Sharks squad dissection:

The Sharks was able to keep most of their backline players from the previous season but the same could not be said for their forwards. They have lost the best prop in the world (the Beast) and the du Preez brothers. They have signed allot of new blood most notably Ox Nché who came over from the Cheetahs. They will hope to give their very dangerous backline clean ball and that is where I think the Sharks will look to play this season with their backline. If they can get the ball to the wings Mapimpi and Nkosi will score most of the time like they did for the Boks in the world cup. So for me if the Sharks want to have a successful season their forwards would have to work very hard to give the ball to their lightning quick backline who will be able to break through any defence, but they will also have to sharpen up their defence.

Players to look out for:

Curwin Bosch: He is a player who last year was underused, playing him out of position really hurt his confedence and ability to reach the World-Cup. If the Sharks gives him his chance at flyhalf he will be able to live up to all the hype that was made about this youngster when he played at the u/20’s. I believe he will finally reach his full potential if they fit him in his favored position at 10, he is the one key player this dangerous backline needs to expose the rest of the competitions defences. If the sharks are to fire this year and make it to the playoffs he will be a integral part of their success.

Makazole Mapimpi: He was the person with the second most tries at the World Cup with 6 to his name. That stat should just tell you how impressive this guy’s record is. He is lightning quick and will only need half a chance to score a try. If the rest of his team does their job right and are able to get the ball to the edges of the field their very dangerous wingers will be able to finish the job and score a try.

Ox Nché: Now I know that he is not a very well known prop but I have had my eye on him for a while now. I know the man he is replacing is the Beast and he was the best prop in the world in 2019 , but this youngster brings a entirely different package to the front row. He is one of the best scrummagers in the game. but his very best atribute is his running with the ball. I know he is a prop but wow the only player I can compare him with is Dane Coles of New Zealand. He runs almost like another inside center and can distribute ass well. I am glad that i am not the South African selector he has to pick between some of the best props in the world and Ox is just one of them.

New players in the team:

Taakhir Abrahams (Halfback), Jodan Chait (Flyhalf), Boeta Chamberlain (Flyhalf), Murray Koster (Center), JP Pietersen (Utility back), Madosh Tambwe (Wing), Craig Burden (Hooker), Celimpilo Gumede (Lock), Michael Kumbirai (Prop), Ox Nché (Prop), Sikhumbuzo Notshe (Loose Forward), Andisa Ntsila (Loose Forward), Le Roux Roets (Lock), Evan Roos (Utility forward), Jordan Sesink-Clee (Lock), Emile van Heerden (Lock), Henco Venter (Flanker), James Venter (Flanker).

Players that left the team:

Andrew Evans, Armand van der Merwe, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Coenraad Oosthuizen, Courtney Winnaar, Daniel du Preez, Gideon Koegelenberg, Jacobus van Wyk, Jacques Vermuelen, Jean-Luc du Preez, Juan Schoeman, Kwanda Dimaza, Leolin Zas, Luke Stringer, Muller du Pelssis, Philip van der Walt, Rhyno Smith, Robert du Preez, Ruan Botha, Tendai Mtawarira, Wian Vosloo.