Sharks have class players in squad
ASK ANY Manchester football fan and they will tell you that money buys you a good squad and a good squad wins you trophies. Shifting back to rugby, the same can be said, and while the Sharks have not been splurging like the blue side of Manchester in the past few years, they have been building up some class players in their squad.
The Sharks not only have some world-class veterans, in the shape of Beast Mtawarira, they also have some youngsters that they have polished into gems, such as Sbu Nkosi. But the question that needs to be asked, as the Super Rugby season canters towards us is: do the Sharks have the fire-power to be a threat?
Looking at some of the players who will shortly be named in the Super Rugby squad, there is a lot to be excited about right from the front row. It all begins with the rock in the No 1 jersey, Mtawarira.
The Beast may well be running out of years in his playing career, but his recent seasons have been some of his best. This veteran is paired up with two immense tightheads in Coenie Oosthuizen and Thomas du Toit, not to mention his own loosehead deputy, Juan Schoeman.
The Sharks also have a fired-up Akker van der Merwe, who turns their front row into a much more mobile and attacking threat.
Where there are some concerns, however, is at lock. The Sharks have lost a loyal servant in Stephan Lewies, with Hyron Andrews the most likely successor.
He will be mentored by Ruan Botha in the starting pack with there being a slew of other locks looking to really stand out this season.
The loose forwards will be capably led by the Du Preez twins, but Jean-Luc will not be the one who starts the season after picking up an injury playing for Sale Sharks in England. Alongside the twins, there are some workhorses in Philip van der Walt and Jacques Vermeulen to assist, but much like the locks, there needs to be a big performance from one or two squad members.
Cameron Wright and Louis Schreuder had good competition looking for the starting No 9 jersey, but beyond that, it is unknown who can bolster the Sharks at scrumhalf should one of them go down.
Robert du Preez Jnr settled in well at flyhalf in the Currie Cup, but there is also the versatile Curwin Bosch that will keep him on his toes while the centres are packed with talent.
Andre Esterhuizen and Lukhanyo Am are an exciting prospect as they look to continue growing as a pair, but there is also the devastating Jeremy Ward and Marius Louw.
The Sharks also boast some pacey and skilful talent out wide with Bosch, Nkosi, Lwazi Mvovo as well as a returning Makazole Mapimpi all out there to provide expert finishing.
Some of the names really are exciting and mouthwatering, but there are also areas of concern.
The Sharks have been big fans of growing their squad talent and backing them in the big games. It will then be up to a few of the lesserknown names to really take their chances and look to shine in order to help make the Sharks a complete package this year.