Steyn selection pays off for Sharks’ Gold

SHARKS rugby director Gary Gold’s hunch of picking Frans Steyn at flyhalf for tomorrow’s clash against the Force has paid off.

Steyn was the subject of a Sanzar appeal against him, being cleared of foul play following the red card he received for his dangerous tackle on Aaron Cruden, but that hearing has been moved to Tuesday.

The Sharks had already ap- pealed against the timing of Sanzar’s appeal.

Steyn’s red card was rescinded by judicial hearing chairman Jannie Lubbe SC, who found Steyn not guilty of contravening Law 10.4 (j), related to a lifting tackle.

Gold knew it was possible he would lose Steyn for the week, but chose to stick with his man by putting him in the starting lineup anyway.

Losing Steyn would have been a big blow, as Pat Lambie has been rested as per Saru’s deal with the franchises, but Gold has trust in his structures and squad depth.

He felt the team was mentally prepared for the backlash from the Chiefs from a disciplinary perspective and they will not be taking the Force very lightly.

“We knew there was going to be disruptions if things did not go our way with the red cards at the weekend because we had nominated to rest the players in any case.

“We spoke about the possible hurdles that were going to be in our way – the Western Force are a very good team,” Gold said.

“We don’t want to be in a position where we take other teams lightly and don’t show huge respect for them.

“They are very dangerous and they will be aggrieved that they did not beat the Bulls.

“Our focus has been on preparation for the game and what we can do between the four white lines.”

With three Springboks out, the Sharks team has a very different feel with four changes and two positional switches.

Steyn moves to flyhalf and Renaldo Bothma fills in at blindside flank.

Kyle Cooper comes in for the suspended Bismarck du Plessis, while Jean Deysel makes a surprise return as captain in the No 7 jumper.

Andre Esterhuizen and Conrad Hoffman fill the voids left by Steyn and Cobus Reinach at centre and scrumhalf respectively.

The Force have named an unchanged starting XV, their only swap being on the bench with Durban-born Dane Haylett-Petty coming in for Solomoni Junior Rasolea.

Deysel’s announcement as captain was rather surprising, as the loose-forward has not seen much action due to an ankle injury.

There is something Gold sees in the player as he had many leadership options to choose from, including Marco Wentzel and Ryan Kankowski, who are levelheaded and are vastly experienced campaigners.

“If Jean was not right, Marco would have captained, but Ryan was a strong consideration.”