Hope for Steyn as Botha ruled out
May 21 2008
Young World Cup-winning centre Francois Steyn still has an outside chance of playing for the Sharks in the Super 14 semi-final against the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday, but prop BJ Botha is unlikely to be involved.
Botha has a calf-muscle injury that will keep him out of action until next week when the final takes place, but if the Sharks lose on Saturday, the Springbok prop's Super 14 campaign is already over.
"BJ probably won't play on Saturday," confirmed Sharks assistant coach Grant Bashford.
"He did not train with the team today (Tuesday) but had a light workout. He has had calf-muscle problems before."
There was better news about versatile Springbok back Steyn.
"Frans trained with the team but did not take part in contact sessions," said Bashford.
Steyn suffered a rib injury in a recent match against the Cheetahs.
A few weeks ago this would have been a massive concern to the Sharks, and the thought of leaving Steyn out would seem laughable, but the form shown by the backs in the big win over the Chiefs should have given coach Dick Muir something to ponder over as he considers his selections.
The seamless way the backs and forwards linked on attack against the Chiefs, and the way that Ruan Pienaar seemed to step up when he had the creative presence of Bradley Barritt alongside him in the key decision-making axis, was a revelation in Durban on Saturday. And Muir should think twice about tampering with it.
"There is still time for Frans to recover before Saturday, but we have a number of options," Bashford pointed out.
"Brad Barritt did well against the Chiefs and may be given another chance."
There is also some uncertainty about the fitness of Tongan World Cup star Epi Taione, who has made a surprising return to the Sharks squad.
Taione was banned for six weeks after a head-butting incident earlier in the competition and his contract with the Sharks was suspended.
However, he is back in the squad and it seems almost certain that he will play on Saturday; maybe even as a member of the starting line-up.
"Epi has been away for a while and we've seen him in only one practice, so it's hard to say how fit he is," said Bashford.
"I don't believe he will play in the whole match."
The versatile Taione will probably be deployed on the flank, taking over from veteran Springbok AJ Venter who could be moved to lock.
Taione did not really have time to show his ability before he was suspended but he is likely to be given an opportunity to make up for his indiscretion in the match against the Hurricanes.