White’s team surprises

JAKE White’s Sharks team to face the Waratahs at Kings Park tomorrow was met with raised eyebrows after the coach announced that Lwazi Mvovo would start at fullback.

Odwa Ndungane’s return from compassionate leave was expected to cause White a few selection headaches, but few would have predicted the puzzle to be completely scrambled.

Mvovo has played all his rugby at wing, but White has thrown him into a position that will require him to kick, field high balls and cover defend more than he has been asked to in the past.

Without question, Mvovo’s aptitude under the high ball has been the biggest improvement of his game this season.

But, even by his own admission, his kicking will come under intense scrutiny, especially if the Waratahs backs chase their own kicks with force, as they have done this season.

White said he could not leave Mvovo out, so SP Marais, who drops to the bench, was the casualty of Ndungane’s return.

Mvovo had all the skills to pass the Waratahs test, White said.

“For me, Ndungane is not a fullback. I’m more excited about seeing Mvovo play there.”

Fortunately he has not been asked to make too many gambles with the forward pack. Moving Willem Alberts to lock and Jean Deysel to flank appears to add more muscle to an already ferocious pack, after Anton Bresler suffered a shoulder injury.

Fred Zeilinga was confirmed as Pat Lambie’s replacement at flyhalf. Stefan Ungerer comes onto the bench as back-up scrumhalf for Charl McLeod.