The Sharks u19 team has finally been named. They will take on the Free State Cheetahs u19 team in Winterton on Saturday 30 June 2012.
There looks to be some good quality amongst the backs but the pack will have their work cut out for them if the team hope to do well during this year’s under-19 Currie Cup campaign
Props: John-Hubert Meyer (Paul Roos), Matt Jones (Kearsney), Richard Palframan (Rondebosch), Nic Roebeck (Rondebosch)
Hookers: Morne du Plessis (Waterkloof), Warrick Venter (Selborne)
Locks: David Fisher (Pretoria Boys), Louis Hazelhurst (George Campbell), Myles Tucker (Rondebosch), Petrus Uys (Swellendam)
Loose-forwards: Theo Kruger (THS Sasolburg), Johan Meyer (Queens), Jean Pretorius (Sentraal), Schalk vd Merwe (Paarl Gim), Andrew van Tonder (EG Jansen)
Scrumhalves: Bokkie Carstens (Paul Roos), Stefan Ungerer (Maritzburg College)
Flyhalves: Brendon Cope (DHS), Hubert de Haas (Klerksdorp), Robert du Preez (Kearsney)
Centres: Michael Bernardt (Oakdale), Coenrad du Toit (Paarl Gim), Tyler Fisher (Westville), Gareth Meikle (Lomagundi), Sphu Msutwana (Dale College), Matt Phillps (Maritzburg College)
Wings: Leandre Ebersohn (Daniel Pienaar), Alcino Izaacs (Namib High School), Kotara Matsushima (Toin Gakven High School Tokyo)
Fullbacks: Sean Robinson (Waterkloof)
@Grasshopper: I think I have said it before and to add to the comment earlier, why Marne came down, he choose Sharks because he wasn’t going to get into the other provinces, unfortunately his performance this year against some of the opposition, he hasn’t performed, so I think he took a chance coming down here, but I don’t see it being long term , judging on what the media have noted he had little option but to come down here, and I suppose he had to take the gamble, it just hasn’t come to fruition
At this level it’s like a funnel so very few who might have been good possible just don’t make it , one just has to see how Handre Pollard has just pushed guys two three years out of school to the side line
And Cullen Collopy? Where is he?
Sharks better wake up.
Horsefly: With regard to boys going to Bulls it is an easy call. Housing on campus at Tuks. Everything within walking distance and they can study what they want. Varsity Cup option as well. It is all about balance and being looked after. Sharks system is flawed and the boys have no real campus life.
@Beet, good point. Marne still has 3 or 4 big games to play, Affies, College and Grey Bloem so we going to need him. Once he gets out of school and training daily he will get stronger and fitter, so will be able to compete with the out of school Under19’s better. OR he may just be not good enough yet, not sure..
@Grasshopper: Marne was involved in the warm-up game vs KZN u18 and he has been training with the Sharks u19 wider group. IMHO its always been tough for u19 schoolboys. Things are a little easier for them here in Durbs but still, at this level you’re a part-timer up against a virtual full-time player. Also the coach now has to decide between a player who’ll only be available to him for 3 weeks and a guy he has access to to select for the next 2 months. So only expect Marne to form part of u19 plans once his school rugby season is over and he has chance for an unbroken commitment to the u19 team.
@HORSEFLY NO.1: I also find it sad that we can’t at least hold onto our own talent players but opportunities in Durban are limited at the moment. The rise in status of the Varsity Cup and the introduction of the Young Guns compo has certainly worked against the Sharks. Just like you said, No Grey Bloem players in the Sharks whereas the FS u19 team have 7 Grey College old boys in their squad.
@grasshopper
Was just thinking about him, did he not try out or was he simply not good enough?
Good to see SA Schools centre Fisher there, very good player.
Also, about the boys that choose Bulls, I sometimes don’t see the logic when they would obviously have a better chance at Sharks. Anyways, good luckk to them and the Sharks team.
Very sad to see only 7 local boys in the squad. Obviously the other unions have more to offer, especially on the academic front where KZN’s universities are lagging behind. Not all rugby players want to study sports management or human movement science at Varisty College. @Horsie, yes most of the best players in KZN are off to the likes of the Bulls and Stormers. What surprises me is that Marne Coetzee came to KZN to make this side this year and has not even been picked!
Good to see Cope from DHS there, hope he makes the no.10 position his own!
Surprising not to find any GW guys there! Are they all at Bulls?