News is a little thin on the ground, but it seems there has been a little movement on the player front. Nothing too significant at this stage, but maybe worth picking up on, since it’s pretty quiet out there otherwise.
There were a number of warm-up games and compulsory friendlies played this weekend – by the way, why are they called compulsory friendlies? Is it still friendship if you’re being forced to do it? – and a few interesting names popped up on certain team sheets. Griquas sounded an ominous warning ahead of the Currie Cup proper when they absolutely flattened the Valke, with former Valke and Bulls wing Dewald Pretorius (remember him? The one built like a Sherman tank) scoring five tries on his own. Another name on the scoresheet was that of Nolan Clarke, who you may recall played lock for the Sharks XV this year. My understanding is that Clarke was just on loan to Griquas on a short-term basis, though – possibly only for this one match.
I’ve been led to believe that another young lock in Sharks country may soon leave on a far more permanent basis, but I haven’t managed to have it confirmed yet, so I guess it remains rumour for the time being.
There were some more interesting names on the Mighty Elephants team sheet for their friendly this weekend against Boland. Sharks utility back Carl Bezuidenhout has moved down to the bay in search of more regular gametime and started at full-back for the Eastern Province side. Bezuidenhout played a few Currie Cup games back in 2006 as a raw youngster and more recently featured on the wing in this year’s Vodacom Cup. A pair of forwards, ironically both nicknamed “Chabal” for their flowing locks and surfeit of facial hair, were also named in the 22. Jacques Potgieter, a young loosie and product of the Sharks Academy is with EP on loan this season, while yet another lock, journeyman Ruahan van Jaarsveld, appears to have moved to the bay for good. Van Jaarsveld played for the Valke last year and only moved to Durban at the beginning of the 2009 season to play Vodacom Cup rugby for the Sharks XV. He was part of the training squad, but never made it into the match 22.
Another very early rumour is that one of the Bulls’ most impressive young wingers from last year’s Currie Cup has been training with the Sharks. I can’t confirm this for certain, but once it’s official, you’ll all know more.

not really anything to get mad or excited about then…. Well as long as there is news we can always hope.
@JarsonX (Comment 1) : yes… this is all really low-key news!
Any news on some props making their way to WP?
Any news on some props making their way to WP? or is there only news on the Sharks? π
@molly (Comment 4) : I’m not connected to the WP grapevine… If you feel like doing some investigative journalism though…
@molly (Comment 3) : i dont think there are alot of old age props still playing nowa days π
@JarsonX (Comment 6) : surprised Os and Ollie haven’t joined them yet…
how about doing a ‘players to watch’ spread π‘ i have absolutely now idea of what talent we’ve got in the other unions
@JarsonX (Comment 8) : now = no
@robdylan (Comment 7) :
I suppose I’m hoping we’re taking players/props off Sharks. Then i’ll get to hear about it. π
has anyone seen the rugby movie ‘Forever Strong’ based on actual events?
@JarsonX (Comment 12) : its about the Highland highschool rugby team in Salt Lake City, USA. Coach Larry Gelwix has coach the team to 361 wins and only 9 losses. The team also has the their own version of the haka.
@molly (Comment 11) : you definitely will!
@JarsonX (Comment 8) : it’s a good idea… but I don’t really have that much insight either, I’m afraid
@JarsonX (Comment 13) : But how would they do against Affies?
@molly (Comment 3) :
Hi Molly
Did you see Saturdays Die Burger, apparently Jean de Villiers is not committeed to any team yet and is even considering a move to the Bulls because his girlfriend is from Pretoria.
@Salmonoid (Comment 16) : π―
@Salmonoid (Comment 16) : Please tell me thats a lie!
I can’t see JDV playing for the Bulls while Meisiekind is still on their books.
They also have Julies and a few good youngsters coming through.
@wpw (Comment 19) : Maybe we can buy Diepenaar back π
JDV IS WP!
@molly (Comment 20) :
You meant to say LUKE IS WP??? π
@wpw (Comment 19) :
The Sharks have no Steyn! The Sharks have no Steyn!
@wpw (Comment 21) : Luckily I can say Luke is Bath!!!! π
@molly (Comment 23) : Bath’s problem, that is.
@molly (Comment 23) :
@molly (Comment 24) :
Am I reading this correctly? has Puke signed for Bath?
@wpw (Comment 17) : @molly (Comment 18) :
All true, no stirring, no tongue in cheek, just the plain truth.
@wpw (Comment 17) : @molly (Comment 18) :
All true, no stirring, no tongue in cheek, just the plain truth.
@KSA Shark Β© (Comment 25) : Yup, a while ago. Good news FINALLY at WP.
Juan Martin Hernandez set to sign for the Sharks ! π―
Google translate : [url=http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://www.rugbyrama.com/&ei=5s1JSpSWNs6fjAf2w73JBQ&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Drugbyrama%26hl%3Den]http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://www.rugbyrama.com/&ei=5s1JSpSWNs6fjAf2w73JBQ&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Drugbyrama%26hl%3Den[/url]