After reading about the issue of injuries of -
* especially key backline players;
* the battle Plumtree is having to get Steyn into some acceptable physical form and fitness; and
* last weeks poor performance by Bosman, and
* the general malaise that the Sharks have shown insofar as overall backline performances in Super 15 this year,
it is evident that the Sharks have some major problems in going further in the compeititon this year. It indeed is a pity. All three their top line full back and two wings are out of the tour. Their key inside center is out with injury as well. The Sharks rushed into contracting Steyn - and then found out he is competely out of form and is unconcerened about getting back into form.
There are limited options open to Plumtree. Looking at his squad he has at his disposal - he may end up with having to play the following line-up this weekend against the Cheetahs:-
15 Viljoen
14 Robinson
13 Joubert/Jordaan
12 Jordaan/James
11 Sithole
10 Lambie
9 Reinach
However, that will not be an answer as to the tour party. They will need more than those players to have available on tour. I think it is likely that Plumtree would call on other franchises to help him out - since his own franchise has virtually nobody to fall back on.
I do believe that he should actually try and get the following players on loan for the tour:-
Full Back - Timo Swiel (Stormers)
Wings - Steven Hunt (Sevens), Cheslin Kolbe (Sevens), Tyler (Under 20 squad)
Centers - William Small-Smith (Bulls), Pat Howard (Stormers), Stokkies Hanekom (Lions)
Plumtree can also fall back on Tyler as well as he is contracted by the Sharks in the first instance.
Some of the above players can play in various positions as well. Swiel is a very good flyhalf. Kolbe can play at full back as well. However, the problem is that Howard can play at wing - but his better position is 13, while Small-Smith is a 13 specialist. A major problem is will SARU release the sevens players, will the provincial franchises play ball, and besides that will the players themselves agree to such an arrangement. Tyler can be called up without permission from anybody - but he is due to play on Saturday in Argentina and will presumably only get back to SA by Monday - ie after departure of the tour group. He could fly out on Tuesday - but it will be problematic - since the first game in NZ is already on Friday. Flying 3/4 way round the world in one week - will have him jet-lagged completely. That is if he does not get called back to SA by as early as Saturday.
At 12 there is a real jam. I do not think Plumtree will take an unfit Francois Steyn on tour - at this stage his condition is such that he would only play as a last resort if all else fails. At 12 I think the selection would be during the tour would be Jordaan and James - but that is also very thin.
We will see later today what Plumtree comes up with. I hope he gets all the help he needs.
