A massive win for the Natal Sharks.

Massive Win for Sharks | News | SharksRugby

28 September 2012 (21:04) - The Sharks and Blue Bulls played out to a nail-biting Absa Currie Cup match at Mr Price KINGS PARK on Friday evening, won 13-12 by The Sharks but never guaranteed until the final whistle.Games between The Sharks and Bulls are never short of excitement and tension and this was no different, although it was more the tension than the excitement that really carried the game from first whistle to agonising last.
Agonising because there was a referral to the TMO before the final whistle where The Sharks risked losing the game if there was any evidence of foul play, but fortunately there was none and a massive win, given the context of the game, was The Sharks, which sends them to the top of the log for the time being.
With the treacherous conditions underfoot and the rain coming and going during the match, it was never going to be a pretty game, but more along the lines of trench warfare, with close-quarter attack and forward-dominated play, especially from the visitors who used their trademark driving and pick and go to good, but unrewarding effect.
The Sharks certainly looked to run the ball when the opportunities presented themselves and had some good early chances which they could not convert. Such was the nature of the game that this was to be a recurring theme throughout.
With driving mauls, massive hits and plenty of kicking, the game was never going to be the type of open running rugby we expect on a dry pitch and the tactics suited the conditions and the two teams’ individual strengths.
There was very little in the game to separate the two teams, although true to form, it would be a drop-goal from the home side that would get the scoreboard going. Few opportunities presented themselves before The Sharks stole a lineout, sent the ball upfield and Paul Jordaan managed to rip the ball from the defender and sprint 40m untouched to score the only try of the half.
A further two penalties from the boot of Louis Fouchè took his team into the lead as they managed to go into the half-time break 9-5 ahead with the rain continuing to fall heavily.
The Sharks doubled their score when Cobus Reinach showed a clean pair of heels to the defences and despite being caught, he managed to offload to a speeding Keegan Daniel who did the hand-off thing to perfection before carrying a player over the tryline with him.
The third quarter belonged to The Sharks – at least on the scoreboard – as Meyer Bosman also kicked a penalty to give his team a marginal lead in a period where high balls, mostly by the Bulls, dominated proceedings as they searched for the mistakes which The Sharks simply wouldn’t make, Louis Ludik and Odwa Ndungane in particular proving heroically safe for their side.
The aerial ping-pong didn’t add much in the way of spectator excitement, but it was a game where winning ugly was clearly the route to victory where it would be punishable mistakes that would make the difference between winning and losing.
This was a game that went down to the wire, a point between the teams which meant either could score. But The Sharks held out under immense pressure, showing great character to cling on for the win.
Sharks captain Keegan Daniel said afterwards, “It was ding-dong, physical battle and we’re just happy to come away with a win. It came down to taking opportunities although we did let ourselves down with our discipline allowing them back into the game. We showed a lot of character there, hats off to the boys for managing to close that game out which ultimately you need to do when games are that close.”
Dewald Potgieter, the Blue Bulls captain said: “We played the game the right way, especially in these weather conditions, we created some opportunities but lost the ball at crucial times. Congratulations to The Sharks for closing out the game. Tactically we did quite a good job, hats off to The Sharks, they’re a quality team.”
Absa Man of the Match: Cobus Reinach
Scorers:
The Sharks: 13 (5)
Tries: Paul Jordaan, Keegan Daniel
Penalties: Meyer Bosman (1)
Blue Bulls: 12 (9)
Penalties: Louis Fouchè (3)
Drop-Goal: Louis Fouchè (1)

Three way race for top spot in Currie cup.

