Former UCT and Western Province centre Tim Whitehead has opted to swap the blue and white stripes and mountain vistas of Cape Town for a berth in the Sharks squad next season. In time-honoured tradition, the talented 23-year-old had hardly managed to unpack his suitcase in Durban before Sharksworld caught up with him for a quick chat.
We started off in the usual fashion, asking Tim to tell us a little about his early years and how he ended up playing rugby professionally. “I was born in PE back in 1988,” he tells us, “and grew up there – I matriculated at Grey High in 2006 and I played pretty competitive rugby all the way through, from quite a young age. When I finished school, I really didn’t have any major plans to go pro, so decided to go down to UCT to study Business Science, Finance and Accounting. While I was at Ikeys I was picked for John Dobson’s Under 20 A side there and we had a really good year there – I think we only conceded four tries the whole season and were unbeaten.
“John moved up to coach the first team the next year and brought me into that side – it was 2008, the first year of the Varsity Cup competition so I was keen to have a crack at it. We went into that competition ceded eighth, but managed to go through to the final where we lost to Maties. Things just went on from there – I played Under 21 rugby for Western Province two years in a row and then managed to get called up into the Stormers group where I earned the first of my ten caps in 2010. I guess it was at that point that I realised I could give rugby a serious go and make a career of it.”
Tim concedes that, as is the case with most players who try to juggle a professional career with studying, the latter was forced to take a back seat. “I’m still trying to study through UNISA – doing it credit by credit at this stage.”
We spoke about the decision to move to Durban, and Tim revealed that while there had been a potential opportunity to come to Durban as a loan player earlier in the year, it didn’t quite work out. “I think there was a bit of a communication break-down, to be honest”, he tells us. “I really wouldn’t have minded coming, but the guys at Province told me there were big plans for me there. I wasn’t really sure how long the move would have been for and I was very keen to play Currie Cup for Province – I thought there would be a good chance of a starting spot there with the Boks on World Cup duty. So at the time it seemed best to stay. Another factor is that I really didn’t want to join the Sharks without going through a pre-season with the guys… it’s such an important period in terms of getting to know everyone and bonding ahead of the season.
“When the offer came through to join the Sharks full-time later in the year, I grabbed it, because I was really keen to experience a new challenge,” Tim continues. “I think my performances had started to plateau a bit at Western Province and with little chance of game time when all the Bok centres re-signed, I thought a move to the Sharks would be just the thing for me, since I’ve always loved the rugby they play. I’ve been here only 5 days and I’m completely blown away by how welcoming everyone is. It’s like a well-oiled machine here too.”
We asked Tim about his favourite position, knowing that he’s played at both inside and outside centre for Western Province. “I’ve played 13 my whole life, right from the start,” he confesses, “although when they realised that I had a reasonable pass – a decent distributing game – they asked me to help out a bit at 12 when they were short. I think the wider game is kind of instilled in my brain, though – I tend to like playing it more to the wings.”
Tim is currently recovering from a groin hernia repair operation, the sort of procedure that player routinely put off until the off season and is currently in his third week of rehabilitation, meaning that in another few days time Sharks conditioning coach Mark Steele will be able to get properly stuck into him. He’s found a temporary home with former team mate Conrad Hoffmann, saying that “it’s great to have someone I know well to help show me the ropes. We’re also motivating each other hard – we have a shared goal to get into great shape and push hard for selection next year.”
Tim is a keen golfer when not on the rugby field and like many of the other new Sharks we’ve spoken to in the past, is keen to explore the courses that Durban has to offer. “I also really love the beach and have recently got into stand-up paddle-boarding, which I’m keen to do more of here,” he tells us.
We’d like to thank Tim for his time and wish him all the best for a long and successful career in black and white. Welcome to the Sharks Timmy Whitehead!
A huge welcome to the Sharks! May you make the team and score/make many brilliant tries. I love it that they brought in some young blood.
Seems like a genuine good bloke,also quite driven,knowing a few Grey boys myself,they are just generally great lad,he was pretty solid in 2010,definitely promising,but I think the emergence of Sadie this year might’ve had an effect on his game,hopefully he’ll grow into a great player at the Sharks
Sounds like a decent guy, I have doubts about his playing ability but like any player i will reserve judgement until he has actually played. Dont knock it till u have tired it they say.
@SheldonK (Comment 3) : you’re turning into a bit of a negative nellie, young Sheldon
Welcome and good luck Whitey
Welcome Tim
good luck with the season
Welcome to the Sharks Tim. Hope you have a long and successful injury free career with us.
I honestly believe this lad is going to shine while at the Sharks. Good luck Timmy
would you guys like him to start ? 12/13 ?
