JP Pietersen has backed Sharks playmakers Zekhethelo Siyaya and Gianni Lombard to show what they can do on Saturday against the Stormers in Cape Town.
Fullback Siyaya has replaced Luan Giliomee, who joined the Bulls earlier this week, in a back three with Springboks Edwill van der Merwe and Ethan Hooker for the round-three URC derby.
Lombard, who joined the Sharks from the Lions in the off-season, is set to make his debut for the Durban-based outfit off the bench at Cape Town Stadium.
Pietersen explained that Siyaya had been managing a hamstring niggle, but gets an opportunity to showcase his footwork, kicking game and ability to also operate at flyhalf.
TEAM: Bok trio start for Sharks
“We wanted to ease him back into playing, which he did, and it’s good to see that he can go through three weeks of training,” the Sharks boss told reporters on Thursday.
“It was actually good timing for him to play the Stormers game. Siyaya, as we saw last year, is an incredibly good rugby player.
“He can play 10 as well. He’s an outstanding kid. He’s still only 19 years old, so I think we must slow down with him and remind ourselves that he’s still a kid. He looks like a very mature player on the field.
“I’m excited that Siyaya is back in the team, and I know what he’s going to produce.”
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Pietersen said there have been “promising signs” in training of the player he knows former Junior Springboks star Lombard to be. The 28-year-old will cover flyhalf and fullback.
“I call him G,” the ex-Bok added. “You talk about how gifted and talented he is, but unfortunately he had injuries and couldn’t get going.
“He had a good pre-season with us, found his feet nicely and showed promising signs of the G we know.
“He can kick with both feet, and he’s a good kicker for poles too. He can find space, and he’s a great communicator.
“Hopefully, on Saturday he gets an opportunity to showcase what he can do.”
On No 6 Matt Romao, Pietersen said he was always going to start, and also expected to be given an opportunity against Lyon in the EPCR Challenge Cup next week.
ALSO: Cape Town a battlefield for the ‘meneer’
Meanwhile, Vincent Tshituka (concussion symptoms) is still recovering and could return in December, along with Makazole Mapimpi if his rehabilitation goes well.
Jordan Hendrikse and Jaco Williams have returned to team training and are being considered for the Lyon match.
On Bongi Mbonambi’s continued absence, Pietersen said: “Bongi is not up for selection. There’s no comment about Bongi.”
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
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JP Pietersen has backed Sharks playmakers Zekhethelo Siyaya and Gianni Lombard to show what they can do on Saturday against the Stormers in Cape Town.
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