Three-way race for top spot

24 Sep 2012 08:48:19

It was touted as a watershed weekend and that is exactly what the seventh round of the Currie Cup proved to be, with a firm line being demarcated between the teams chasing top spot and those who face the twin challenge of vying for the fourth semifinal place and trying to avoid relegation.
With the Blue Bulls winning against the Cheetahs in Pretoria and Griquas losing in Cape Town, there are three teams in the relegation zone -- the Cheetahs, who are currently in bottom place, one log point behind the Bulls, who are in turn two behind the fourth-placed team, Griquas.
So theoretically the Bulls even in this season where there has been so much talk of crisis can still go on to win the trophy. And Griquas, who have been regarded as the surprise package, could still find themselves relegated.
Although the test match between the Springboks and Australia will take centre stage, this coming weekend’s round of matches will also go a long way towards deciding which of the three teams that retain a realistic chance of finishing top will be favoured going into the last two rounds.
Western Province, currently four points behind the log-leading Lions, host the Lions at Newlands on Saturday and the Sharks are at home to the Bulls on Friday.
Adding interest to an intriguing weekend will be the impact that Springbok call-ups could have on the top teams, particularly the Lions, who are now going to be without Elton Jantjies, Jaco Taute and CJ van der Linde in addition to the players that were already missing. Jantjies was the man of the match in the excellent come-from-behind win they scored over the Sharks in Johannesburg this past weekend and he will be a big loss to the tournament front-runners.
With Griquas and the Cheetahs also due to meet this coming weekend, there is also going to be a lot of movement in the bottom half of the log. A Cheetahs win can lift them above Griquas, and if the Sharks beat the Bulls, the Bloemfontein team could find themselves going from last to fourth in the space of 80 minutes.
So while the quality of the domestic competition is sometimes questionable, there is certainly no lack of intrigue and interest as it heads into the last part of the league phase.

Inspirational Natal Sharks Captain

Date of Birth: 05/03/1985
Place of Birth: Humansdorp
Position: Flank (loose forward)
Height: 1.88 m
Weight: 94 kg
High School: Dale College
Club: Jonsson College Rovers
Is fast becoming one of The Sharks favourite sons and was last year appointed campaign captain for the Currie Cup, missing just 65 of their 1200 minutes over the course of the tournament. An athletic, play-making loose-forward who consistently punches well above his weight, finally earning his deserved - but belated - Springbok colours. Named 2012 captain.

Super Rugby 2013 Draw released.

 

 

SANZAR reveal 2013 Super Rugby fixture list

The 2013 Super Rugby draw has been released

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Article Published: Friday 21 September 2012

