His name is Jean Roy Deysel and he was born in Virgina on 5 May 1985.
Deysel has made his way into top-flight rugby the hard way. He didn’t come up through the established route, attending the unfashionable Hentie Cilliers High School in Virgina and representing the Griffons at Craven Week in 2002. He worked his way into the Lions junior structures after school, but once again they failed to see the talent that was under their noses and Deysel was snapped up by the Sharks, joining our ranks in 2007.
He announced his arrival on the scene in a big way, scoring a hat trick of tries in a friendly against Eastern Province in the run-up to last year’s Currie Cup. He played a bit-part in last year’s Currie Cup campaign, yet has done incredibly well when called on in this year’s Super 14. At 1.90 metres tall and weighing 112kg, Deysel is a big unit. He complements his bulk with a decent step and a fair turn of pace; even more importantly, he is strong on his feet and has the ability to break tackles. Pretty much an ideal modern blindside flank.
Deysel announced his arrival on the stage against the Crusaders. He slipped onto the field virtually unnoticed, before bumping off first Ali Williams, then Riche McCaw within in the space of a few seconds. The clip can be seen here. The re-introduction of AJ Venter at flank has limited his gametime somewhat, but he showed again on Saturday just what a dangerous prospect he can be, setting up one of Ryan Kankowksi’s tries with a wonderful catch and break, as seen here.
We have been waiting for a true contender to emerge from under AJ’s big shadow; a flanker who is big, fast and strong to complement the pace and guile of Botes and the sheer size and skill of Ryan Kankowski. I say that we have found that man in Deysel and he should be given every opportunity to make the number 7 jersey his own in this year’s Currie Cup.
Tweet
Deysel really does fit the description of a perfect flanker…and on Sat he showed that he’s up for the challenge.
I really want to see more of this guy in our loose trio.
What’s he doing in a Lions jersey? 😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 2) : WHAT?
bumping off first Ali Williams, then Riche McCaw within in the space of a few seconds…
And then losing the ball. 🙄
He does look the part though. Sharks need a big ball carrying loosie.
Just watching that second clip. Sharks were darem red hot on Saturday.
@racheltjiedebeer (Comment 4) : I elected not to mention that in the write-up… knew it wouldn’t be long before somebody did 😉
@robdylan (Sharks Forever!) (Comment 6) : I couldn’t resist.
@racheltjiedebeer (Comment 5) :
better a Stormer say it than one of us. 😉
Thought I’d put it in perspective. 😆
@robdylan (Sharks Forever!) (Comment 6) :
Well done rob…you were just highlighting some points about Jean…not doing a write-up for the whole match…or the whole clip… 😆
not sure he has AJ’s frame or exp or presence or agression – but he made some good go-forward yards on sat – still young, could be the answer. keep watching to see how he goes.
I see Epi is back and the sharks have sent over their strongest squad of the season with everyone fit – just as well cos a few weeks back it was one-way traffic in Sydney, but i think this sharks side can give anyone a go.
Its an outstanding 24-player squad, but am disspoainted that Ackerman was not taken over to start the first half against the strongest pack in the comp.
@cab (Comment 11) : AJ is 1.98m and 112kg. Deysel is 1.90m and the same weight.
AJ is VERY tall for a loosie, but Deysel doesn’t concede anything in the weight stakes and (I feel) is actually stronger and more aggressive in contact. Maybe it’s cos he’s 12 years younger! He is also a lot faster than the old warhores
Rob – What is the story with players only being allowed to play in semis if they have played 3 games?
Surely Epi does not qualify?
that try against the chiefs has to be up there as one of the best of the season. u all know how highly i rate ruan, and when he runs lines like that – like he did against england last year or THAT try against the brumbies in 2006 – he is sublime and wonderful to watch.
@beez (Comment 13) : I also wondered about that…
@robdylan (Sharks Forever!) (Comment 12) :
He is also a lot faster than the old warhores…warhores sis Rob…Jenna doesn’t like it when people talk about AJ like that
@Dive Pass (Comment 16) :
In fact she doesn’t even like “old warhorse” but the rest of us will let you get away with warhorse…
@Dive Pass (Comment 17) : she knows how to contact me 😉
@robdylan (Sharks Forever!) (Comment 12) :
ya rob, fair enough, think this is def AJ’s last season, but what a game on saturday, Deysel did very well when coming on, but the hard part was donein the first 50min with AJ back to his best.
With Epi back, becomes a real tough question who to put on bench Deysel or Epi. Against the likes of Palu, am afraid I would go for Epi and tell to stop him without using the head.
Think he was your man of the match. Vokken impressive! Sorry but cant describe it other then that. 😳
@cab (Comment 19) :
With the make-up of the Sharks squad with so few backline players, you could see both Epi and Deysel on the bench – with Epi cover backs as well as forwards.
@Dive Pass (Comment 21) :
interesing view DP, yeah perhaps esp with NSW pack.
@Dive Pass (Comment 21) :
And Burden also covering the backs.
@PaarlBok (Comment 20) : I thought Stef T was Man of the Match
so, assuming Frans is fit, you do this:
Beast
Bis
BJ
Sykes
Muller
Botes
Venter
Kanko
Kockett
Pienaar
JPP
Barritt
Jacobs
Ndungane
Terblanche
Burden
Jannie
vd Berg
Deysel
Taione
Steyn
Murray
If Steyn is injured for the weekend
1. Tendai Mtawarira
2. Bismarck du Plessis
3. Jannie du Plessis
4. Steven Sykes
5. Johann Muller
6. Jacques Botes
7. AJ Venter
8. Ryan Kankowski
9. Rory Kockott
10. Ruan Pienaar
11. JP Pietersen
12. Brad Barritt
13. Adi Jacobs
14. Odwa Ndungane
15. Stefan Terblanche
Bench
16. Craig Burden (Forward and back Cover)
17. BJ Botha
18. Albert van den Berg
19. Jean Deysel
20. Keegan Daniel
21. Epi Taione (Forward and back Cover)
22. Waylon Murray
If Steyn is fit then he replaces Epi or Murray
Suggested match 22:
1. Tendai Mtawarira
2. Bismarck du Plessis
3. BJ Botha
4. Steven Sykes
5. Johann Muller
6. Jacques Botes
7. AJ Venter
8. Ryan Kankowski
9. Rory Kockott
10. Ruan Pienaar
11. JP Pietersen
12. Bradley Barritt
13. Adi Jacobs
14. Odwa Ndungane
15. Stefan Terblanche
Replacements
16. Craig Burden
17. Jannie Du Plessis
18. Epi Taione
19. Jean Roy Deysel
20. Keegan Daniel
21. Frans Steyn
22. Waylon Murray
AJ covering lock in the second half, although Albert hasn’t been bad when he has come on.
Or as Rob says drop Daniel for Steyn
@KSA Shark © (Comment 28) : I just don’t see Keegan as a factor in this weekend’s game.
@robdylan (Sharks Forever!) (Comment 29) :
I Think you are right, You need someone who can take Palu backward from 5m out not go over the line with him.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 30) : It’s not only Palu. Elsom is also a real threat and we all know what Waugh can do to you on the ground.
Again, a HUGE tight five effort, scrum dominance and counter rucking is going to be the order of the day.
Dont matter which team play for the Sharks (myself would stick with the same one as the weekend) , hoping the Sharks will just close Waugh’s mouth. Havent forget his little rant after the Newlands match.