Sage thrown in at deep end
While Springbok prop Trevor Nyakane’s move from tighthead to loosehead to try and sort out their scrum woes was not unexpected, the Blue Bulls have also given Sevens Olympian Dylan Sage a first start as they look to tax Western Province more on attack in their Currie Cup semifinal at Newlands tomorrow.
Franco Naude, a typical inside centre, has been moved to the bench with Sage, who is a touch over six feet tall and weighs just 87kg. The 26-year-old, who was the only South African named in the World Series Team-of-the-Year when they won the competition in June, will play outside centre with Johnny Kotze taking over the No 12 jersey.
“We believe we can beat them, but we need to bring something different, especially at Newlands, where they’ll be playing for their home crowd, who all expect a big win. So there’s more pressure on them and we’re just going to go out and enjoy ourselves, but we really want to play in the final,” coach Pote Human said at Loftus Versfeld yesterday.
But Human can add as much “toe” as he likes to the backline, it won’t matter a jot if his forwards don’t at least match Western Province in the set-pieces. The Blue Bulls were brought to their knees in the Loftus mud last weekend as Western Province and Springbok tighthead prop Wilco Louw led the way with a ferocious scrummaging display.
It has caused Human to move seasoned Springbok Nyakane from tighthead to loosehead, where he began a career that has seen him earn 37 Test caps, in an effort to nullify Louw.
The hapless Matthys Basson injured his calf in last weekend’s demolition, vacating the No 1 jersey, while Dayan van der Westhuizen will start at tighthead this weekend.
SA Rugby have also allowed the teams to choose full front rows on the bench, taking the number of substitutes to eight.
The belated move means Frans van Wyk and Conrad van Vuuren return to action on the bench.
The Sharks had a ball in beating Griquas last weekend in Kimberley, but coach Robert du Preez yesterday reverted back to the line-up that has got them to the Currie Cup semifinals ahead of their final four showdown against the Golden Lions at King’s Park tomorrow.
Du Preez stressed that all that has gone before does not matter now that the competition has come to a one-off knockout game, and continuity is vital, even if it means conservative selections, to make sure the Sharks don’t miss the grand ball, which is the final.
Because of that, Robert du Preez will be back at flyhalf, Marius Louw returns at inside centre and the skilful Curwin Bosch is moved to fullback.
“It was probably one of the most difficult selection meetings I’ve had for the last two years, but we decided to go with the guys who have done the job in the last five weeks, for the sake of continuity. A good flyhalf should be able to play 12 as well, and vice-versa, and the experiment in Kimberley was good and something we will definitely consider going forward.”
Du Preez has also gone back to powerhouse Thomas du Toit as the starting tighthead, with the rampaging Akker van der Merwe preferred in the No 2 jersey to regular captain Chiliboy Ralepelle.
But the Sharks will be able to bring some charging bull Springboks off the bench in the final quarter, where the Lions love to raise the tempo, and this is where the semifinal could well be won and lost.
Having Coenie Oosthuizen and Jean-Luc du Preez come on as replacements will provide a massive boost for the Sharks, while there is plenty of x-factor in the backline substitutes, with scrumhalf Cameron Wright and flyers Aphelele Fassi and Leolin Zas sure to severely test any weary legs in the opposition.
“I’m so happy for Leolin, he’s been through a very tough two years after he broke his leg while he was still with the Stormers at the start of last year. It’s been a tough road back for him, with lots of ups and downs, but the courage and determination he has shown proves the quality of the player. I’m sure he will give his very best when he comes on,” Du Preez said.