New Western Province recruit A J Venter says he is going to Cape Town to win the Super 14 with the Stormers next year.
And his first match for his new side in the Currie Cup will be when he faces the Sharks on June 20, reports Ashfak Mohamed on IOL.
The 34-year-old loose forward-cum-lock was initially going to retire at the end of the current Super 14, but said that a “fresh body” and healthy mind had swayed him to take up the offer from WP last week.
“I am really excited about joining WP and the Stormers,” he said. “I did feel tired last year, so that’s why I felt that this would be my last Super 14. But I haven’t played a lot of rugby this year, as I seemed to fall out of favour for some reason at the Sharks.
“I do understand that they have a lot of quality young loose forwards and locks, so Dick and John wanted to give them more game time.
“I have been in talks with WP before, but things didn’t work out. They have a good bunch of players and an excellent coaching staff under Rassie Erasmus. You could say that they have a complete team.
“I have never won the Super 14, so that is really important for me. I have been in a few semi-finals and last year’s final, so I want to win the tournament for a change.”
Venter is nursing a broken thumb, but he says he will be fit to start playing in the Currie Cup.
“Can you believe it, hey? My first game for WP is the Sharks in Durban. I probably won’t get the best welcome in Durban, but I am looking forward to it. I do enjoy playing there,” he said.
“I broke my thumb two weeks ago against the Chiefs. But it is only a hairline fracture, so the doctor said I would be able to play in two weeks’ time. So I will be fit to face the Sharks. But I just want to say that I had an unbelievable eight years with them. And there has been talk about why I didn’t play in the semifinal last week, but like I said, I did break my thumb,” said Venter.
Tweet
so he’s been with WP for less than 5 minutes and already he’s mouthing off in the press. Maybe he should go watch the videos and see of he can figure out why he was dropped.
Or is this maybe just typical Ashfak spin?
@robdylan (Comment 1) :
Probably Ashfak spin, but let’s not forget AJ is now a CT boy so that prize for who can write the most Boks into the team now apllies to him as well.
Okay – I dont get it or maybe its just a woman-thing, but if anyone is capable – please explain…
“i know loyalty do not pay the bills, but how can people just swop provinces so easily and get on with it? I mean – they PLAY there hearts out. BELIEVE in their team (or at least I think), and tomorrow play for the enemy and carry on”
I just dont get it,,just as i cannot even IMAGINE shouting for anyone other than the Sharks, wat nog te se SPEEL… 😕
I see nothing wrong with what he said. Or did I miss something?
For 1.5 mil a season I’ll support the Sharks.
@racheltjiedebeer (Comment 4) : it’s the whole “for some reason, I found myself out of favour at the Sharks…” thing that irritates me. The guy was frankly pants pretty much all season. Surely he could take some accountability
@racheltjiedebeer (Comment 4) :
Same here.
Rob is just pissed that now that AJ is a CT boy he suddenly get’s interviewed 😉
@racheltjiedebeer (Comment 4) :
Rachel – i am not saying just on AJ – I am talking province -swopping in general…
For a lousy 40% cut on that 1,5 mil I will teach you the sharks flasher routines!
@I’ce (TKMITFM) (Comment 8) : Flashing is extra. 😳
@racheltjiedebeer (Comment 9) :
We are talking payment to ME! I am not paying you for teaching you the routines!! 😈
that said, though, there are two sides to this story… I think that AJ might just have pissed somebody important off and paid the price…
@robdylan (Comment 6) : I agree. I missed that. My WP glasses bit foggy. 😉
@robdylan (Comment 11) :
He was supposed to be retired already… 🙄 is he wanting to break Ackers’ record perhaps?? 😉
@robdylan (Comment 11) : I’m flip-flopping, though… my natural inclination is to defend the Sharks, no matter what. Still, I don’t think AJ was great this year, but I reckon we should have at least given him the option of a contract if he decided he wanted to keep playing. He deserved more loyalty from the Sharks than he got, I think.
@I’ce (TKMITFM) (Comment 13) :
And Rob is the one who started the facebook group to get AJ to NOT retire if I remember correctly.
I’d be really pissed if I was Rob 😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 15) : it’s true. It was me. I actually forgot about that!
We need to start a fresh campaign… any ideas?
@I’ce (TKMITFM) (Comment 8) : I see. I’m a bit deurmekaar today. 😕
@KSA Shark © (Comment 15) : I’ll go get really pissed tonight 😉
@racheltjiedebeer (Comment 17) :
I’d say… 😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 15) :
@robdylan (Comment 14) : me too.
also remember when AJ didn’t make the cut for the group of “rested” players for last years away tri nations and was selected for the tour. Then he suddenly “retired” from internationals. What was all that about as well?
