Sykes fit again for Sharks

RUGBYChampionship Springboks Lwazi Mvovo and Craig Burden have been included in the Sharks team to play the Lions on Saturday, while, in a third change, veteran lock Steven Sykes is back from a rib injury to reclaim his starting place at the expense of Jandre Marais.

Hooker Burden was called up to the Boks as cover for Adriaan Strauss, and Tiaan Liebenberg, but did not get any game time. Mvovo played against the Wallabies, but was dropped for last week’s match against the All Blacks.

Mvovo is on the left wing in place of last week’s debutant Rosko Specman, who had a good match, while Burden slots in for the veteran Pieter Dixon at hooker.

“Pieter played really well for us against Western Province and gave us a lot of experience, but Craig is explosive and gives us a whole new skills set,” said coach John Plumtree.

X-factor

The fresh Burden brings the X-factor to the team and is a proven try-scorer. Cover from the bench will come in the form of Monde Hadebe.

Among the backs, Plumtree has chosen to keep the midfield combination that played against Western Province, despite the return from injury of centre Paul Jordaan, who suffered concussion during the loss to Griquas the week before.

The coach has kept intact the combination of Meyer Bosman and Tim Whitehead.

Bosman is in good form with the boot, kicking nine out of 10 shots at goal against Province, while Whitehead, a first choice during Super Rugby, made his comeback last week from a hand injury sustained during the Super Rugby semi-final in Cape Town.

The match at Coca-Cola Park is a top-of-the-table encounter, and Plumtree said that victory was vital.

“It’s a run-in now with only four games before the playoffs,” he said. “It’s the side that finds consistency now and strings those three or four wins together that’s going to claim top spot. That’s ultimately key to winning the Currie Cup – having a home final is important.”