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SANZAR have announced the draw for the 2013 season of Super Rugby, which will kick off with the Rebels hosting the Force at AAMI Park on Friday, 15 February.
The Australian Conference teams will be the only teams playing in Round 1 of the Competition with four of the teams in action.
The same will occur in Round 17 (just before the Super Rugby season ‘breaks’ for the June inbounds), while Rounds 18 and 19 (after the break) will feature only New Zealand and South African Conference teams.
This has been necessitated by the 2013 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia, which will see their Test matches against the tourists played on different dates to the normal ‘June inbound’ schedules.
"The Lions tour to Australia presented some unique challenges in preparing the 2013 Super Rugby draw," SANZAR CEO Greg Peters said.
"We are very appreciative of cooperation we received from the National Unions and broadcasters in preparing this draw and working through the issues."
Peters said there was much excitement building despite being months out.
"Over the last two seasons we have seen two franchises – the Reds and the Chiefs –win the Super Rugby trophy for the first time," Peters said.
"The emphasis in early rounds is again on local derbies that have again proven to be the most watched and attended matches in 2012."
The defending champion Chiefs begin their campaign in Dunedin against the Highlanders on Friday, 22 February at Forsyth Barr Stadium, the same evening the Rebels host the Reds at AAMI Park.
The Bulls and the Stormers kick off the season for the South African Conference with a titanic match scheduled for Loftus Versfeld later that Friday evening.
Saturday, 27 April in Round Eleven will see a 2012 Super Rugby Final re-match again in Chiefs territory for last season’s runners up the Sharks.
The second round of the season, when the South African and New Zealand teams kick off their campaigns, sees a ‘Super Saturday’ early, with the Hurricanes (v Blues), Reds (v Waratahs), Cheetahs (v Sharks) and Kings (v Force) hosting in what will be four consecutive matches to complete the first full weekend of proceedings.
Joining Super Rugby for the first time, the Kings’ first match against a team from their own Conference will be when the Sharks arrive at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday, 9 March, and a week later the new boys will play their first Kiwi side in the Chiefs.
The Crusaders and the Force will have byes in the early stages, and will not play their first home matches in Christchurch and Perth respectively until Rounds Five and Six.
Also notable is that the Blues will play a Sunday match against the Bulls in Round Four, while the Waratahs will host consecutive Sunday fixtures in Round Six and Round Seven – with the Crusaders, Brumbies and Force other sides to play on the last day of the weekend throughout the season.
Peters said the draw would build on the successes of 2012.
"The 2012 Super Rugby season was the most watched season of Super Rugby ever, both in terms of those attending matches live and also viewing on television. The 2013 draw will hopefully see us grow those numbers again," he said.
The Super Rugby Finals Series starts on Friday, 19 July, with the Super Rugby Qualifiers scheduled for that weekend – while the Super Rugby Semi-Finals will take place on 26 / 27 July, with the Super Rugby Final to be played on Saturday, 3 August.
Round 1 (Australian teams only)
February 15 - Melbourne Rebels (AUS) v Western Force (AUS), Melbourne
Feb 16 - Brumbies (AUS) v Queensland Reds (AUS), Canberra
NSW Waratahs (AUS) - bye
Round 2
Feb 22 - Highlanders (NZL) v Chiefs (NZL) Venue TBC
Feb 22 - Melbourne Rebels (AUS) v Brumbies (AUS), Melbourne
Feb 22 - Bulls (RSA) v Stormers (RSA), Pretoria
Feb 23 - Hurricanes (NZL) v Blues (NZL) Venue TBC
Feb 23 - Queensland Reds (AUS) v Waratahs (AUS), Brisbane
Feb 23 - Cheetahs (RSA) v Sharks (RSA), Bloemfontein
Feb 23 - Southern Kings (RSA) v Western Force (AUS), Port Elizabeth
Crusaders (NZL) - bye
Round 3
March 1 - Blues v Crusaders, Venue TBC
March 1 - Reds v Hurricanes, Brisbane
March 2 - Chiefs v Cheetahs, Venue TBC
March 2 - Waratahs v Rebels, Sydney
March 2 - Bulls v Force, Pretoria
March 2 - Sharks v Stormers, Durban
Brumbies, Highlanders, Kings - byes
Round 4
March 8 - Hurricanes v Crusaders, Venue TBC
March 8 - Rebels v Reds, Melbourne
March 9 - Highlanders v Cheetahs, Venue TBC
March 9 - Brumbies v Waratahs, Canberra