@robdylan (Comment 4) : Im just not a fan of the Sharks recruiting guys that are in all honesty average to good. There are guys playing club rugby that would kill to have a chance and would dominate a few in that Sharks squad. Remember preseason this year…the Vodacom Squad made up of mostly club guys beat the Sharks Super Squad in a game.
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 8) :
Didn’t we say the same thing about Hoffman??
Oh wait, that was Molly. I always knew he was gash!!
@wpw (Comment 11) :
Hoffman ‘could have’ shone for the Sharks.
But when you’re being stuck on the bench for all but 20 minutes of a Super Rugby season, and then messed around when you finally make the starting line-up, you’re not going to get far!
@Zibbie (Comment 9) : 13.
@hendrikp (Comment 12) : 100%…u gotta give a guy a fair chance to prove himself. Same goes for JLP and to an extent Sithole-altho his defense needs work.
@Zibbie (Comment 9) :
13. Where we are at our weakest.
I have a feeling that with a decent 13 outside him, Bosman will start performing again. Having Oom stef outside you for a whole season must be the most debilitating thing in the world for a 12.
Good thing Oom has left, 2 seasons too late but there you go.
15 Viljoen
14 JP
13 Whitehead
12 Bosman
11 Mvovo
10 Lambie
9 Mcleod
Looking better already.
@Zibbie (Comment 9) : Where is your ‘competition winner’ throphy?
@John Galt (Comment 15) :
no space for Louis Ludik . would you use him off the bench
@JarsonX (Comment 16) :
im going with confuses on this ‘won’
Confuses says to date hot nurse one has to be patient
@Zibbie (Comment 18) :
@hendrikp (Comment 12) : How was he messed around?
I say we use MJ off the bench. He’s cover for 12 and 13. Equally crap in both positions!
@Ben (Comment 20) :
In one week, out the next. Dragged off early.
Give the guy a shot to play himself into some sort of form. To get some momentum.
Rustiness isn’t going to be shaken off if they don’t give him a decent amount of game-time. The more he plays, the better he’ll get.
Paul Jordaan off the bench. Covers 10 – 14.
No better way to get him up to scratch then a few appearances off the bench.
@hendrikp (Comment 22) : Rusty or not. The guy didn’t show any potential to me.
@hendrikp (Comment 23) : Nah, Paul should stay very far away from 10.
@SheldonK (Comment 10) : it’s amazing how many club players say that
@John Galt (Comment 15) : I like that backline. But we will probably see Odwa instead of Mvovo and MJ instead of Whithead…
@Ben (Comment 25) :
Doesn’t change the fact that he can cover it off the bench.
@Ben (Comment 24) :
Didn’t see any of him at Province perhaps?
It’s like buying Dan Carter, giving him 5-10 minutes off the bench when you’re struggling, and then saying he’s got no potential when he doesn’t blow you away.
Hoffmann, if he’s given enough game-time, is the 3rd best scrumhalf available to the Springboks.
Tim is the ideal 12. Put Marius in 13. Boskak on the bench and your midfield worries is over.
@Zibbie (Comment 18) : Jy kook mater!
@robdylan (Comment 26) : Well put it this way…JP Pieterson, L Mvovo, A Bresler, W Herbst are examples of club guys that got a chance…not a bad track record id say.
@hendrikp (Comment 28) : Okay so if Lambie goes off and let’s say Ludik is playing FB. Who on earth is going to do the kicking?
@hendrikp (Comment 28) : Yes Hedrik and the fact that he comes from Province has got nothing to do with you saying that.
This is the big time. SR, if you can’t swim you will sink.
Welcome Tim. Hope you enjoy your stay and manage to shine very bright.
@hendrikp (Comment 28) : Seriously, how can you say he would be the 3rd best when you’ve seen so little of him. 9′s in contention.
Francois Hougaard, Ruan Pienaar, Sarel Pretorius, Jano Vermaak and Charl Mcleod.
The guy can’t even get a starting spot ahead of McLeod. I’m not saying he’s utterly crap but he aint as good as you make him out to be. Just my opinion.
@PaarlBok (Comment 29) :
soos Jamie Oliver ja !!!
@SheldonK (Comment 30) : club players my ass. All of those players have been contracted all the way through their careers. Only possible exception is JP who was plucked from the club ranks at 19 by Muir.
Come on Tim Whitehead!
I really hope that you can help revitalise our ailing midfield.
