Young and old … Pat Lambie (L) and Bismarck du Plessis are two Sharks to keep an eye on.
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We continue our countdown to the Super Rugby season by looking at the Sharks, the team Greg Clark predicts will finish second in the South African conference.
Willem Alberts, Meyer Bosman, Jacques Botes, Anton Bresler, Craig Burden, Marcell Coetzee, Keegan Daniel, Jean Deysel, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Alistair Hargreaves, Wiehahn Herbst, Conrad Hoffmann, Marius Joubert, Ryan Kankowski, Patrick Lambie, Louis Ludik, Jandre Marais, Charl Mcleod, Frederic Michalak, Tendai Mtawarira, Lwazi Mvovo, Odwa Ndungane, JP Pietersen, Ross Skeate, Eugene van Staden, Riaan Viljoen, Tim Whitehead.
Who’s new: Marius Joubert, Riaan Viljoen, Tim Whitehead.
Who’s shot through: Ross Cronje, Adrian Jacobs Gerhard Mostert, John Smit, Riaan Swanepoel, Steven Sykes, Stefan Terblanche, Eugene van Staden.
Then and now: With only skipper John Smit and veteran Stefan Terblanche moving on in the off-season, the 2012 version of the Sharks will have a pretty familiar look to the side that reached the 2011 play-offs. Perhaps the biggest change will come in the front row, where Bismarck du Plessis will finally be able to call the No.2 jersey his own. The back row will be strong again, with the likes of Keegan Daniel, Willem Alberts and Ryan Kankowski providing powerful ball-running options and ferocious defence. Coach John Plumtree has already indicated he will use boom youngster Patrick Lambie at fly half, meaning French recruit Frederic Michalak will provide impact from the bench.
Be sure to return on Friday when foxsports.com.au concludes its preview of the South African Super Rugby conference.
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Main Man: Patrick Lambie. Much was expected of Lambie in only his second Super Rugby season and the 21-year-old didn’t disappoint from fullback. Lambie marshalled the Sharks backline superbly, prompting Plumtree to move the Springboks No.15 closer to the action in 2012. With a powerful pack getting the job done up front, Lambie should get the time and space he needs to control the game through his tactical kicking. He is also a far better defender then the Sharks other fly half option, Michalak, too.
Next big thing: Sibusiso Sithole. The IRB Sevens circuit has already produced a number of fine Super Rugby players and Sithole is the latest graduate attracting plenty of attention. Sithole displayed plenty of potential in his first Currie Cup season and with JP Pietersen exploring a possible move to outside centre, there could be one less contender for a wing spot. Still, Lwazi Mvovo and Odwa Ndungane are likely to be given first chance to fill the No.11 and 14 jerseys.
Fox Sports Stats: The decision to move Patrick Lambie to fly half may be about having more direction in the playmaking role, but it is also set to improve the Sharks midfield defence, too. Last year, Lambie made the most tackles of any Sharks back (133) and fourth most of any player in the squad.
The Adjudicator: I really like the look of the Sharks this year, particularly after someone finally explained to John Smit what “overstaying your welcome” actually means. With the weary Springboks skipper trudging through the English mud, I can’t wait to see Bismarck expand his ever-growing repertoire of wrestling moves with the help of his tag-team partner, and brother, Jannie. There’s plenty of other Sharks that I’m looking forward to watching, but as is the case every year, I’ll be keeping one eye on the sidelines. The Adjudicator digs the Shark Tank.
Fantasy darkhorse and banker: He may not be the first-choice halfback or fly half, but Frederic Michalak (200k) will make his presence felt from the Sharks bench. The enigmatic Frenchman is back for another stint in Durban and on the back of some solid Currie Cup form, could be worth risking for the attractive price of 200K. He doesn’t come cheap, but Bismarck du Plessis (400K) is well worth the hefty asking price. Few hookers get through the amount of work du Plessis does and with a powerful pack behind him, 2012 looks set to be another bumper year.
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Clarkie says: With tough away games against the Bulls and Stormers to open their campaign, the Sharks then play the Lions and defending champs, Queensland Reds, at home before a tough road trip abroad. They play New South Wales Waratahs, the Brumbies, Hurricanes and Blues in what will be a make-or-break month on the road. Six of their last eight games are at home and they’ll need to win the bulk of them if they’re to repeat last year’s effort of reaching the play-offs. But they’ve lost their way on occasions in recent years and failed to live up to their potential. Young Springboks star Patrick Lambie is a key player, they have pace out wide, and experienced forwards like the du Plessis brothers, The Beast and Ryan Kankowski will lead the way up front.
