The big changes to the Sharks team for their second-round United Rugby Championship clash against the Dragons on Friday night are the shift of Edwill van der Merwe from wing to full-back, and the promotion of Junior Springbok Jean Smith to fly-half.
Speaking from Newport, coach John Plumtree said he had long identified Springbok Van der Merwe as a potential full-back, despite the 29-year-old never having played there before.
“We lost Yaw Penxe to injury last week and I immediately thought about Edwill at full-back, because I believed he was one in the making even before he came to us from the Lions,” Plumtree said.
“Edwill is a smart player; he can kick long and is excellent in the air. He’s 29 and has been around the track, so he understands the defensive system and how it works in the back three with the full-back and wingers. I’m looking forward to seeing how he goes.”
In the season opener against the Warriors, Plumtree deployed Springbok scrum-half Jaden Hendrikse out of position at ten, but the experiment did not work out.
“I’d like to see Jean control the game,” Plumtree explained. “I want to see his decision-making around whether to run or kick. He has the natural instincts of a fly-half, which I enjoyed seeing towards the end of the Currie Cup, but this will be a step up in intensity. Jean will be tested in the back field, and it’s a good opportunity for him to show how he has grown after a few years in our system.”
Another notable inclusion in the Sharks’ midfield is Junior Springbok of the Year for 2024, Jurenzo Julius.
“Jurenzo is coming back after a pre-season injury,” Plumtree said. “He gives us more speed in the wider channels.
“We know how good he is in attack, and he’s developing quickly with good teachers around him in Francois Venter and Lukhanyo Am. He is picking things up fast.
“On Friday night there will be a lot of kicking in the expected rainy conditions. There will be many rucks to hit, plenty of defensive work, and the physical side of the game will be intense — Jurenzo has to step up to that plate, just like the rest of them.”
Sharks team for Dragons
15 Edwill van der Merwe, 14 Phiko Sobahle, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Christie Grobbelaar, 10 Jean Smith, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Vincent Tshituka (captain), 7 Manu Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Deon Slabbert, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Simphiwe Matanzima.
Replacements: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Cebo Dlamini, 19 Bathobele Hlekani, 20 Nick Hatton, 21 Ross Braude, 22 Francois Venter, 23 Hakeem Kunene