March 9 - Stormers v Chiefs, Cape Town
March 9 - Kings v Sharks, Port Elizabeth
March 10 - Blues v Bulls, Venue TBC
Force - bye
Round 5
March 15 - Highlanders v Hurricanes, Venue TBC
March 15 - Waratahs v Cheetahs, Sydney
March 15 - Kings v Chiefs, Port Elizabeth
March 16 - Crusaders v Bulls, Christchurch
March 16 - Reds v Force, Brisbane
March 16 - Sharks v Brumbies, Durban
Blues, Rebels, Stormers - byes
Round 6
March 22 - Chiefs v Highlanders, Venue TBC
March 23 - Crusaders v Kings, Christchurch
March 23 - Reds v Bulls, Brisbane
March 23 - Force v Cheetahs, Perth
March 23 - Sharks v Rebels, Durban
March 23 - Stormers v Brumbies, Cape Town
March 24 - Waratahs v Blues, Sydney
Hurricanes - bye
Round 7 (Easter)
March 29 - Highlanders v Reds, Venue TBC
March 30 - Hurricanes v Kings, Venue TBC
March 30 - Chiefs v Blues, Venue TBC
March 30 - Brumbies v Bulls, Canberra
March 30 - Cheetahs v Rebels, Bloemfontein
March 30 - Stormers v Crusaders, Cape Town
March 31 - Waratahs v Force, Sydney
Sharks - bye
Round 8
April 5 - Blues v Highlanders, Venue TBC
April 5 - Brumbies v Kings, Canberra
April 5 - Sharks v Crusaders, Durban
April 6 - Hurricanes v Waratahs, Venue TBC
April 6 - Force v Rebels, Perth
April 6 - Cheetahs v Stormers, Bloemfontein
Bulls, Chiefs, Reds - byes
Round 9
April 12 - Highlanders v Brumbies, Venue TBC
April 13 - Chiefs v Reds, Venue TBC
April 13 - Blues v Hurricanes, Venue TBC
April 13 - Rebels v Kings, Melbourne
April 13 - Force v Crusaders, Perth
April 13 - Stormers v Sharks, Cape Town
April 13 - Bulls v Cheetahs, Pretoria
Waratahs - bye
Round 10
April 19 - Hurricanes v Force, Venue TBC
April 19 - Waratahs v Chiefs, Sydney
April 20 - Crusaders v Highlanders, Christchurch
April 20 - Reds v Brumbies, Brisbane
April 20 - Sharks v Cheetahs, Durban
April 20 - Kings v Bulls, Port Elizabeth
Blues, Rebels, Stormers - byes
Round 11
April 26 - Hurricanes v Stormers, Venue TBC
April 26 - Reds v Blues, Brisbane
April 27 - Chiefs v Sharks, Venue TBC
April 27 - Brumbies v Force, Canberra
April 27 - Bulls v Waratahs, Pretoria
April 27 - Cheetahs v Kings, Bloemfontein
April 28 - Crusaders v Rebels, Christchurch
Highlanders - bye
Round 12
May 3 - Blues v Stormers, Venue TBC
TBC - Rebels v Chiefs, Melbourne
May 4 - Highlanders v Sharks, Venue TBC
May 4 - Force v Reds, Perth
May 4 - Kings v Waratahs, Port Elizabeth
May 4 - Bulls v Hurricanes, Pretoria
May 5 - Brumbies v Crusaders, Canberra
Cheetahs - bye
Round 13
May 10 - Chiefs v Force, Venue TBC
May 10 - Reds v Sharks, Brisbane
May 10 - Cheetahs v Hurricanes, Bloemfontein
May 11 - Blues v Rebels, Venue TBC
May 11 - Waratahs v Stormers, Sydney
May 11 - Kings v Highlanders, Port Elizabeth
Brumbies, Bulls, Crusaders - byes
Round 14
May 17 - Hurricanes v Chiefs, Venue TBC
May 17 - Rebels v Stormers, Melbourne
May 17 - Force v Sharks, Perth
May 18 - Crusaders v Blues, Christchurch
May 18 - Waratahs v Brumbies, Sydney
May 18 - Bulls v Highlanders, Pretoria
May 18 - Cheetahs v Reds, Bloemfontein
Kings - bye
Round 15
May 24 - Chiefs v Crusaders, Venue TBC
May 24 - Rebels v Waratahs, Melbourne
May 25 - Blues v Brumbies, Venue TBC
May 25 - Force v Highlanders, Perth
May 25 - Kings v Cheetahs, Port Elizabeth
May 25 - Stormers v Reds, Cape Town
May 25 - Sharks v Bulls, Durban
Hurricanes - bye
Round 16
May 31 - Crusaders v Waratahs, Christchurch
May 31 - Brumbies v Hurricanes, Canberra
June 1 - Highlanders v Blues, Venue TBC
June 1 - Reds v Rebels, Brisbane
June 1 - Stormers v Kings, Cape Town
June 1 - Cheetahs v Bulls, Bloemfontein
Chiefs, Force, Sharks - byes
Round 17 (Australian teams only)
June 7 - Brumbies v Rebels, Canberra
June 9 - Force v Waratahs, Perth
Reds - bye
Round 18
(New Zealand/South African teams only)
June 28 - Chiefs v Hurricanes, Venue TBC
June 29 - Highlanders v Crusaders, Venue TBC
June 29 - Sharks v Blues, Durban
June 29 - Bulls v Kings, Pretoria
June 29 - Stormers v Cheetahs, Cape Town
Round 19
(New Zealand/South African teams only)
July 5 - Crusaders v Chiefs, Christchurch
July 6 - Hurricanes v Highlanders, Venue TBC
July 6 - Cheetahs v Blues, Bloemfontein
July 6 - Kings v Stormers, Port Elizabeth
July 6 - Bulls v Sharks, Pretoria
Round 20
July 12 - Crusaders v Hurricanes, Christchurch
July 12 - Rebels v Highlanders, Melbourne
July 13 - Blues v Chiefs, Venue TBC
July 13 - Waratahs v Reds, Sydney
July 13 - Force v Brumbies, Perth
July 13 - Sharks v Kings, Durban
July 13 - Stormers v Bulls, Cape Town
Cheetahs - bye
Qualifiers
July 19/20
Semi-finals
July 26/27
Final
August 3

