Young Western Province star Conrad Hoffmann believes his decision to move to the Sharks at the end of the Currie Cup season is a good career move.
Hoffmann, who hails from Stellenbosch University and had an outstanding Varsity Cup campaign this year, signed a two-year deal with John Plumtree’s Durban-based side.
Still just 23, the versatile back has played a key role for Western Province this season, covering a number of positions from the bench.
Hoffmann is primarily a scrumhalf. However, due to his skill and speed, he has also featured at flyhalf, wing and fullback for Province.
He believes his decision to join the Sharks is “the right move”.
“It really is about game time and the fact that it is a fresh move; a fresh start for me somewhere new,” he explained.
“I feel as if I am going nowhere [with my game] by sitting on the bench, I need to be playing and starting regularly.”
Hoffmann’s manager, Dane Galley, is sure the move will pay off for the talented star.
While his versatility is a great asset, moving to the Sharks, according to Galley, will allow Hoffmann to focus on playing his preferred position – No.9.
“Conrad needs time on the pitch,” said Galley.
“He’s a good player and will get even better with time. Moving to the Sharks means more time at scrumhalf and will give him a great platform to develop and show just what a quality player he is.”
Of course though there is still plenty of rugby to be played this season.
Hoffmann remains completely committed to the Western Province cause and is determined to “win the Currie Cup” before he moves on.
“I’m 100 percent Province [at the moment]… no doubt about that.
“As long as I’m here, right until I get on the plane to Durban, I’m 100 percent focused on helping the team [to] get the job done.”
Courtesy of RUGBY 365
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I’m worried about this decision.
Do we have confirmation that Kockott is going anywhere?
Even if we do, Hoffmann will still be playing off the bench behind McLeod.
I reckon this is a step in the right direction..
I hope this bodes well with Cronje though, wouldn’t want him to go anywhere..
I’ve said it before and will say it again, this is going to come back to bite Province in the ass!! 👿
Watch him have a blinder against us once he’s settled in Durbs.
Bloody idiots running WP rugby!!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 2) :
If Hoffmann hadn’t made the comment about it being about game time then I’d agree and I’d say in a season or two he’d be close to being our #1.
At the moment however it just looks like he has been made a promise or two that may not be able to be kept. 🙁
I really don’t see how anybody can be promised game time. It’s like evry guy we buy seems to have this weird expectation that they’ll automatically be first choice
@robdylan (Comment 5) :
Exactly!!!!
Look I KNOW this guy is good, but he can’t realisticly expect to get any MORE game time than he is currently getting.
Definately going 2 b interesting 2 c what plum does wit all da backline players we gonna hav next year. Its like we didnt hav enough depth this year and now we’ve gone out and overcompensated 4 next year.
If kockett is leaving then he prob was a great signing if not then sum1’s going 2 become surplus 2 requirements. Dont think either of our 3 scrummies are going 2 b happy playing vodacom cup rugby!
Hopefully stemmet gets some quality game time 4 griquas and performs and the sharks take notice because 13 is where we are in need
@RuckingFun (Comment 9) :
I was just commenting on the Bulls thread about the backline players we have in reserve and actually forgot about Stemmet.
now the Sharks fans can deal with with Hoffman’s 2 steps before he passes.. 😀
Aai Megatron!!
@Megatron (Comment 11) :
At Vodacom Cup level that’s not much of a problem so he should be okay. 😛
Haven’t noticed a 2-step pass. Will look out for it. I really rate him and think he could well be a starter soon.
@RuckingFun (Comment 9) : too late, she cried. Downey and Lusaseni are on loan, but Stemmet has been released from his contract. He won’t be going back to Durbs
@robdylan (Comment 15) : Ah that sucks, i thought he was just on loan aswell. Anyway good luck 2 him its a pity he wasnt given much of an opportunity. Maybe the sharks thinking is that jacobs has a couple years left in him and by that time lindeque will b ready 2 take over. Just guessing…
Its a shame about Stemmet, I was really hoping to see him run out in the Blck and White..
So Rob, has Griqus now signed him long term or is the rest of the season a short term thing?
@RuckingFun (Comment 16) :
Same here. 🙁
I dont think Stemmet was even a year at the Sharks 🙄
I’m getting this feeling that Sharks admin is screwing with people’s careers.
@Jarson (Comment 19) : what are they supposed to do? there are only 22 spots every saturday. and to be successful you have to keep changes to a minimum to keep the continuity going. what the sharks should do is create a team based in richards bay or maritzburg that plays in the second division of currie cup. pretty much like cheetahs and griffons.
@try time (Comment 20) : Clever.
@klempie (Comment 21) : Very good idea… 🙂
@try time (Comment 20) : yes, we can call them the “southern Kings”… but wait, that name is already taken hey?? 😉
@try time (Comment 20) : zululand, we already have an academy there
imagine two sharks teams in the currie cup. it will be great.
@try time (Comment 25) : Red Bull have the same concept in Formula 1. They have have Torro Rosso and Red Bull Racing. TR is a training ground for RB.
No pressure Plum!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 13) : hoffman is one of those ‘stylish’ players, he likes to feel like he delivered that pass perfectly than if the pass was more effective 3 seconds ago..he doesn’t like [email protected] passes…watch him 😀
@Megatron (Comment 28) : 😆
@Megatron (Comment 28) : gregan ran 10 yards before passing… 😉