Smit a starter for hungry Sharks
Thu, 02 Oct 2008 11:47
World Cup-winning Springbok captain John Smit will start his first Currie Cup game for the Sharks in three years when he lines up against Griquas in Durban on Saturday.
Sharks Coach John Plumtree made minimal changes to the team that beat the Lions last week, as they look to maintain a winning run that extends back to July in an effort to remain in top spot on the standings.
The matchday 22 has remained intact, but Plumtree made three changes to his pack.
Smit replaces fellow World Cup hooker Bismarck du Plessis in the No.2 jersey, with the latter dropping down to a Bok-laden bench.
Another Bok who will be on the bench this week is lanky lock Albert van den Berg, with Steven Sykes partnering regular Sharks captain Johann Muller in the second row.
The final change sees burly flank Jean Deysel replaced by Keegan Daniel.
The Sharks' all-international backline remains unchanged.
The big news of the week is Smit's return to the staring XV, after he made his first Currie Cup appearance in three years off the bench last week.
The Bok captain sustained a groin injury in the opening match of the Tri-Nations tournament, when he was spear-tackled by All Black lock Brad Thorn in Wellington.
His role as captain of the South African national side has seen his provincial duties at the Sharks limited to the Super 14 competition in recent years, his last game - before last week's second-half cameo - in the Currie Cup having been in 2005. He has played 54 Currie Cup games for the Sharks before his lengthy absence.
Sharks: 15 Stefan Terblanche, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Adrian Jacobs, 12 Francois Steyn, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Frederic Michalak, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Keegan Daniel, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Johann Muller (captain), 4 Steven Sykes,
3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 John Smit, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17
Deon Carstens, 18 Albert van den Berg, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Rory Kockott, 21 Bradley Barritt, 22 Waylon Murray.
Date: Saturday, October 4
Venue: Absa Stadium, Durban
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan
Touch judges: Jaco Peyper, Reuben Rossouw
TMO: Michael Cupido