I hope you settle really quickly and that your stay with the Sharks is a prosperous one filled with many highlights
Welcome to both the Sharks and Sharksworld Tim! Really hope you can break our midfield/backline voodoo. No pressure
@robdylan (Comment 36) : Lwazi was not contracted, i dont think he has even played a Vodacom Cup game. Herbst and Bresler have played Vodacom Cup of late but also have played a lot of club rugby. There are a lot of so called contracted guys playing club rugby…so why do the Sharks need to go get guys when they have these guys in the system anyway? Get sum pride in the jersey and back the payers that actually play in this province and u may actually see sum heart from the Sharks not that gutless final performance.
@SheldonK (Comment 39) : I agree that we should look to our own structures first… But that means the Academy, to me.
Can you give me examples of the local centres that are being overlooked?
WELCOME Timmy, hope you have a great stay in the best province in the universe…. Do your best(and we’ll urge you to do better) and enjoy the rest
@robdylan (Comment 40) : Well Rob that’s a very unfair question to ask as Sheldon probably wouldn’t know how many centres of yesteryear currently reside in KZN retirement homes
@robdylan (Comment 40) : Well Rovers won club champs in 2010 and did very well again this year so guys in that side like Jerome Pretorius, Arno Van Zyl, Mark Richards, Chris Mickelwood, Anton Verster etc. Then from Collegians guys like Heimar Williams, Willie Du Plessis, and others i cant remember names now. Also guys like Howard Mnisi ,Dwayne Jenner and Jean Stemmet played Vodacom Cup and never got a chance. I know some have left for various reasons but i wonder how many would have stayed if given a look.
@vanmartin (Comment 42) : Well if i look at the last 12 months guys like Andre Snyman, Trevor Halstead and Deon Keyser were all in Durban…they about the right age for Sharks centres arent they?
@vanmartin (Comment 42) :
@SheldonK (Comment 44) : Little on the young side, I don’t think they’re ready for the step up to senior rugby just yet
@vanmartin (Comment 46) : Mayb in a year or two? Jeremy Thompson still livess in Durban, and Dick Muir also has some free time now…
Welcome Tim! Hope u become a regular reader! Speedy recovery and then hit the big time!
Welcome to the Sharks Tim!
@Ben (Comment 34) :
Please forgive hendrik.
He is just doing what most CT journos do when a talented youngster comes thru the ranks.
I remember Hoffman’s only good season when he made his debut in the CC as a 19 year old. He was VERY good but since then he’s had numerous injuries and has struggled to regain that form.
We’re going back to 2005/6 when Fester vd Merwe was WP coach. THAT is how long ago it was Hoffman had a good season!!
Welcome Tim.
Hope you go from strength to strength and go on to become a Sharks legend.
@wpw (Comment 50) : Haha Wes. I said this yesterday, not sure if you saw. Well done with your team wiping the floor with my team on Sunday.
@Ben (Comment 52) :
hehehe
And you guys lost against Leverkusen last night. Not a good result for your ‘under fire’ coach!!
@wpw (Comment 53) : Something is going to go down at that club! Don’t know what they see in players like Mikel and Ramires. They are useless! Very frustrating.
@wpw (Comment 50) : We don’t talk about those years Wes
Welcome Tim and I hope you recover soon. The Sharks are going to need a few good centres of which you have helped bolster that area!
@Tim Whitehead: welcome to the shark tank.all the best!tackle hard!
@robdylan: any idea what tim’s time over 40m is?
@bergshark (Comment 58) : I’ll try find out
@bergshark (Comment 58) : he says he hasn’t actually tested it in a long time
@robdylan (Comment 60) :
In other words, around the 7 second mark.
@Big Fish (Comment 61) : now now… don’t make me send you to “the Sheldon corner” …
@robdylan (Comment 62) :
Welcome Tim. All the best. I have a good feeling about you.
7′s rugby on, SA vs USA, intersept try by USA 5 – 0 SA
O yea O yea, Richards scores, go boytie….
SA 5 – 5 USA
USA scores again
SA 5 – 12 USA
HT
Dry scores,
SA 12 – 12 USA
Eish USA giving SA a hard time
100meter try, good interplay by SA’s try by Prinsloo..
SA 17 – 12 USA
That’s it, SA win 17 – 12 USA
Shaky start but a win..
@robdylan (Comment 62) : Do i have my own corner? Cool
@SheldonK (Comment 73) : “in rob’s house there are many corners…”
@robdylan (Comment 74) :
@robdylan (Comment 74) : Hahaha..so back to business, when are sharksworld going to be speaking to riaan viljoen? and nothing on the baabaas vs oz game?
@SheldonK (Comment 76) : all in good time…
@SheldonK (Comment 76) : there is a Babaa’s vs Aus post written… It was posted on Monday
@robdylan (Comment 77) : I see it nice work!