Jaded Sharks to freshen up

Jake White is considering freshening up his team for the visit by the Highlanders on Friday after admitting that the Sharks were a lot like stale tuna against the Cheetahs last weekend.

The 19-8 win over the lowly Cheetahs might have taken the Sharks six points clear at the top of the combined Super 15 log, but the performance took them back to the Stone Age.

The Sharks hardly penetrated and seldom sought to keep the ball for extended phases. Their lineouts were sloppy and were pounced on at regular intervals by Lodewyk de Jager and Francois Uys, although their scrums held steady.

What told in the end was the superior depth they enjoyed over their rivals when they brought on Ryan Kankowski and SP Marais from the bench, who found more space on attack.

"I am the first to admit that our game looked stale on Saturday," said White.

"I think it is time for change and time to get some fresh guys in. There are subtle changes that we need to make for the game against the Highlanders.

"I've got a short turn-around time to reflect on the new flyhalf and backline combinations this week and whether it is the right time to make changes.

"As much as a change is needed, the last thing you want to do when you've got only five days to prepare is to make six or seven changes. You also don't want to give the Highlanders, a team that had a bye and arrived in SA early, a leg up with your team selections."

It has become customary for White to go for peculiar selections in the backline, but he has stuck by each player to whom he's given the jersey.

From Sibusiso Sithole at outside centre to Lwazi Mvovo at fullback, White has now backed rookie Tim Swiel for another run at flyhalf on Friday, despite Frans Steyn's known capabilities in the position, with the boot and his decisionmaking.

There were parts of the game when it looked like Swiel, the third-choice pivot, was drowning under the pressure of his first start.

Missing two relatively easy penalty kicks showed signs of nervousness and he was unable to assert his authority on the game and hardly commanded his backline.

Steyn took over the goal-kicking duties to make sure that the Cheetahs never got too close on the scoreboard.

But the 20-year-old managed to salvage his image with a break in the 71st minute that set up the chance for Jean Deysel to score the match-winning try.

"Let's not forget that we played our third flyhalf in three weeks and, to be fair, it is always going to be difficult to put together some rhythm and continuity," White said.

"I'm not sure if I will start Steyn at flyhalf yet, but am likely to move him into that position during the game."