Sharks v Stormers clash crucial for Nienaber

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber will get his first taste of a proverbial Bok trial in his stratified position when the Sharks and the Stormers clash in Durban tomorrow.

In what was the worst-kept secret in SA Rugby‚ Nienaber was unveiled as Rassie Erasmus’s replacement on January 24.

A week later‚ the Sharks and the Bulls opened SA’s Super Rugby account at Kings Park.

Nienaber was in Durban this week as part of scheduled visits from the Bok coaching staff.

That game was a glorified warm-up fixture with both sides far from their best.

From that point‚ their seasons have taken different trajectories, with the Sharks recording four more wins while the Bulls have struggled, with only one success from five matches.

The Sharks/Stormers game is of significance for Nienaber from a selection perspective.

The bulk of the performing forwards and backs are from the two teams. From a frontrow perspective‚ Ox Nche has been asking all the right questions as Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira’s replacement.

Frans Malherbe and Wilco Louw are formidable tighthead impediments who will test Nche’s Test-match suitability.

The same will be applicable for Thomas du Toit as the Sharks’ senior front-rower, with Steven Kitshoff standing in his way.

Scarra Ntubeni is already a capped Springbok‚ but Kerron van Vuuren has played well enough to also have questions to be asked about his abilities.

In JD Schickerling‚ Salmaan Moerat and Chris van Zyl‚ the Stormers have better namebrand locks‚ but Rubin van Heerden‚ Hyron Andrews and Le Roux Roets have been faultless for the Sharks.

The same applies to looseforwards as the Stormers have blockbuster names in Jaco Coetzee and Juarno Augustus‚ but they are going to be without superstar Pieter-Steph du Toit‚ who has gone under the knife.

Led by Sikhumbuzo Notshe‚ the Sharks loose trio has been delightful.

The difference between the teams has been the backs.

Led by Lukhanyo Am‚ the Sharks’ backs have picked defensive locks better than skilled bank robbers.

When confronted by the Jaguares’ rush defence‚ Curwin Bosch’s kicking game made the visitors second-guess their defensive patterns.

There is enough that has been said about Am‚ but there are also the Sharks back three of Makazole Mapimpi‚ S’bu Nkosi and Aphelele Fassi who can pretty much do anything.

The Stormers have competent backs with world-class halfbacks in Damian Willemse and Herschel Jantjies.

How the Stormers backs with their array of stars have struggled to get going remains confusing.

Maybe their cohesive opponents could get them going as they are too good a unit to remain as stale as three-day old bread.

Either way‚ the big winner from this game will be Nienaber.