The Sharks procurement committee that met on Thursday have put on hold a decision on whether to take back Springbok captain John Smit, should he return permanently from France.
By Mike Greenaway
The Sharks procurement committee that met on Thursday have put on hold a decision on whether to take back Springbok captain John Smit, should he return permanently from France.
SA Rugby announced on Wednesday that Smit would be the Springbok captain for this year and that they were negotiating a release for Smit from his two-year contract with Clermont Avergne.
Sharks CEO Brian van Zyl said it was too early for the Sharks to act on this development, because SA rugby’s discussions with Clermont were in their infancy and nothing was concrete.
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=6&click_id=18&art_id=vn20080222071216529C676968
EDITORS NOTES: Some big decisions still to be made by the Sharks that will affect SA and Sharks rugby in a big way.
Bismark is a future star, while a lot has been invested in Burden. John is about 30 now, which is about the prime for a hooker, but methinks that he will only play till about 32 anyway; in SA at any rate.
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Hardly THAT surprising that they decided not to decide at this stage.
If they were definitely going to contract him, though, they would have said so.
Maybe they want to see how the situation looks at the end of the Super 14. A lot probably depends on how Burden goes in th Super 14 and whether Jenneker finally lives up to his promise
This just gives the sharks more depth in that position and also adds another loosehead if necessary. I don’t see a problem with Smit and Bismark working in tandem. PdeV is clearly planning for the Lions tour and bringing Smit back for that is a master stroke, whether it’s to be the captain for the tour, or for Smit to help nurture the next captain.
Wilkommen auf Ruggaworld, Wors! Sehr Gemichtlicht!
Or something
Wors – what do you think of This article that I wrote yesterday?
🙂 Cheers RobD, really like the look of this site.
thanks Wors. It’s good to see you on here.
We must still make a plan about that braai. Maybe in the spring?
Ja, for sure, our door is always open and there is always chracoal around to fire up Mr Weber. Will have to look at the rugby calendar to sort out a date, perhaps the S14 final when the Sharks are at home?
now I LIKE the sound of that one!
I see your points in the other article, but still believe Smit will be of value to the Sharks squad, as others mentioned, he probably won’t play in this years S14 anyway, where Bismarck will cement his position as one of SA’s best, but Smit’s leadership is where his value really lies and surely the other hookers in the squad can only benefit from his experience.
I htink John was important to the Sharks as a captain, but I’d prefer a long term investment in the future. Unfortunately, the lure of the foreign riches is a huge factor, and something we in SA need to overcome. Bismack has the opportunity to make the position his own, and if the Sharks could hang onto their young talent (Bissy, Burden, Cilliers, Beast, Sykes, Kanko, Pienaar, Barritt, Murray, JP, Frans) we could be in for a few golden years in Durban.
But I have a sneaking suspicion that with Dick’s departure, we will also have others – unrelated.
This simply HAS to be the Sharks year, not should, but must.
HB? Are contracts coming to an end at the end of this year?
I just prayer that nobody has serious ideas about reconverting John into a prop….its been shown time and time again that he is a weak scrummager at prop.
Rob, no idea, and if Rudi was clever, he would ahve tied the major players in for 3 years or more at the end of last year after we lost Butch, Monty, John, to make sure there is a good succession plan going forward and that we hold onto some of our stars.
We however, don’t want a Bakkies scenario, and that happened before with Puke and Brent if you recall.
(Considering the Mujati situation now -and with the 2 players below in mind, the Stormers seem to be hellbent on creating problems with contracting players….)
ha ha… Dive Pass’s favorite drum 😉
Well – we do have a lot of really good talent in some areas. Prop and centre are where the most congestion is
RD – have organised your interview. Where should I e-mail his contact details to you?
Yeah, but what if the Sharks lose Bismarck, BJ, Jannie, Kees – they are in a spot of bother….
Kees can go. Either BJ or Jannie can go as well,, just not both.
Bis HAS to stay…
HB-Lose them to what?
Nessa, who is Rob stalking?
BJ has deep roots in Durban, and I dont know if the Du Plessis’ are likely to travel too far from the farm.
Its our backs that are of concern to me as well.
Just cricket.Just for fun.