Is there a teeny attitude /ego problem ?
Having said that the guy was a great servant of Sharks over many years, so who knows.
I think AJ’s retirement was long overdue, hy is maar net ‘n moangat op die veld wat die hele tyd moan by die ref…sy beste speeldae is lankal verby. WP mors hulle geld.
@walter van transvaal.co.za (Comment 21) : hate to say it, but I agree
@I’ce (TKMITFM) (Comment 19) : They never actually picked him ahead of Steven anyway
@robdylan (Comment 22) : Me 2…
@robdylan (Comment 23) :
Yeah – but there was plans on moving him to flank…and it was not accepted very graciously.. 🙄
@I’ce (TKMITFM) (Comment 24) : oh – plans to move Steven to flank, which AJ didn’t like?
I can believe that.
@robdylan (Comment 22) : me too
@robdylan (Comment 14) : I agree with u!!!!
Hi all!!
@robdylan (Comment 25) : Yip…and I believe that too.. 😉
@PJLD (Comment 26) : Me2??? 😆
so many people agreeing with so many things I’ve said, I’m losing track 😉
@I’ce (TKMITFM) (Comment 28) : so when I list Steven at 7 in my proposed Currie Cup team, at least one person here doesn’t think I’ve cracked…
@robdylan (Comment 30) : “track” or “tack”?? 😉
@Me2 (Comment 29) :
Hiya Ma! 😀
@robdylan (Comment 31) :
Exakitilly!!!
AJ was crap all season. I suspect he decided to make a comeback and the Sharks weren’t willing to offer enough.
He is a good buy in that he is hard, experienced, and wont be called up, but I think the Sharks know first hand what he still has left, and based on this year, that didnt seem enough to keep him contracted.
In any event, I won’t be surprised if we signed a loosie already – we must have realised the need early – hence the drive to keep AJ for this S14.
Go well AJ – you were a good servant to Sharks rugby.
@Me2 (Comment 29) : 🙄 😆 😆
Barrit and Murray next to sign for WP
I am quite happy to see Steven play at 7 in the Currie Cup, as I feel it will only make him a better lock in the Super 14 next year.
@Big Fish (Comment 35) : You right…he has been a great servant to the Sharks BUT by the same token…the Sharks molded AJ from a bit of a “thug” with a short fuse..to a really great player.
😳 “moulded” ❗
AJ
Welcome to Western Province – The Home of Rugby. Before you come in let me remove that knife from your back.
Cheers
If AJ knows whats good for him, he wont be allowing a WP supporter or player anywhere near his back…
BF
We won’t be able to go anywhere near his back – He looks like a porcupine with all the knifes sticking out of it.
Cheers
Last Saturday AJ’s name was still on the squad sheet for the Barbarians
Then again, the Belgian Rugby Union are not the fastest in updating things
@Methos (Comment 43) : tempted to agree a little…
my 2 cents, sharks started looking better when aj and ackerman were re-introduced and they preferred daniel/deysel. that was their decision, but raissie might see it differently. it might prove to be another spectacularly good buy from rassie, since i suspect AJ did not come with a big price tag and if he’s able to give 1 more S14 seaon, who knows.
@cab (Comment 46) : AJ started as first choice and played himself out of the team, rather than the other way round.
I have a brother in law that lives for Province but really dislikes AJ.
I cant wait to watch a game with him again.
Any bets on AJ getting carded in his first game for Province.
lol, not so sure, they were unbeaten when he was dropped/rested. from his comments above he sounded quite understand that sharks wanted to develop. i think it was his last season should have played him into the ground until the first loss.
@Salmonoid (Comment 48) : good call, I’d think
@robdylan (Comment 31) :
Well Sykes is worthless in the lineout so perhaps 7 would be a better option for him. He would make a much better third or fourth lineout option than 1st or 2nd like he is now.
@cab (Comment 49) : we wouldn’t have beaten the Blues if he’d started
@Dancing Bear (Comment 51) : still on for beers on Monday?
@robdylan (Comment 16) :
Yeah to poach some locks, a Flyhalf and perhaps a few wings… maybe from the Reds…lol!
@robdylan (Comment 53) :
RobD, you bet. I will e-mail again this weekend to re-confirm, but plan to meet you Monday evening.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 55) : sweet dude. Going to be a good one.
@I’ce (TKMITFM) (Comment 3) :
Ice, I certainly think like you…but it seems we are in the minority these days!
The Longer players like AJ hang around, then more of the talented youngsters who they are blocking leave, Deysel is good but how long would he want to wait in the wings whilst AJ decides “Do I Stay Or Do I Go”. If Sykes plays Flank who plays Lock. Has Hargreaves stepped up to Senior Rugby if so why didn’t he get any Super 14 action.
