Injury rules Vd Walt out, Collopy in line for Sharks debut
Sharks flank Philip van der Walt has been ruled out of the Sharks’ Super Rugby clash against the Hurricanes in Durban on Saturday.
The veteran openside is recovering from a shoulder niggle he picked up in the Sharks 23-13 win over the Lions last weekend. His omission sees the dependable Jacques Vermeulen return to the starting line-up.
The rest of the Sharks starting XV is unchanged, providing much needed continuity going into another must win clash with the Hurricanes this weekend.
Coach Rob du Preez was given a real selection headache this week as the SA U20 squad was named, meaning that 19-year-old hooker Dylan Richardson, who made his Super Rugby debut against the Lions, is not available this weekend.
The Sharks still haven’t been able to call upon veteran hooker Craig Burden since his return to Kings Park. The 34-year-old has had some bad luck with various niggles in training over the last six weeks, which have prevented him from selection.
With those two players out, Cullen Collopy comes onto the Sharks bench for a potential Super Rugby debut.
The 26-year-old Kearsney old boy has featured in the Sharks and Western Province age group structures and returned to Durban last year. Collopy currently plays for College Rovers and has been involved in the Sharks XV’s Supersport Rugby Challenge campaign in 2019.
Du Preez says its another good opportunity to blood new talent at the Sharks.
“It’s a great opportunity for him, this is what rugby is all about. He’s done really great work for the Supersport Rugby Challenge side,” the coach said.
Bosch vs Barrett
The match serves up a mouth-watering head-to-head between Curwin Bosch and incumbent All Blacks flyhalf Beauden Barrett.
Bosch has been in sublime form for the Sharks over the past month, pulling the strings at flyhalf after an extended run of games in the number 10 jumper.
Barrett returns to the Hurricanes starting lineup this weekend having missed their clash with the Jaguares and Hurricanes coach John Plumtree will be hoping he can spark their backline back to life.
The tempo and overall flow of the match will be decided by either player and coach Du Preez is well aware that kicking will have a big role to play.
“We know that we don’t want to kick any loose balls to them, that’s going to be a big focus for us. Our defence has been really good the whole year, but Saturday will certainly be an acid test for us.”
50 up for Dan du Preez
Sharks number 8 Daniel du Preez will also run out for his 50th Super Rugby cap for the Durban outfit. It’s fitting that the milestone comes at this juncture, as Du Preez has been playing some of the best rugby of his career.
“It’s a wonderful achievement. They (Du Preez brothers) are all born and bred here and that makes it extra special – I’m very pleased for him.”
Sharks team: Aphelele Fassi, Sbu Nkosi, Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi, Curwin Bosch, Louis Schreuder (c), Daniel du Preez*, Jean-Luc du Preez, Jacques Vermeulen, Ruan Botha, Ruben van Heerden, Coenie Oosthuizen, Kerron van Vuuren, Mzamo Majola.
Replacements: Cullen Collopy, Juan Schoeman, Thomas du Toit, Hyron Andrews, Tyler Paul, Cameron Wright, Robert du Preez, Kobus van Wyk.