The Natal Sharks boosted by their returning Boks.

The Sharks have been boosted ahead of their re-run of last year’s Absa Currie Cup final by the return of two players who have been away with the Springboks.
Coach John Plumtree has also been able to recall lock Steve Sykes after an injury lay-off, so the Sharks will go into their return meeting with the Golden Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday evening sporting three changes from the side that beat Western Province in Durban last weekend.
The two players who were away earlier in the competition because of Springbok commitments who have been reintroduced to the mix are wing Lwazi Mvovo and hooker Craig Burden.
They replace Rosko Specman and Pieter Dixon respectively. Both Dixon and Specman drop out of the match 22 completely after playing in the starting team last week.
Exciting young outside centre Paul Jordaan is also back, but only as a reserve this week as Plumtree eases him back from a break enforced by him sustaining concussion in the match against Griquas two weeks ago.
Plumtree would also have taken into consideration the need to give Tim Whitehead a chance to build on his performance last week in his own comeback from injury.
Sykes comes back into the team in place of Jandre Kruger, who drops to the bench. His return has come at an opportune time as the Sharks will be banking on their tight five to front the threat posed by the Lions' pack in a top-of-the-log clash that the Sharks will be desperate to win as they are looking to break a sequence of defeats at Coca Cola Park.
It is interesting to note that Cobus Reinach has been retained at scrumhalf for the second successive week ahead of Springbok Charl McLeod.
Apart from a draw in Johannesburg in the 2011 Super Rugby season and a big loss in last year’s domestic decider when the Sharks were red-hot favourites to win, the Sharks are still feeling a bit sore about the shock defeat they suffered there just before the break for the international window in the most recent Super Rugby season.
The Sharks and Lions top the log, five points clear of the rest of the teams on 20 log points, but it is the Lions who have a slight edge at the moment on points difference.
So a Sharks win in Johannesburg will see them take ownership of top position with three matches to play, and after being forced to travel for last year’s Currie Cup final as well as for their recent series of Super Rugby knock-out fixtures, home-ground advantage is something they will be prepared to sweat blood for.
After winning their opening Currie Cup game at Newlands their recent away form hasn’t been great, with defeats to the Bulls at Loftus and Griquas in Kimberley spoiling the impressive momentum they have picked up at home.
THE SHARKS: Louis Ludik, Odwa Ndungane, Tim Whitehead, Meyer Bosman, Lwazi Mvovo, Riaan Viljoen, Cobus Reinach, Keegan Daniel (captain), Jean Deysel, Jacques Botes, Anton Bresler, Steven Sykes, Wiehahn Herbst, Craig Burden, Dale Chadwick.
Replacements: Monde Hadebe, Julian Redelinghuys, Jandre Marais, Brynard Stander, Charl McLeod, Paul Jordaan, S’bura Sithole.

Lambie rested for Boks.

