Bosch has opportunity to stick it to the Boks
CURWIN Bosch has the ideal opportunity to make a statement to the Springbok selectors when he returns to the Sharks team for their Currie Cup visit to Western Province this evening.
Bosch was overlooked for the 45-man Bok squad named to tackle Georgia and the British and Irish Lions, and then was rested for the Sharks’ first-round Currie Cup match against Griquas.
But he is now back in business and coach Sean Everitt believes the 24-yearold could have a significant influence on the outcome of a game anticipated to be played in wet conditions.
“It is great to have Curwin back in the mix,” Everitt said.
“We gave him a break because he has carried a major workload for us. Yes, he was disappointed to be overlooked but everybody goes through disappointment in sport. It is not the first time it has happened to him and he is over it now.
“This game is an opportunity for Curwin to represent the Sharks and an opportunity to put his hand up for national selection, should the opportunity arise in the series against the Lions,” Everitt continued. “Injuries are part of the game, so he has to make sure he puts in a good performance against Province to show Rassie (Erasmus) and Jacques Nienaber that he can add value to the Boks.”
It has been raining in Cape Town
and the forecast says there is an 80% chance of rain during the match, so it looks like it will be a kicking game and this means the flyhalves will have a major role to play.
“We all know that Curwin kicks the ball really well and it might be the deciding factor in a game which is probably not going to allow for too much running rugby,” Everitt added.
Another Shark likely to revel in a wet weather game is the burly in-form
flank Thembelani Bholi, the experienced 31-year-old who is enjoying a new lease on life since joining the Sharks from the defunct Southern Kings.
“Thembelani is playing his best rugby since coming to us from the Kings,” Everitt said. “He has had an extended run in the starting line-up which has given him good match fitness. He has a number of ways of influencing the game — he is strong on maul attack and maul stopping, and is obviously a powerful carrier and defender. He is captaining the forwards, and when you have bulldozer like him carrying for you in wet weather, it adds real value.”
The match is scheduled to start at 5pm and has been brought forward because of the new curfew regulations.
Western Province Starting XV: Sergeal Petersen, Seabelo Senatla, Cornel Smit, Rikus Pretorius, Edwill van der Merwe, Tim Swiel, Paul de Wet, Evan Roos, Hacjivah Dayimani, Marcel Theunissen, David Meihuizen, Ernst van Rhyn (capt), Neethling Fouche, Reinach Venter, Ali Vermaak; Replacements: Jason Alexander, Leon Lyons, Sazi Sandi, Justin Basson, Johan du Toit, Juarno Augustus, Godlen Masimla, Abner van Reenen, Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, Lyle Hendricks
Sharks Starting XV: Manie Libbok, Werner Kok, Jeremy Ward, Marius Louw, Thaakir Abrahams, Curwin Bosch, Jaden Hendrikse, Mpilo Gumede, Thembelani Bholi, James Venter, Hyron Andrews, Ruben van Heerden, Khutha Mchunu, Fez Mbatha, Khwezi Mona; Replacements: Dan Jooste, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Wiehahn Herbst, JJ van der Mescht, Reniel Hugo, Dylan Richardson, Grant Williams, Boeta Chamberlain