There have been rumours doing the rounds that John Smit may join the Lions so as to ensure both him and Bismarck du Plessis get game time at hooker.
But recent comments from Lions CEO Manie Reynecke have suggested otherwise.
In an interview with The Times live in which Reynecke confirmed the signing of former All Black Carlos Spencer, he indicated that the Lions were looking at signing a few more players. What he said was “We are also in discussions with three senior overseas-based South African players to join us before the season starts, but I don’t want to mention their names just yet”. And seeing that John Smit is not overseas-based, this seems to indicate the Lions have given up on trying to lure Smit to the Coke tin.
Also, it has never been confirmed that John Smit will indeed move back to hooker, which means he may well continue in the no. 3 jersey for the Sharks in the Super 14. Even if he did, it would make sense if Smit and Du Plessis were rotated in the no. 2 jersey to ensure both players are fresher for the upcoming international season and the 2011 world cup beyond.
John Smit has spoken in his book about his love for the Sharks and Durban, and his Sharks teammates are quick to point out his commitment to the cause. Here’s hoping that Smit’s provincial career will end where it began, with the Sharks
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a-flipping-men to that, Brother war1
So that means Jannie Dup will have to collect splinters again. Not sure he will be impressed…
@wpw (Comment 2) : he and John will be rotated
There are SO MANY playing options to keep all three (John, Jannie, Bismarck)happy that this (having all three in your team) is really a non event
1)Start with John and Jannie then bring Bismarck on moving John to prop or off the field.
2) Start with Bismarck and Jannie bring John on to sub either.
3) Start with Bismarck and John with Jannie coming on to either either sub Bismarck or John.
Then also remember that we have the “Rassie loophole” of bringing a prop on as a sub and then 15min later once the subbed prop has come off one of the players in the FR is “injured” and the subbed player can go back on (not necesarily in the same position.) 😉
This is a non issue if managed half decently
@KSA Shark © (Comment 4) : i agree, there is no need for smit to do something stupid like going to the lions
@war1 (Comment 5) : oooooh….. just wait till they see THAT one 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 6) : what? it would not be a good idea for him, we wont make the world cup if he goes there and starts every game
Imagine he went to the Lions then Shimmie would have to collect splinters AGAIN!!! LOL
@wpw (Comment 8) : You reckon Shimmie will end up as first choice there? I don’t!
I know but it would be funny wouldnt it??
Shimange’s by now a “porkey pine” of all the splinters
I actually got confirmation from John’s agent on his page that he has a contract till november and will probably renew it then as well
In his book, John had nothing but good things to say about Bismarck. And in the twilight of his career, despite being at the top and looking to remain there for another 2 years, John would do himself a big injustice moving. With the number of world class front rowers at the Sharks (2 bok front rows in effect), his game time will be managed well.
What is vital is his leadership/captaincy. In a limited playing role, where does that leave him as capt of the sharks?
@Baldrick (Comment 13) : just one of the really key issues that Plumtree has no answer to. I suspect he will hit the “default button” and make poor out-of-form Joe Muller the captain again.
we are short on good number twos…we could use him
@walter van Lions World (Comment 15) : unfortunately he does have a sharks contract, and ur CEOs comments lead me to believe he is staying in the tank
maybe we are talking to Willie Wepener again. Muir also said he’ll take Ettas back any day, but I think Ettas is happy at Saracens at the moment
@walter van Lions World (Comment 17) : wepener may be a good buy-back, but is he not a little long in the tooth?
no..if we could get him back he would be our no 1
@war1 (Comment 18) : I rated Wepener as the top SA hooker in the Super 14 last year.
@walter van Lions World (Comment 19) : hoe oud is die man? he is probably benching at clermont anyway behind the argie hooker
@war1 (Comment 21) : is Ledesma still there?
@robdylan (Comment 22) : as far as i know
Happy Saturday all you buggers
@provincejoulekkading (Comment 24) : yeehaa! And to you too
Personally I think Bis has just been a spoilt brat. JS will obviously retire after the WC so my opinion is Bis should just suck it up for the greater good and come on as replacement hooker 20 mins from time for the Sharks AND Boks. Hell he’d only have to swallow his pride for TWO seasons after which the starting position would unquestionably go to him for the next 4 years at least. It would be a small personal sacrifice to make everyone’s lives a helluva lot easier.
@klempie (Comment 26) : Not to mention there’d be fewer yellow cards. 😈
@klempie (Comment 26) :
Why is bismarck being a spoilt brat though. he hasn’t complained at all, or have I missed something?
All the things we have heard about moves and or clauses in contracts have been speculation as far as I am aware.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 28) : Then why the continual juggling so accomodate both him and JS in the starting lineup? It’s silly. He should come off the bench for the next two years.
@wpw (Comment 2) : considering rumours (not sure to what degree they are rumours though) about the limited minutes springboks are to play, jannie is likely to feature more often
@robdylan (Comment 6) : truly, i am sure he realises that it would not be the best career move 😆
I don’t really care what position he plays as long as he is CAPTAIN…
@Pokkel (Rugby’s over, back to fishing) (Comment 32) :
Ditto that (although I’d like him on 2)..
I nearly had heartfailure on Friday…ask Rob! 😆