Is Springbok utility back Pat Lambie being groomed for a surprise appearance in the starting line-up at Loftus Versfeld against Australia?
The Bok management released five players to play Currie Cup, but froze all 22 of the players that did duty against New Zealand in Dunedin last weekend.
While the likes of Craig Burden (The Sharks), Frans Malherbe (DHL Western Province), Jacques Potgieter (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Jano Vermaak (Vodacom Blue Bulls) and Lwazi Mvovo (The Sharks) have all been released to their provinces to play in this weekend’s domestic matches, there still lingers a question mark over the fortune of Lambie.
The Bok utility back has had precious little time to play and it would have been a consideration to release him to play for the Sharks this weekend to make sure he is sharp.
But with the Bok management being consistent in their outlook, and not releasing anyone in the match 22, Lambie will enjoy another week’s rest before the team re-assembles on Sunday in Johannesburg to prepare for the Loftus test.
There is a hope of a bigger role in the team’s fortunes, especially after the failings of Morne Steyn at flyhalf.
While Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer is not one to attack players in public, he is known to be disappointed in Steyn’s performance and has spoken about having to consider some “hard choices” ahead of the Loftus test, with Johan Goosen’s elevation to the flyhalf spot the favourite among both fans and media alike.
The Bok management are contemplating changes to the starting line-up and it is likely that some of the players on the bench are being spared action this weekend to ensure they pick up no injuries ahead of next weekend.
A clearer picture will emerge after this weekend’s Currie Cup games when the team is announced by Saru, with some injured players likely to be ready for action once again.
The Bok selectors will have to decide whether to recall Coenie Oosthuizen, who is expected to return to action this weekend for the Toyota Cheetahs, while Heinrich Brussow’s form warrants a relook at his situation as well.
Flyhalf Elton Jantjies continues to perform well at Currie Cup level, and there is an outside chance a big strong runner like Jaco Taute may also receive a call-up.
Winger Bjorn Basson is also fit again and will be looking to regain his spot in the national team, as is Sharks winger JP Pietersen. Banned lock Eben Etzebeth will have served his suspension and is also available for selection.
However, with players like Bismarck du Plessis, Siya Kolisi, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Schalk Burger and Pierre Spies all injured and others like Gurthro Steenkamp and Ryan Kankowski unavailable, there is not much room to move for the Bok management.
Thoughts of Fourie du Preez’s imminent recall from Japan seem to have taken a dent as Du Preez picked up an injury over the weekend playing for his club Suntory and it is uncertain what his status is.
The sixth player that was not part of the match 22 in Dunedin, Pat Cilliers (MTN Golden Lions), is currently injured and not available for selection this weekend.
The squad will convene in Johannesburg on Sunday evening to start preparations for the tests against Australia and New Zealand.

Coetzee wants improvement from his squad.

 Bottom

Coetzee wants better adaptability

17 Sep 2012 20:43:42

Considering the conditions his team encountered it would be easy for Western Province coach Allister Coetzee to dismiss the Absa Currie Cup defeat to the Sharks as just an aberration -- but he is not going to do that.
Coetzee admitted that what he called WP’s inability to react properly to the pressure they were placed under in the Durban match was a concern, and was the subject of an extensive team meeting on Monday.
“The conditions were awful and from that viewpoint I understand what would be meant if you just said we should forget about it and move on, but there are things we need to address moving forward that I was disappointed with,” said Coetzee.
“It’s not so much the reaction to the pressure as such, but the way we failed to adapt to the conditions quickly enough and play the game that was required. We are trying to play a new possession orientated game, so it is understandable that we were caught a bit off-guard. Obviously we couldn’t play that sort of rugby on such a wet day on a waterlogged field.
“In that sense, without wanting to make an excuse, the Sharks did have an advantage in that they would have experienced those conditions for much of the week. We hear they were training for a wet weather game. We weren’t as prepared, and on the day we didn’t adapt like we should have. You need to be able to adapt quickly if you are going to become a consistent winning team. What happens if we encounter conditions like that in a final?”
An appearance in a final is still something that Coetzee is confident of achieving despite the disappointment of the Durban defeat.
“As I said to the players when we met today, we were in precisely the same position after the first game in the first round, when we also lost to the Sharks, but at Newlands. We came back after that to finish tied at the top of the log after the first round was completed, so there is no reason we can’t do it again.”
Coetzee is right about that. The Sharks and Lions meet in a top of the log clash in Johannesburg on Saturday, and unless there is a draw one of them is going to fall back towards the chasing pack. WP are currently five log points behind last year’s two finalists, level with Griquas, who they face at Newlands on Saturday.
“We have a lot of respect for what Griquas have achieved in their last three matches and we are expecting them to come to Cape Town with the same busy running approach that saw them beat the Lions, Sharks and Bulls. They also have several players initially from the Cape, which always adds a bit to the intensity. But we know that and we know what to expect. After the Durban defeat we are determined to bounce back strongly.”