Goodbye and Good Luck AJ !
Thanks for everything – looking forward to seeing our “young boys” flatten you at the Shark-Tank…
@Dynamite (Comment 58) : We should have Muller and Big Al available at lock
“The Longer players like AJ hang around, then more of the talented youngsters who they are blocking leave, Deysel is good but how long would he want to wait in the wings whilst AJ decides “Do I Stay Or Do I Go”.”
After his (Deysel’s) recent form and treatment in Super rugga… I’d be moving on now…
@bryce_in_oz (Comment 61) : They should have rather backed him. We could have avoided the whole Epi disaster altogether
@I’ce (TKMITFM) (Comment 3) :
Well ICE – the thing is we all learn to convert the “LOYALTY” when we have to. Think about how it’s so easy to cheer for the BLUE BULLS players when they are wearing the GREEN jersey…but so easy to dump them a few weeks later when they return to their BLUE colours.
LOYALTY is to the COLOURS on the JERSEY – that’s it!
@blackshark (Comment 63) :
BS – THats a whole different scenario, I am talking provincial rugby here..I do shout for the whoole Bok team, but then again – its not that i dont like the player as a person – just not the team…
@blackshark (Comment 63) : I don’t even like the Bulls guys when they play for the Boks, to be honest
Let AJ go…it’s time for the next generation… 😈
@robdylan (Comment 65) :
Then again Rob…that is a bit of and exception!! 😉
@Charlie (Comment 66) : we’re hoping to interview AJ in the next week or so
@robdylan (Comment 68) :
Can I can I do the interview???Pleese?? 😈
@robdylan (Comment 11) :
Oh maybe as you alluded to above, he didn’t play well so he didn’t get selected and he didn’t like that….sometimes a cigar is just a cigar
@Dive Pass (Comment 71) : and risk ruining a perfectly good conspiracy theory?
@robdylan (Comment 72) :
Now now Rob the Sharks supporters and media are above tabloid speculation….we leave that to the Stormers supporters and their media 😉
@Dive Pass (Comment 73) : I clearly missed that memo 😉
@robdylan (Comment 74) :
I thought the memo said no mention on this website of the following: politics, scandal, the Bulls, Rob’s follicular challenge, KSA’s camel, Rachel’s S&M habits, wpw closet possession of a Shark’s jersey,Bryce’s secret envy of the Aussies and Dive Pass’s poor typing?
@Dive Pass (Comment 75) : oh… THAAAAT memo 😉
everybody ignores the follicle part anyway 😉
@Dive Pass (Comment 75) :
tell me about the camel!
@I’ce (TKMITFM) (Comment 78) :
No, I better toe…oops tow ….the party line…..
@Dive Pass (Comment 79) : very clever.
Although it’s actually “toe the line”…
@Dive Pass (Comment 79) :
@robdylan (Comment 80) :
Your right it is!!! 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 80) :
Is this conversation going south?? 😉
@Dive Pass (Comment 82) :
You’re not supposed to mention my typing….or spelling….or grammar
@I’ce (TKMITFM) (Comment 83) : I hope so… I’m in the mood 😉
You guys heard the Camel Toe song?
@robdylan (Comment 85) :
Thats my cue to go….i suppose.. 😉
@robdylan (Comment 85) : No I haven’t.
@I’ce (TKMITFM) (Comment 86) : ummm – it’s really very tongue-in-cheek 😉
Clicky clicky
@robdylan (Comment 89) : Will have to wait till I get home. Cannot access it from work. 👿
oh yeah – not work safe 😉
@robdylan (Comment 88) :
What you expect?? I normally need to be removed by force if someone wants me to leave! 😈 😈
@I’ce (TKMITFM) (Comment 92) : ah ha! Good to know
@robdylan (Comment 93) :
You wont try it, wouldya Robsie??/ *fluttering eyes*
@robdylan (Comment 65) : I don’t like Blue or green and gold to be honest 😈 😈
Watts naught going on hear
@I’ce (TKMITFM) (Comment 94) : of course not 😉
@Cru-El (Comment 96) :
Hey Cruel!
@Cru-El (Comment 96) : hello
H’Ice
yo rob,
what’s cooking on cru-elworld.co.za
@Cru-El (Comment 101) : 404 error 😉
@robdylan (Comment 102) :
Is that the excuse you got from the Sharks camp
Ahhhh Methos you beaut! Wanted to say something similar especially given the comments just before the semi when we all learned Epi was playing and not AJ!!!
And how can you blame the oke? In all those years with the Sharks he did not win shit!
By this time next year he could have a CC and S14 medal!!!
As for Ashf$%k – I would rather read JJ Harmse’s biography than read his garbage.
Everybody loves a successful WP side…
He wont be the last to sign.
