Sharks name 27-man touring squad
With the commencement of the Vodacom Super Rugby competition just over a week away, Head Coach Robert du Preez, has announced his final 45-man Vodacom Super Rugby squad as well as a 27-man touring squad, who will depart for Australia on Saturday afternoon.
In announcing his 45-man squad, du Preez told the Sharks' official website: “The work ethic and spirit that these players brought to our pre-season was incredible and all credit goes to them for the positive energy that has been currently created. We effectively had a 13-week pre-season and there were no excuses at practice sessions or any complaints about being overworked, and as a coaching unit we commend our players for this.”
Squad: Beast Mtawarira, Andre Esterhuizen, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Coenie Oosthuizen, Clement Poitrenaud, Daniel du Preez, Cobus Reinach, Etienne Oosthuizen, Curwin Bosch, Franco Marais, Garth April, Francois Kleinhans, Hanco Venter, Hyron Andrews, Inny Radebe, Jacques Vermeulen, Jeremy Ward, Jean Deysel, Johan Deysel, Jean Droste, Kobus van Wyk, Jean-Luc du Preez, Lukhanyo Am, John-Hubert Meyer, Lwazi Mvovo, Juan Schoeman, Marius Louw, Keegan Daniel, Michael Claassens, Khaya Majola, Odwa Ndungane, Lourens Adriaanse, Patrick Lambie (c), Philip van der Walt, Rhyno Smith, Ruan Botha,Rowan Gouws, Stephan Coetzee, S’bura Sithole, Stephan Lewies, Sbu Nkosi, Tera Mtembu, Tristan Blewett, Thomas du Toit.
The pre-season warm-up matches gave the coaching team the opportunity to see how players faired after 11 weeks of pre-season training to getting actual game-time. Du Preez stated at the outset that if players put up their hands in the warm-up matches he would consider them and player ages would not influence his decision when picking a touring squad.
He kept true to his word by selecting four uncapped Super Rugby players to join the touring squad namely Stephan Coetzee, Jean Droste, Sbu Nkosi and new signing Jacques Vermeulen. Joining them in the touring squad are the other new signings Kobus van Wyk, Jeremy Ward and the highly experienced French international Clement Poitrenaud.
Amongst the new faces in the squad the coach has also opted for continuity in certain positions by selecting players who did duty for the Cell C Sharks in last year’s tournament.
The most capped Cell C Sharks player forming part of the touring squad is Lwazi Mvovo on 99 Vodacom Super Rugby caps and who is set to earn a well-deserved milestone on tour. He will join an illustrious club of centurions who have played 100 Vodacom Super Rugby games for the Cell C Sharks.
Super Rugby Touring Squad:
Forwards: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Coenie Oosthuizen, Etienne Oosthuizen, Franco Marais, Jacques Vermeulen, Jean Droste, Jean-Luc du Preez, Juan Schoeman, Lourens Adriaanse, Philip van der Walt, Ruan Botha, Stephan Coetzee, Stephan Lewies , Tendai Mtawarira, Tera Mtembu, Thomas du Toit.
Backs: Andre Esterhuizen, Clement Poitrenaud, Cobus Reinach, Curwin Bosch, Jeremy Ward, Kobus van Wyk, Lukhanyo Am, Lwazi Mvovo, Michael Claassens, Patrick Lambie, Sbu Nkosi.