain for the first time this year after his lengthy time off with an ankle injury.
His combination in midfield with Nico Lee could be decisive but with both back from injury, a certain lack of match sharpness could certainly hamper them in the initial stages.
But as every forward likes to claim, it all starts up front and here returning Sharks props Beast Mtawarira and Coenie Oosthuizen have a big task after the struggles against the Kings last week.
Oosthuizen, who is returning to his former stomping ground, is finally showing the required scrumming technique after his transition to tighthead was initially riddled with obstacles.
While the Cheetahs’ backline looks more settled on paper with the return of the two flying wings Raymond Rhule and Sergeal Petersen, it will be the decision-making of former Shark Fred Zeilinga at flyhalf who has to give them the required direction.
There are no less than three Venters in the Cheetahs side, with scrumhalf Shaun and No 8 Henco joining captain Francois in the line-up.
And it’s the Venter at No 8 who could look to improve on his fastgrowing reputation against the likes of his opposite number, visiting skipper Tera Mtembu.
Kick-off: 5.15pm.