adminDurban – Cell C Sharks director of rugby Jake White has announced his 39-man Vodacom Super Rugby squad for 2014 ahead of the tournament which kicks off on Saturday.According to Sharks website editor, Michael Marnewick, Bismarck du Plessis will skipper the side with assistance from his deputies Jean Deysel, Pat Lambie and Odwa Ndungane in a well-balanced squad that shows just the right mix of experience in the form of Test match veterans and Sharks stalwarts who contribute calm heads, and the exuberance of youth that brings energy and excitement to the side.
“I’m very happy with the depth we have here,” explained Jake White. “The talent here is phenomenal and I can compare apples with apples. Comparing a side like the Brumbies who came second last year, to a franchise like the Sharks, I can say that there is unbelievable talent here; from 19-year-olds right up to Springboks.”
His overview of the squad is very positive.
“We are settled, we have senior players, Currie Cup winners and a positive energy, which is great. It’s just an added bonus that we have settled group.”
Meanwhile, Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské believes the Lions’ hunger for Super Rugby will make them a dangerous prospect in their opening match in Bloemfontein on Saturday. “It is good to have them back, but they will be a dangerous team, there is no doubt about that,” Drotské said yesterday.
“South African derbies in the competition are always important and also very risky. We’ve seen the underdogs beating the home side on quite a few occasions in the past so we are well aware of the threat they pose.”
Drotské named a full-strength side with Springbok flyhalf Johan Goosen making a return to the side after a long injury layoff, while Bulls recruit Francois Venter will receive a starting berth at centre.
Goosen suffered knee ligament damage before the side’s match against the Waratahs early in the season. Springbok prop Trevor Nyakane has been named on the bench with Caylib Oosthuizen being named in the starting XV. “Trevor will definitely play in the second half against the Lions as an impact player,” Drotské said.
“We gave Caylib the start based on the fact that he was the better of the two in the warm-up games. It is purely a decision made on merit and gives Trevor the opportunity to come on in the second half and show that he wants to start in the next game.”– Supersport.
Online Reporter