‘Jinxed’ Sharks to open with bogey side Griquas again

A QUIRK of the Currie Cup is that the Sharks invariably draw Griquas in the first round and then have a heck of a time seeing off the tough diamond fielders.

In fact, Sean Everitt’s first game in charge of the Sharks, in mid-2019, was a debut he would care to forget given the Kimberley team won at Jonsson Kings Park.

“I don’t know who does the fixtures at SA Rugby but we have had the same fixture first up since 2013 … ” Everitt laughed at a media conference yesterday at which he named a formidable team for tomorrow’s visit to the diamond fields.

“Griquas will pose a big challenge — it is a Currie Cup with no Springbok players but that does mean exciting opportunities for youngsters,” said Everitt, who has lost nine players to the Boks.

“We also have to look after our senior players who have carried big load over the Rainbow Cup due to the PRO 16 starting two weeks after the Currie Cup final.”

Everitt pointed out that when he recently fielded a young team for the Rainbow Cup match against the Lions — close to the team he has picked for this weekend — there was a lot of energy and excitement from hungry newcomers.

“We will have a refreshed side and the guys know what to expect up there,” he said. “Griquas have not played for a while but had a good outing against the Cheetahs last week, winning 23-19 in Kimberley.

“The smaller unions are always fired up to try and get one over the big unions, but we played really well in our last three fixtures against them.”

Apart from resting the much played Curwin Bosch, Everitt has picked his strongest possible team, with his captain from the unbeaten Sharks Under19 team he coached three years ago, Phepsi Buthelezi, leading the side for the first time.

Everitt says Buthelezi’s leadership ability and maturity made the decision an easy one.

“Phepsi was head boy at his school and captained the teams he played for at DHS and he’s a player mature beyond his years. He came to The Sharks at Under-19 level and excelled as a captain in the team that won the national trophy in 2018.

“Due to his impressive leadership and performances that year , he became the national Under-20 captain in 2019, representing South Africa at the Junior World Cup.

“He has been playing exceptionally well in the Rainbow Cup, he’s a guy who has come through the ranks and we believe he is someone who can use this Currie Cup experience as a leader to take the Sharks forward in an exciting future.”

Sharks: 15 Manie Libbok 14 Werner

Kok 13 Jeremy Ward 12 Marius Louw 11 Anthony Volmink 10 Boeta Chamberlain 9 Jaden Hendrikse 8 Phepsi Buthelezi 7 Thembelani Bholi 6 James Venter 5 Hyron Andrews 4 Ruben van Heerden 3 Khutha Mchunu 2 Fez Mbatha 1 Khwezi Mona Substitutes: Kerron van Vuuren, Mzamo Majola, Wiehahn Herbst, JJ van der Mescht, Reniel Hugo, Mpilo Gumede, Grant Williams, Marnus Potgieter