As tonight’s match against Griquas looms closer, let’s start our regular Currie Cup milestones piece by congratulating 20-year-old hooker Monde Hadebe on being named on the bench, hopefully to make his senior Currie Cup debut.
A groin injury picked up by Craig Burden during training sees Kyle Cooper earn his first-ever Currie Cup start, despite making 18 previous appearances of the reserve bench. Westvilliean Hadebe becomes the latest in a long line of home-grown Academy talent to be given a senior opportunity this season as he takes over Burden’s spot in the 22. It’s interesting to note that all three of the hookers mentioned were born, raised and schooled in the Province, with Burden and Cooper attending Martizburg College and Glenwood respectively.
Two players are edging ever closer to the magical century for the Sharks, With Stefan Terblanche playing his 98th this week and Jacques Botes his 96th. Both should, touch wood, achieve that milestone during the course of this season, barring injury or a shock elimination from semi-fina contention! Lwazi Mvovo picks up his 35th cap, while two of the fatties, differing somewhat in age, if in no other way, should both reach a quarter of a century. Eugene van Staden will definitely get his 25th cap, as starter, but young Wiehahn Herbst will look to reach that same milestone if he comes off the bench.
There’s a similar situation brewing in the second row, where Anton Bresler (starting) and Ross Skeate (benched) will both get to 15 appearances. Meyer Bosman and Sbura Sithole will each earn a 10th cap tonight.
Congrats to all those concerned and good luck to the boys for tonight’s game.
Got to love our home grown talent
@Poisy (Comment 1) : Cronje starting at 9 this week is hugely significant, I feel… It’s like the bloke has been given a career lifeline of sorts. I think he’s going to be superb and leave us with very little doubt as to whether he has a future in Durban or not.
Good on yer Monde: keep the WBHS flag flying high!
@robdylan (Comment 2) : yup no doubt there! I wonder where ben is,he better be ready to lose our bet
Very dissapointed with Ross Cronje starting on Saturday over Hoffmann. I’d like to say he’s overrated, but don’t know many people that rate him.
Good luck to the Sharks. Hope they hold on so those damned Bulls don’t make the play-offs.
@Poisy (Comment 4) : I’m here..
@hendrikp (Comment 5) : Hmmm – not sure if you are joking. Cronje has been better than Hoffmann every time he has had a chance this year. To call hoffmann poor against OFS is being kind to him – he was abysmal and in my opinion along with JLP one of the two most overated non performers the Sharks have wasted money on.
@steve (Comment 7) : I also thought Ross brought more to the party this whole CC so far….
@hendrikp (Comment 5) : If the Bulls make the playoffs, do you think it will be at the Sharks expense?
@Poisy (Comment 4) : About the bet. Didn’t really have time to be creative so the same goes for you when you lose.
@Salmonoid (Comment 9) : I think the best possible result this weekend will be for us to get a BP win and Vrystaat to beat the Lekkadingas without either side getting a BP. Since I don’t think we’re table topping material this season, it would probably be better if the Lions just eliminate the Bulls from the semi-final race but then again, if they still have incentive for their next few games, the Bulls may be able to do us a few favours in our quest for a home semi.
@beet (Comment 11) : Thats how I see it. Province cant afford to lose tomorrow and I think would be a bigger candidate to missing the semi’s than the Sharks.
@beet (Comment 11) : This is no lie.
Not to be unkind towards players, it is funny how certain players are boosted by a move to another province and others tend to lose their glitter. The two in question here definitely falls into the latter category.
I really rated Bosman while he was playing for the Cheetahs and I thought Hoffman to have talent while he was at WP. But not any more.