Injury and indiscipline hit DHL Western Province

 Bottom

WP lose Coleman to fractured jaw

17 Sep 2012 18:50:52

Western Province, already sweating on Tuesday’s disciplinary hearing involving loose-forwards Jebb Sinclair and Tyrone Holmes, have had their woes added to by the news that reserve flyhalf/fullback Kurt Coleman has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
Coach Allister Coetzee confirmed on Monday afternoon that Coleman was diagnosed with a fractured jaw following a collision in last Saturday’s ABSA Currie Cup match against the Sharks in Durban.
“Kurt is going to undergo an operation on Wednesday and will be out for the rest of the season,” said Coetzee.
Although Coleman was not in the starting team, his injury does complicate matters for Coetzee, who is busy trying to make up his mind whether to stick with Demetri Catrakilis as one of his flyhalves for next season or let him take up an offer from the Southern Kings. Gary van Aswegen will probably get his chance by playing off the bench against Griquas at Newlands on Saturday.
Flyhalf is of course not WP’s main problem at the moment. While last year the No10s were the players who seemed to hit bad luck every week, this season it has been the looseforwards, although Coetzee wasn’t going to be duped into ascribing the incidents that saw Sinclair and Holmes red carded in Durban to luck.
“The players let their emotions get the better of them and we will wait for Tuesday’s South African Rugby Union disciplinary hearing before deciding what action to take internally. Players who are yellow carded are automatically fined but when it comes to red cards it is different. Both guys apologised to the team immediately after the game and they realised they let their teammates down.”
Coetzee appears to be fearing the worst from the Tuesday disciplinary hearing as he has called out a raft of loose-forwards for training.
However, there is a chance he will select his loose-forward replacements from within the squad should Holmes and Sinclair be suspended and forced to miss the Griquas match.
“Don Armand has of course played on the flank so we may opt to play him there to avoid having to bring in new players who have to get used to our systems. It is a bit of a juggling act though because our tight five has been working well and taking Don out of that mix might be a risk as he has been good for us at lock.”
The good news for WP supporters is that Nick Koster may soon be back in action. The No8 has been making progress in training and Coetzee is hopeful he will be available for next week’s clash with the Lions.
Rynhardt Elstadt, forced to miss the Sharks match because of injury, is only expected to be back the week after next.

Natal Sharks win over the DHL Western Province.

Sharks' coach John Plumtree conceded that the two red cards handed out by referee Lourens van der Merwe were crucial in deciding the outcome of their 43-27 Absa Currie Cup victory over DHL Western Province in Durban on Saturday.
Loose forwards Tyrone Holmes and Jebb Sinclair were both sent off for punching, in a match which was played in heavy underfoot conditions, caused by sweeping rain, at Kings Park.
The match was a tight affair for the better part of an hour, with the hosts stretching their 16-12 halftime lead to 22-12 in the 53rd minute when Sinclair dropped Jean Deysel to the ground in the first incident.
Holmes followed suit 15 minutes later, receiving his marching orders for hitting Botes, while a yellow card for Wilhelm van der Sluys four minutes from time ensured the Cape side ended with 12 players.
"The red cards obviously had a huge influence on the game, which is unfortunate and not nice to see," Plumtree said after the game.
"But the referees have zero tolerance when it comes to punching and tip-tackling and that kind of thing. You just can't do it.
"So, it was bad for them, but made our task a bit easier."
Plumtree said the Province discipline was a worry for the competition and was disappointing to see.
"You don't want to see it, because it's obviously not something good," he said.
"You've got refs, you've got assistant refs, you've got TMOs now watching, so players just can't get away with it.
"Possibly, the yellow card at the end was a bit harsh, but things just weren't going for them. That can happen. It was a pretty niggly sort of game."
The KwaZulu-Natal side outscored their opponents by four tries to two thanks to a brace of scores by flanker Jacques Botes, added to a Keegan Daniel effort and a penalty try.
Province's tries came in the form of a double from scrumhalf Louis Schreuder.
"I think everyone added a little bit to the performance," Plumtree said.
"Obviously, the tactical kicking was important, territory was the main emphasis from both teams.
"We knew we were up against a pretty organised Western Province forward pack. I think we contained them for a lot of the game.
"I thought we got our tactics right tonight. Meyer [Bosman], Riaan Viljoen and Cobus Reinach had a huge role to play in the end."
The Sharks' boss, whose side are now second on points difference at the summit of the log, is desperate to back up their showing with another good one against the table-topping Lions in Johannesburg next week.
"The Lions have probably improved 30-40 percent since we played them last, they won at Loftus and now they won in Bloemfontein," he said.
"We know how hard it is to win at Coca-Cola Park.
"Hopefully, we'll put it all together and put on a performance that we're proud of."