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Sharks and Bulls gear up for South African derby

By Online Editors

12 Apr 2018

Curwin Bosch. Photo / Getty Images

Both on the back of strong performances, the Sharks and Bulls have named their sides ahead of their South African derby.

Sharks coach Robert Du Preez had no hesitation in naming an unchanged starting XV for his side’s week nine encounter at Kings Park on Saturday.

The coach rewarded the players who did the team proud in New Zealand – where they beat the Blues and came within seconds of beating the Hurricanes.

He has however made three rotational changes on the bench – with Armand van der Merwe replacing Franco Marais, while Tyler Paul will now cover lock ahead of Hyron Andrews and Daniel du Preez returns to the matchday 23 from injury and will potentially form a trio of brothers on-field should he join fellow loose forward Jean-Luc and flyhalf Robert during the match.

For the Bulls, head coach John Mitchell has made two changes to his starting side.

Both changes are in the second row with the return of Springbok Lood de Jager and locking parter RG Snyman in the starting XV.

The duo replaces Hendré Stassen and Jason Jenkins who started in last weekend’s 33-23 win over the Stormers.

Jenkins drops down to the bench, while Stassen drops out of the matchday 23.

BULLS

15. Warrick Gelant, 14. Johnny Kötze, 13. Jesse Kriel, 12. Burger Odendaal (C), 11. Divan Rossouw, 10. Handré Pollard, 9. Ivan van Zyl, 8. Hanro Liebenberg, 7. Thembelani Bholi, 6. Marco van Staden, 5. Lodewyk de Jager, 4. Rudolph Snyman, 3. Trevor Nyakane, 2. Adriaan Strauss, 1. Pierre Schoeman.
Replacements: 16. Jaco Visagie, 17. Lizo Gqoboka, 18. Frans van Wyk, 19. Jason Jenkins, 20. Roelof Smit, 21. André Warner, 22. Manie Libbok, 23. Duncan Matthews.

SHARKS

15. Curwin Bosch, 14. Sibusiso Nkosi, 13. Lukhanyo Am, 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Robert du Preez, 9. Louis Schreuder, 8. Lubabalo Mtembu, 7. Jean-Luc du Preez, 6. Philip van der Walt, 5. Stephan Lewies, 4. Ruan Botha (C), 3. Thomas du Toit, 2. Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1. Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16. Armand van der Merwe, 17. Juan Schoeman, 18. John-Hubert Meyer, 19. Tyler Paul, 20. Daniel du Preez, 21. Cameron Wright, 22. Marius Louw, 23. Kobus van Wyk.

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Comments on RugbyPass

AC 20 minutes ago

URC chief executive addresses potential Premiership merger

No I know. Like I mentioned, many would be opposed, most of all France. France's domestic rugby rivals their domestic football, that's how healthy it is.

4 Go to comments

AC 22 minutes ago

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It was, perhaps the worst performance I've ever seen from Quins. Also a very un-Quins performance because usually, when they lose, it's because they gave up too many tries even though they scored enough. Haven't been blanked in 10 years. Didn't even let Gloucester get that many, they just simple could not get the ball across the line, couldn't hold on to it really at all.

1 Go to comments

HU 38 minutes ago

'Tom has the potential to be better than a British and Irish Lion'

a long long time ago, when I was writing articles myself (as a way to earn some money during my university studies) there was some editing involved .... if I had put up crap like "better than a British Lion" I would have got called into the editor-in-chief's office and been reminded about taking the profession seriously ....

7 Go to comments

HU 53 minutes ago

URC chief executive addresses potential Premiership merger

no way France would join .... why would they, the Top14 is perhaps the healthiest competition in (professional) club rugby and even the D2 seems to be up and running ..... I can't see any selling point to be convincing ....

4 Go to comments

ED 1 hour ago

Bristol vs Leicester | Live & Latest Rugby Union Scores & Results | RugbyPass

This teamsheet is different to bears site and planet rugby.

1 Go to comments

Barry 2 hours ago

'Springbok Galacticos can't go it alone for trophy-hunting Sharks'

Always has elevated the profile of African rugby?

They didn't do much for the games profile from 1981 - 1992. Not in a positive sense at least.

5 Go to comments

Bull Shark 2 hours ago

'Tom has the potential to be better than a British and Irish Lion'

What does “better than a British Lion” mean?

As good as a springbok?

7 Go to comments

Hellhound 3 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

On this I agree with you. There were many great teams and many different eras of rugby with very different rule sets. It's actually impossible to declare one team or player as the best ever. However, this is definitely the best SA team SA has ever had. All the accolades speaks for itself.

129 Go to comments

Hellhound 3 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

All you can do is hate on SA. Jealousy makes you nasty and it's never a good look. Those who actually knows rugby is all talking about the depth and standards of the SA players. They don't wear blinders like you. The NH had many years to build the depth and players for multiple competition the SA teams didn't. There will be growing pains. Not least travel issues. The NH teams barely have to travel to play an opponent opposed to the SA teams. That is just one issue. There is many more issues, hence the "growing pains". The CC isn't yet a priority and this is what most people have a problem with. Saying SA is disrespecting that competition which isn't true. SA don't have the funds yet to go big and get the players needed for 3 competitions. It all costs a lot of money. It's over using players and get them injured or prioritising what they can deliver with what are available. To qualify for CC, they need to perform well in the URC, so that is where the main priorities is currently. In time that will change with sponsors coming in fast. They are at a distinct disadvantage currently compared to the rest. Be happy about that, because they already are the best international team. You would have hated it if they kept winning the club competitions like the URC and CC every year too. Don't be such a sourmouth loser. See the complete picture and judge accordingly. There is many factors you aren't even aware of at play that you completely ignore just to sound relevant. Instead of being an positive influence and spread the game and help it grow, we have to read nonsense like this from haters. Just grow up and stop hating on the game. Go watch soccer or something that loves people like you.

129 Go to comments

Barry 4 hours ago

URC chief executive addresses potential Premiership merger

The RFU won't go for it especially now they've enhanced hybrid contracts and some control over their international players.

4 Go to comments

Barry 6 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

Exactly. They haven't learnt. Their regions and U20s are also whipping boys which is the bigger concern. Nothing coming through.

They maxed out the credit cards to keep their golden generation of players at home. It's now destroyed the game at every level in Wales.

10 Go to comments

Barry 7 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

Nor can the same coach turn it around. That's been proven across the last year. It will be years before they are even competitive again. It's a 5 year + job. No way Gatland will be around for that.

Italy's nadir was around ten years ago and even they were better equipped with their regions, U20s and senior squad and management. Wales have further to fall.

10 Go to comments

Barry 7 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

If they're happy at losing 12 on the bounce, get a regional coach who would be as bad but cost about a sixth in salary.

10 Go to comments

dw 8 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

I'm no expert but I've never seen nz or even aus as doing much for those nations? Both have benefited from their countries players playing for us! I see most of the top nations looking after themselves and maybe it's a world rugby issue?

129 Go to comments

richard davies 8 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

At 600k a year I would think there will be quite a Que. win lose or draw you can blame the small stature of the players and the WRU