The NMMu Madibaz have clearly found the recipe for success in the Varsity Cup; after filling their squad with quality imports from the Sharks Academy in the off-season, they recorded their biggest ever result last Monday in downing Shimlas in Bloemfontein.
They’ve decided to build on that victory in the best possible way, by bringing yet another Sharks old boy, Tim Agaba, into the run-on side for tomorrow’s clash against UJ; that brings the number of men who have spent at least some part of their career in Durban to 10; quite a healthy percentage out of a playing squad of 23.
Both starting props, Ross Anderson and Roy Godfrey as well as all three flankers in the squad (Agaba, Ulrich Pretorius and Jaco Otto) have attended the Sharks Academy. Among the backs, scrumhalf Charlies Purdon and centres Howard Mnisi and Quinton Crocker have all played under 21 rugby for the Sharks, while wing Anton Verster has a few Sharks XV caps to his credit in the Vodacom Cup. Replacement back Dev Lailvaux makes up the tenth member, having attended the Academy and been on the fringes of under 21 selection last year.
Just imagine how well a Durban-based Varsity Cup side could do, if this talent could be retained in the region?
15 Gerrit Smith, 14 Mayibuye Ndwandwa, 13 Quinton Crocker (vice-captain), 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Anton Verster, 10 Martin du Toit, 9 Charlie Purdon, 8 Jaco Swanepoel (captain), 7 Timothy Agaba, 6 Ulrich Pretorius, 5 André Goosen, 4 Mzwanele Zito, 3 Ross David-Anderson, 2 Martin Ferreira, 1 Roy Godfrey.
Replacements: 16 Kobus Greeff, 17 Gareth Hartley, 18 Schalk Oelofse, 19 Jaco Otto, 20 Marlin Ruiters, 21 Bradley Kretzman, 22 Devon Lailvaux, 23 Phillip Nel.
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We need to be careful to not fall into the Free State trap of “they went to Grey so they are Free Staters” here.
Of the 10 how many were KZN boys before joining the academy either by birth or longterm schooling?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 1) : I’m not saying these guys are Natalians, far from it… what I’m saying is, all of them made a decision (at some point) to further their rugby career in Durban and all of them then changed direction later on. Clearly there’s some value here, so wouldn’t you rather see them playing Varsity Cup for a side in Durban, than elsewhere?
@robdylan (Comment 2) : I would love that, but the only way that would happen is if the Academy fielded a side.
A question I DO have though is, when did they leave the Academy? Before or after graduating?
Does the academy offer sufficient qualifications. Are they leaving to continue studying or just to play rugby?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 3) : well, it’s an interesting question… however, for the most part, I’m pretty sure the “studying” part of the Varsity Cup is a massive sham.
@robdylan (Comment 4) : Agreed.
I WOULD love to know if these guys graduated or were just head hunted.
Good work Rob. Looks like you had to do a little bit of research to put this unique informative article together.
I think all the guys mentioned on the list have donned on some form of black and white jersey in the past, making them former Sharks representatives, so I fully understand where you’re coming from with this article.
Depending on what you choose to study at the Sharks Academy, you can “graduate”after only one year. Most of these players from Durban have spent several years in the system however, and they either cannot make the age group teams, or the have done so but are now over 21 and out of contract. Make no mistake, all of them are being paid to play Varsity Cup.
i’m so happy Xolane Howard Mnisi finally made the trek to the EC. I have no doubt if he soldiers on he will make the Kings squad. Go boytjie!
@Megatron (Comment 8) : Good for Mnisi and better for him that he’s playing at inside centre as well.
But I suspect that if the Kings are to entertain SR dreams, they are going to need a better quality midfielder than this Sharks Academy product.
@beet (Comment 9) : I must agree. I’ve never been particularly thrilled by his performances – solid without being spectacular.
And for a guy with a pretty impressive 40m sprint time, he hardly seems to make clean breaks.
Wish him all the best of course – seems to always give it his all on the field.
BTW, I’ve been informed that I missed one.
Schalk Oelofse was also at the Academy
The Sharks needs to work with the UKZN, to get their Varsity cup team on track. If Varsity cup continues to grow the Vodacom cup will run dead and where will the Sharks play their fringe players then? UKZN is dead last in the B division and if they combine with the Academy they can become a formidable team
@Mutley (Comment 12) :
UKZN should not be involved with Varsity rugby, period!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 1) :
Love the profile pic by the way!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 14) : 🙂 😉