Sharks welcome back stalwart Burden
ONE OF the worst kept secrets in Durban was finally made public when the Sharks named former hooker Craig Burden in their match day squad to play the Rebels this weekend at the Shark Tank.
The barn-storming hooker played for the Sharks between 2006 and 2013 before embarking on a fiveyear career in France, representing Toulon, Montpellier and Stade Français. He is now 33-years-old, but an important asset for the Sharks who are running short on experienced hookers.
Burden had been training with the Sharks for a few weeks to assess his overall fitness and to determine if he would be up to the rigours of Super Rugby before a decision was to be made to contract him.
With Akker van der Merwe making his decision to leave Durban at the end of the season, and Chiliboy Ralepelle under his third doping cloud, the men from Durban were left a little understocked at the hooking berth.
Only homegrown Glenwood boy Kerron van Vuuren and Maritzburg College pupil Fezokuhle ‘Fez’ Mbatha would be left with a handful of caps among them for next season. Burden is an all-action hooker on the field, but also a good mentor to have in the squad for these youngsters to learn from.
Burden begins his second stint at the Shark Tank on the bench for this game, with coach Robert du Preez making a few other changes after a bye, and two previous losses in the competition thus far.
Ruben van Heerden and Hyron Andrews pair up in the second row while Phepsi Buthelezi is given a welcome start at flank.
Andre Esterhuizen reverts back at inside centre while Aphelele Fassi returns to the side after taking a knock against the Stormers, and replaces Rhyno Smith at fullback.
The Sharks have admitted that in their two South African derby losses they were probably under prepared in terms of physicality, and now they have a chance to rectify it against an Australian side which has an edge to them, but more flair and skill than grunt and abrasion.
It will be a good test for the Sharks to try and take a game by the scruff of its neck with brute force, as well as silky skills, in order to try and gain back some lost confidence, but if this tactic does not work, the Rebels are a team that could tear them asunder.
SHARKS: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder (capt), 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Gideon Koegelenberg, 20 Luke Stringer, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Curwin Bosch