Muir drops his centres

2008-05-08 19:05

Johannesburg - Sharks coach Dick Muir has overlooked both his centres for Saturday's Super 14 match against the Cheetahs in Durban with a view to scoring four tries for a bonus point.

Adi Jacobs, perennial replacement back for the Sharks, has been included to partner Francois Steyn at centre in an effort to up the try-scoring rate of the Sharks which has been dismal this season.

In another - somewhat expected - move veteran Johan Ackermann has also been included as lock after retiring at the end of last season and then again earlier this season when he helped the Sharks out in a period of lock crisis.

That is again the case. Ackermann, who turns 38 in three weeks' time, has settled into a job in Cape Town, and has been released by his employer to help out in this match.

The Sharks captain and first choice and lock Johann Muller is injured and Steven Sykes, back from injury, is on the bench and ready to replace Ackermann after he has done his bit.

More good news for the Sharks is that World Cup Bok Bismarck du Plessis returns as hooker after injury.

The team is:

Stefan Terblanche, Odwa Ndungane, Adrian Jacobs, Francois Steyn, JP Pietersen, Ruan Pienaar, Rory Kockott, Ryan Kankowski, AJ Venter (c), Jacques Botes, Johan Ackerman, Albert van den Berg, Brendon Botha, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawanira.

Replacements: CRaig Burden, Jannie du Plessis, Steven Sykes, Jean Deysel, Keegan Daniel, Bradley Barritt, Waylon Murray.

- SAPA