Morkel just 5 wicket-hauled Bangladesh
I got to keep beating as hard as I can…. because notwithstanding his inspect-your-own-anus efforts every time he packs down at prop it seems everyone from the guy next to me in the King Park stands to Jack White thinks he can play prop (albeit on an occassional part-time basis with White).
Smit coming back to Sa and playing for any team other than the Sharks just won’t be right.
Naas will always be a Bull
Krige will always be a Stormer
Francois Pienaar will always be Lions
Teichman will always be a Shark
And so to should John Smit always be a Shark.
Okay RD – mail sent!
HB – you will see.
I never stop stalking, HB 😉
Krige will always be a [email protected]@s 😉
and it’s official. RobD is the first to rack up 1000 comments on this man’s site… 😉
Nessa, who is Rob stalking?
22.02.08 11:34:24 – hellbent Edit
Anybody whose cell number or email address he can get. 😛
Well done RD! 😎
22.02.08 11:36:25 – blackshark
😆
And so to should John Smit always be a Shark.
22.02.08 11:38:59 – KSA Shark
Good point Lawrence.
KSA, notwithstanding his roots in Pretoria?
Polokwane
HB
yip.
He was playing fur us in the u/20’s already and should retire with us. There is a lot of player movement nowadays but there is always the odd player who stays with his union.
Percy as an example, as much as I loved him at the Sharks he will always be a WP boy to me.
I remember meeting John outside the gates of Tukkies in my first year. He was still in Matric then. Told me he’d signed a contract with the Sharks.
Rob Polokwane is Pieterburg (I think)
But i KNOW PTA is Tswane.
Source: Supersport website
More bad news for Chiliboy
22 February 2008 (09:13)
Injury-plagued Blue Bulls hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle injured his knee during the captain’s practice in George on Thursday and he will not be able to play against the SWD Eagles on Friday.
Ralepelle, who captained the SA XV against the Barbarians in 2006, was due to play for 40 minutes on Friday after he injured ligaments in his knee in 2007’s Super 14 and earlier this year injured his medial ligaments during a training session.
The team doctor Ewoud van der Linde said Ralepelle injured the cartilage (meniscus) in his right knee and although the injury is not that serious absolutely no chances would be taken with player’s health.
Van der Linde estimated that Ralepelle would be on the sideline for two to three weeks and he added that the ligaments in his knee were not damaged in the process.
The coach Nico Serfontein said it was a “freak accident” because he injured his knee without even taking contact.
Ralepelle will be replaced by Bandise Maku and Brett Sharman will be the reserve hooker.
yes – my point is that John has stronger roots in Polokwane than he does in Tshwane
Cape Town = Slaapstad
Shit Charlie… that is crap news.
I feel for the poor kid.
😥 😥 😥
Hey Rob,
Will you be able to see 2morrow’s match, Sharks vs Stormers BTW… 😉
…The coach Nico Serfontein said it was a “freak accident” because he injured his knee without even taking contact….
This must be real bad luck… 🙁
charlie – I am going to record it and watch it later.
Wife’s birthday party!
Hey Charlie – some of the players are really unlucky with injury. Scott Mathie is (in my opinion) one of them. He has had knee problems, shoulder ops, you name it.
Chiliboy seems to be the swart version of JDV or AP. 🙁
Chili: “Ow, I think I hurt my knee!”
Doctor: “What were you doing at the time?”
Chili: “I was THINKING about running into the tackle bag really hard when I felt a twinge.”
😯
And Brent Russell – had a motor bike accident just after his arrival in CT which I think was to his detriment. When he arrived to play for Sarries – broke his collar bone in practice. He now has a hammy injury (which isn’t too bad) but shame! Really feel for him.
Great…
Hope you all enjoy the party & after match party…
Wishing your wife a blessed day and many years to come… 😛
Scott is like my “operation buddy”… he went in to have his neck fixed the same day I had my elbow op 😉
thanks Charlie. She’s a great lady, all right
Hallo Nessa,
Rob,
BTW, was that the after effect of the elbow operation as in you picture… 😆
Only playing…
Rob,
Take good care of her, she’s a diamond… 😉
my wife though that would be a good pose. I’m still not sure 😉