Ex Supersport
There is still an outside chance that Springbok centre Frans Steyn might be part of the Sharks squad that is expected to fly out of Durban on Sunday for the start of the Super Rugby Finals Series in either Canberra or Christchurch.
With the Stormers being denied the use of Canadian Jebb Sinclair for the knock-out phase even though it is quite clear they have an injury crisis at No8 and Sinclair has played for them since May, it may seem a long shot. But Sharks coach John Plumtree has hinted he may start the process of seeing if he can get dispensation from SANZAR for Steyn to play in the play-offs.
It all comes down to whether players in his position are injured, for the SANZAR regulations stipulate that a player has to be signed up to a franchise before April if he is to qualify for the knock-out phase of the competition. And as it turns out, the Sharks do have a few injuries to midfield players at the moment.
“Whether Frans is available or not is all dependant on injuries. Marius Jordaan is struggling with a chronic ankle injury and Paul Jordaan has a hamstring injury, so at the moment we’re pretty short in the midfield,” said Plumtree.
“It depends if we get Paul fit of not. We will certainty go through the process if we can’t get Paul fit.”
It would be completely understandable if Plumtree is prepared to bust a gut in order to get Steyn cleared to play, for he is an influential player who was solid against the Bulls and who Plumtree spoke highly of afterwards, saying that he had left the franchise as a boy and returned as a man. He has also won a World Cup and played in a Super 14 final so he has the experience a team would need in the knock-out phase of competition.
Can anybody explain how many players need to be injured. I mean if Sinclair cant play for us how bad does it have to be! If Frans gets the nod I will be surprised.
