Two players who have represented the Sharks at various levels of the game will join up with the EP Kings ahead of this year’s Currie Cup – and presumably next year’s Super Rugby – tournament.
Scrumhalf Scott Mathie, who played for the Sharks at Currie Cup and Super Rugby level between 2006 and 2008, has returned from the UK (where he represented both Leeds and the Sale Sharks) to join up with the EP side, according to his agent Anthony Johnston.
In a somewhat more surpsing development, Beeld reports that former Sharks XV flyhalf Wesley Dunlop has also returned to the Bay. Dunlop matriculated at Grey High in PE before joining the Sharks Academy. He went on to star for the Sharks at age-group and Vodacom Cup level before joining EP on loan for the Currie Cup a few years back. He has since moved on to the Bulls, though, where he went on to play a starring role in Tukkies’ maiden Varsity Cup triumph this year.
It had been widely assumed that “Horse” would be one of the Bulls’ go-to men in this year’s Currie Cup, making the decision to swap Pretoria for PE all the stranger.
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Province should have a look at Dunlop.
I don’t remember much of Mathie, but i do remember rating him more highly than McLeod when he left…
Dunlop is a good signing.
Megatron, your opinion on these two signings?
Pleased for the 2 lads – they get a shot at Super rugby. However I’m not sure they (and maybe other signings along their calibre) will do much to enhance the Kings chances. My understanding from the prose from SARU is Kings will play in 2013. Thereafter there may be relegation / promotion playoffs (still all in the air?) This could be the Kings only year in SR..?? I’m surmising here.
@Caratacus (Comment 5) : Well, we’ve seen from our beloved Sharks that it’s not the opposition on the field that gets you the victory, but rather their position on the log
But, apparently the Kings will have a two year free SR pass, where the 4th placed team will have to play promotion/relegation match for 2013.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 6) : 2 Years? Ok, didnt know that – well at least it gives them a fair shot. Coming 4th ….hmmm… we’re third this year with the Cheetahs not far behind…
@Caratacus (Comment 7) : and given that the promotion-relegation match would most likely be played at our favourite hunting ground of Ellis Park
I wouldnt be surprised if next year we see 90% of the Lions parading as the Kings and vice versa with the current Kings squad. This situation will then be reversed in 2 years time.
Funny how much can change in a week.
Last week we were speculating how many Lions would join the Kings and if we`d sign some of them . . . Now we have Sharks joining the Kings!
@Original Pierre (Comment 10) : Ex Sharks
Read in the SARugby mag that the Kings plan to sign a number of “foreign” Saffas with the likes of even Brent Russell being named. Yeah yeah, I know. Keo = SARugby.
I think Louis Fouche was a shorthead ahead of The Horse at the Bulls (no pun intended at all). Any other flyhalf bench warmers up north come CC?
@JustPlainSHARK (Comment 12) :
Dont know who they plan to sign from the North, cant be too many as most European contracts have been renewed. I guess Kockott might be a possibility, or Riaan Swanepoel (all old EC boys).
Read on Beeld that Michael Killian is also moving back to the EC.
@Pat (Comment 13) : Riaan Swanepoel? Since when is Kimberley in the Eastern Cape?
@Pat (Comment 13) :
Jip Killian is leaving as well …
@robdylan (Comment 14) : its in the cape no doubt..just far north haha
@Original Pierre (Comment 10) :
LOL OP . sis man !!!!
But no honestly . if the Kings thing is to be successful the Lions would still have to exist . And moving players between the Kings and the Lions wont help (same team different name ?)