Cronje to marshal Sharks again

The news that Argentinian star flyhalf Juan Martin Hernandez is likely to be in the Sharks' selection mix for next week's battle with the Blue Bulls in Durban will be comfort for the Sharks' management ahead of that match

But in the here and now of this week, they will once more step forward unto the breech with a relatively inexperienced backline for Friday night's Absa Currie Cup match against Boland in Durban (7.10pm).

But there is nevertheless talent in that back division, and Sharks fans will see much more of flyhalf Guy Cronje's undoubted talent in the dry conditions of the Absa Stadium, as opposed to last week's weather inclemency at Newlands.

In fact, Sharks fans could possibly see two Cronjes in action because Guy's twin brother, Ross, has been included on the bench, although with Rory Kockott being the team's goal-kicker, it would probably require an injury for the Michaelhouse brothers to end up in tandem at nine and 10.

Hernandez, one of the stars of the 2007 Rugby World Cup, has agreed to terms with the Sharks and his arrival is now tied up in work permit red tape.

Last week, Guy Cronje could not have had worse conditions for his debut because he is not the biggest kicker in the game, and the heavy rain negated his natural ability to distribute the ball while promoting the prodigious kicking gifts of his opposite number, Willem de Waal.

Ross Cronje has been promoted from the under-21s, and replaces Charl Macleod on the bench.

Ross was in favour in the early stages of 2009's Super 14 before making way for Macleod, but the tables have again been turned.

In the only change to the backline that started against Province, Lwazi Mvovo has ousted Emerging Springbok Luzuko Vulindlu.

Coach John Plumtree has had to make two changes to his pack.

Tight-head prop Jannie du Plessis's promotion to the Tri-Nations Springbok squad has opened the door for a third Michaelhouse pupil of recent vintage in Pat Cilliers, and his place on the bench is taken by Wiehahn Herbst, another promising youngster called up from the under-21 ranks.

In the second row, the injury to Johann Muller has resulted in a recall for veteran Albert van den Berg. Nikolai Blignaut will provide lock cover.

The Kavaliers, meanwhile, have made one change for their trip to Durban from the side that beat the Leopards last week.

Deon Scholtz moves from wing to outside centre in place of Cornal Hendricks, who injured his back against the Leopards, with utility back Mark Harris starting on the wing and Alvin Hugo promoted to the bench.

Sharks: 15 Stefan Terblanche (capt), 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Andries Strauss, 12 Riaan Swanepoel, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Guy Cronje, 9 Rory Kockott, 8 Keegan Daniel, 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Albert van den Berg, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Patrick Cilliers, 2 Craig Burden, 1 Deon Carstens. Subs: Skipper Badenhorst, Wiehahn Herbst, Nikolai Blignaut, Justin Downey, Ross Cronje, Monty Dumond, Luzuko Vulindlu.

Boland Kavaliers: 15 Justin Peach, 14 Mark Harris, 13 Deon Scholtz, 12 Dewey Swartbooi, 11 Sogidashe Luvo, 10 Elgar Watts, 9 Marnus Hugo, 8 Alwyn Bester, 7 Wendall Wehr, 6 Zolani Mofu, 5 Rito Hlungwane. 4 Frikkie Spies, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Conrad Burke (capt), 1 Janro Van Niekerk. Subs: Lewis Clemin, Jane du Toit, Grant le Roux, Karel Hoffman, Angelo Brinkhuys, Alvin Hugo, Hein Myburgh.

• This article was originally published on page 26 of The Mercury on July 16, 2009