@VinChainSaw (Comment 106) : I’m sure you guys will snap up Jorrie Kruger too
I’m surprised that WP didn’t sign Chris Roussow instead of the Cheetahs. Is Tony Brown playing CC? If not, who do they have at 10 for the CC with both Dollie and Grant out. OK….the Chris signing was a bit tongue in cheek. 😎
@Dancing Bear (Comment 108) : The great Willem de Waal.
Will he really make the starting side or even the match 22!??!
That is for the S14 when all Bokke are available…
@Dancing Bear (Comment 108) :
Where is Dollie then!??!
@Hmmm (Comment 111) :
Emerging Boks team. Will probably miss the beginning of the CC if I am not mistaken.
@ra-cheltjie de’ be-er (Comment 109) :
Herkie Kruger???
@Dancing Bear (Comment 112) :
Oh ok….have not been reading much rugby news this week as yet…
Last I heard that the Emerging Bokke were not going to go….
@Hmmm (Comment 114) :
Oh they’re going and Chester is their coach. G’Luck…..
@Dancing Bear (Comment 115) :
Ha-Ha….Chester….jinne has he ever won a match as coach!??!
@Dancing Bear (Comment 108) :
Give Rassie SOME credit 🙄 Who in their right mind would have signed a 2nd div bench warmer as their lead CC flyhalf?
@Hmmm (Comment 116) :
He had a decent run in 7s, but that is where it ended as coach. Oh wait a minute, he turned around the Ugandan team didn’t he? 😆 😆 😛
@KSA Shark © (Comment 117) :
Rassie Erasmus did just that at the Cheetahs last year. Remember???
@KSA Shark © (Comment 117) :
LoL true….what a load of crap…
But WP don’t have much left either…
@Dancing Bear (Comment 118) :
Decent run!??!
He had more than decent players and did nothing with them…
True has been much much better and consistent…
Strange how he never lasts more than a season or so anywhere!??!
@Hmmm (Comment 120) :
Drotske is def loosing it….caoching is going to his head!??!
@Hmmm (Comment 121) :
I was trying to be kind Hmmm….he didn’t completely screw up the 7s team, and treau has been much better, I agree.
Just because someone was a good rugby player does not mean they will be a good coach. Chester is no coach. Perhaps he may be OK at coaching skills, but certainly not a head coach.
Even with my issues with PdV, he has shown that he is a good coach.
@Hmmm (Comment 122) :
I dunno Hmmm, limited resources I think, not all Naka’s fault. I imagine it is very difficult for the Cheetahs to sign good players with their limited resources.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 123) :
He did not screw up the 7’s….he did win a tourno or two….but he should have done soooo much better with the players he had….
And why is every 7’s coach in love with that useless Mokoena!???!
PdV has shown he can achieve results with ordinary players…
@Dancing Bear (Comment 124) :
Yeh but then make a statement that he will boost the Cheetah side….what must that do for the confidence of the rest!???!
@Hmmm (Comment 125) :
Stop agreeing with me, that is no fun at all! 😀 😀
@Hmmm (Comment 126) :
Good point, rather keep one’s mouth shut and be thought an idiot than open it and remove all doubt.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 127) :
I will not stop agreeing with you…LoL
@Dancing Bear (Comment 128) :
Not just that….what if Chris does not play up to standards…..how must the other players pick themselves up after that statement…
@Hmmm (Comment 130) :
I suppose I have to agree with you as well. 😆 😆 you’re absolutely right Hmmm.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 131) :
Stop agreeing with me on everything….LoL
@Hmmm (Comment 132) :
I will not stop agreeing with you! 😆
@Dancing Bear (Comment 133) :
I agree that you should stop…LoL
I am the 3rd person ever to hit 2000 on this site…LoL
Hey crap look what time it is….gotto run….speak to you soon!??!
Cheers Hmmm…..good conversing with you today. Have a good evening!
Yeh same here…
And you too man…
Sunny warm, wind blowing 10 to 15, and I am going sailing this evening. So yes, I will have a good evening. 😀
@Dancing Bear (Comment 139) :
Sounds fun….sure you will…
Cheers….
Hi all my sharks friends!!!
Im new here at sharksworld,and would like to introduce myself!!!.
I am a shark at heart,in blood and always in mind!!!.
I say let all those old farts go to W.P!!!!!
Were going to tackle them so hard youl be able to see the dust in the air!!!!!.
We dont need Aj anyway,i heard they are going to use Johan Ackermann aswell,ha ha ha!!!!what a joke…whos next for W.P,bozo the clown?
And i wish rassie would stop stealing players and talk to players behind
behind other coaches backs!!!…stop it rassie!!!
I surely hope that we will also buy a few good players to make up for our depth.