Sharks go for Pietersen’s experience

With Sharks captain Pat Lambie laid low by a shoulder injury in their preseason tour of France, Gold tested out young Garth April at pivot in their second clash against Toulouse. The 24-year-old was up to the task and put in a commanding performance in Lambie's absence.

Many pundits thought that April had done enough to earn a start in their first Super Rugby match but the Sharks' brains trust thought it better not to thrust too much responsibility on April’s shoulders. With a wealth of Super Rugby experience, Pietersen was handed the number 10 jumper.

“There was a debate about it: do we go with Joe or do we go with Garth? It was put on the selection table and we were happy with Garth’s performances but there are two sides to selection,” Gold explained.

“There is what we want to see and then there is what is fair to the player as well and sometimes the player doesn’t see that. At the end of the day, they were warm up games and I’m not taking anything away from them but not a lot can be read into them,” Gold said.

“There was less pressure compared to now that we are in competition and in the limelight. Our progress with Garth has been fantastic, I’m excited by him and particularly fond of him as a player. He’s got a lot of x-factor and we will slowly but surely bring him into the mix but we don't want to put him under any undue pressure,” Gold said.

Nevertheless April will provide cover off the bench and will make his Super Rugby debut if he gets on the park this weekend.

Gold also made mention of Innocent Radebe, who has impressed in the offseason. While he is wet behind the ears in terms of experience, the 20-year-old is another promising talent and will continue pushing for selection.

“It’s a heated position that, even with our stalwart captain out injured,” Gold quipped.

Another youngster set to make his Super Rugby debut is lock Hyron Andrews. Springbok lock Stephan Lewies has nearly completed a long and arduous rehabilitation on his knee and he has been given another week to get up to speed with the rest of the squad.

“The idea was always to see if Steph was ready to go. He had a really bad injury and I think that it’s really important that when a guy has been out since we played the Reds last year, for the sake of a week, to give him the confidence and peace of mind to play,” Gold said.

The Sharks boss admitted that he would have selected Lewies had he been given the all clear from his medical staff. However Gold is confident that Andrews will enjoy a successful debut.

“My decision was made easier because I’ve been unbelievably impressed by Hyron. He’s been with us the whole preseason; he went on tour with us and put up his hand in France. I want those guys to feel that if they go and put up a performance like that they will be rewarded.”

It won’t quite be a baptism of fire but the Sharks certainly aren’t taking the Southern Kings lightly –considering the Kings’ off the field problems in the past few months.

“This is, I suppose in the bigger picture, not the time you want to play them. You almost wouldn’t mind seeing how they go half way through the competition,” Gold said.

“They’re going to come in with not a lot of injuries. They’ve had the help of the SARU mobi unit, they’ll be well coached and they’re going to be up for their first game back in Super Rugby.”

The Sharks face the Southern Kings at 15h05 on Saturday.

Twitter - @gazza_jenks @ECRSportswave

Facebook - ECRSportswave

Image Credit - Gallo Images