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Sharks coach Sean Everitt says he’s eager to see how young scrum half Jaden Hendrikse performs in his first start against the Cheetahs on Sunday.
After making his Currie Cup debut off the bench in last weekend’s loss to the Lions in Johannesburg, Hendrikse will make his first start for the Sharks when they travel to Bloemfontein to face the Cheetahs.
The 20-year-old was ready to play for the Junior Springboks for the second time this year, before the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in the cancellation of the World Junior Championship.
However, with starter Sanele Nohamba, who has started most of the Sharks’ Super Rugby Unlocked and Currie Cup matches, resting, Hendrikse will have a chance to show why he is rated as one of the most promising scrumhalves in the country.
“Sanele had a break this week, with Jaden Hendrikse starting and Grant Williams coming on the bench,” Sharks coach Everitt said. “Sanele has played a lot of rugby this year and he deserves a break. We look forward to the opportunities the other two young men are having and seeing how they are doing.
‘With a little more time with Jaden, I’m sure he will improve over time in senior rugby. As you all know, he is still under 20 years old and young, so it is a good and exciting opportunity for him. ‘
Following a disappointing loss to the Lions, the Sharks are currently third at the table with two games to play before the playoffs.
Sunday’s game will be the first of two difficult road games to end the Sharks’ free-for-all campaign, with a trip to Cape Town to face the Western Province in a couple of weeks.
Everitt said that despite the strange circumstances of training on Christmas Day, morale is high at their camp and the Sharks will look to bring that energy to Sunday’s game.
“The preparations for the Cheetahs this week have gone very, very well. The boys have learned from the mistakes they made against the Lions. We have identified the areas we needed to work on. The boys have gone about their business as usual, with a lot of energy and intent to rectify the poor result against the Lions.
‘It’s been a strange week this week being Christmas, but the boys have embraced the Christmas feeling and have certainly gone out onto the field with a lot of energy. Training on Christmas Day was a little different, but the boys have worn their Christmas hats and had a secret Santa this morning. We are looking to really bring that Christmas feeling to Sunday’s game. ‘
Photo: Steve Haag / Gallo Images
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