Frans Steyn to skipper Sharks

Springbok centre, Francois Steyn, will captain the Sharks in their pre-season friendly against the Leopards this weekend

In a clearly experimental lineup, Steyn will partner Tim Whitehead in the midfield while Meyer Bosman and Paul Jordaan start the first game of the season on the bench. Injuries are likely to ease the conundrum, but for John Plumtree it is going to be about who to leave out of the midfield combination each weekend.

The Sharks play the first of two pre-season trials/friendlies at the Woodburn Stadium in Pietermartizburg this Friday at 19h00.

Up front, Beast Mtawarira will be eased into the season, allowing yound SA U20 prop Allan Dell to prove that he is up to the rigours of senior rugby.

“Frans Steyn is going to captain the team because Keegan is going to play off the bench in our warm-up game this Friday,” explained Plumtree.

“I saw him as good back up to Keegan and it’s an opportunity for him to grow his leadership. I’ve noticed a big difference in him in terms of his personality and character since he’s come back from France. The players have a lot of respect for him as an individual and as a player.

“He’s a very competitive person, he doesn’t like to come second in anything he does and he’s probably going to be a regular starter.”

Lions import Franco van der Merwe gets a run for his new team together with the likes of regular campaigners in Jacques Botes, Jean Deysel, Charl McLeod, Patrick Lambie, Lwazi Mvovo and Odwa Ndungane all starting, with plenty of experience to come off the bench.

The Sharks
1. Allan Dell
2. Kyle Cooper
3. Wiehahn Herbst
4. Pieter-Steph du Toit
5. Franco van der Merwe
6. Jacques Botes
7. Jean Deysel
8. Lubabalo Mtembu
9. Charl McLeod
10. Patrick Lambie
11. Lwazi Mvovo
12. Francois Steyn (Captain)
13. Tim Whitehead
14. Odwa Ndungane
15. Riaan Viljoen

Bench
16. Craig Burden
17. Tendai Mtawarira
18. Jandre Marais
19. Anton Bresler
20. Keegan Daniel
21. Cobus Reinach
22. Meyer Bosman
23. Paul Jordaan
24. Louis Ludik