Thomas, Coenie prop up Sharks
DU PREEZ: IT’S FANTASTIC TO HAVE BOTH PLAYERS BACK
Ken Borland
The Sharks looked wellplaced to dig the foundations for victory up front against the Golden Lions in their Currie Cup match in Durban tomorrow as they welcomed Springbok props Thomas du Toit and Coenie Oosthuizen back yesterday.
Du Toit, who was released from the Springbok squad to get some game time, having not played in Australasia, will start at tighthead prop, while Oosthuizen, who can play on both sides, looks set to make his first appearance in a match this year after rupturing knee ligaments last November with the Springboks.
“We know Thomas hasn’t played in a while but it will be great to get him some game time. It’s always difficult bringing guys in when the team is playing well, but it is great to have him back. It’s also fantastic to have Coenie back, he’s champing at the bit, very eager and excited and we’ll look to play him for at least 30 minutes. We’ll see how it goes, but that’s the plan,” Sharks coach Robert du Preez said when announcing his team.
Another formerly injured Springbok will also be on the bench in the form of wing Sbu Nkosi, who has been out of action since mid-July with a badly-sprained ankle. He is joined in the reserves by Aphelele Fassi, an outstanding talent who started at fullback in the last match against the Pumas, but who has been replaced in the starting line-up by Springbok Curwin Bosch.
Given the Lions backline that they will be up against, Du Preez seemed to suggest Bosch’s greater experience had won his return to the starting XV.
“Curwin does have a lot of experience for a young guy and it’s nice to give him a start again. The Lions certainly have x-factor players in their backline who have shown what they can do. They also score a lot of tries and they’re unpredictable, so we have to be on our toes to deal with them,” Du Preez said.
Lock Ruben van Heerden, signed this week from the Blue Bulls, has been rushed straight on to the bench.