A story in this morning’s Beeld confirms that Griquas prop Janro van Niekerk will tour to Australia and New Zealand with the Sharks as their fourth prop.
With both Beast Mtawarira and Julian Redelinghuys suffering serious leg injuries in the build-up to the tournament and John Smit and Eugene van Staden opting to continue their careers abroad, the Sharks have been in somewhat of a pickle up-front, with Dale Chadwick, Jannie du Plessis and Wiehahn Herbst the only fit senior props. With the Sharks’ own Vodacom Cup team lacking in experienced options too, the decision was made to go in search of an available option.
Both Steph Roberts and van Niekerk came down to Durban for training sessions at various stages, but it’s the latter who has seemingly been given the nod to tour and is apparently already in Durban being fitted up for touring kit.
Van Niekerk said to Beeld, “it was definitely a career decision to move to Griquas from Boland, in the hope that I might get some Super Ruby time with the Cheetahs. Now I have that opportunity, although it’s with the Sharks!
“I’m really looking forward to getting a chance to play. I think my scrummaging is my strong point, but I just hope that I can make a positive contribution to the team”.
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Thats a bit of a jump, seeing as the touring squad has not even been announced?
The lad probably needs to sort out his passport, so they gave him a heads up!
Great signing….
“I’m really looking forward to getting a chance to play. I think my scrummaging is my strong point, but I just hope that I can make a positive contribution to the team”.
well i blerrie well hope scrummaging is a strong point for him…front row positions need that as a prerequisite !! unless he can wow us with his deft chip and chases and his 65metre drop goals he had better be a good scrummager.
he he
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 1) : coming from Kimberley to Durban… Surely he should have a passport for that already 😉
@Franshark (Comment 4) :
Hahaha!!!
The whole electricity and warm water thing should have sealed the deal!
@BoerSeun (Comment 2) : it’s not a signing. It’s a loan
@BoerSeun (Comment 2) : Agree…he’s very strong scrummager who has scrummed well against the best, so he has the qualities. Chadwick gonna need a break eventually…
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 5) : don’t forget the beach… just ask Tjoppie.
I wonder if they’ve taught him to swim yet 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 6) : Loan Signing then 🙂
@JJR (Comment 7) : I’m more worried Chadwick’s going to get a break… a serious one.
@robdylan (Comment 8) :
Apparently he is doing the whole surfing thing..
On the point of Tjoppie, you should see the guy lang arm dude!
He was one of the players on stage post match.. it was good fun!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 5) :
Kimberley was the first city in SA to have electric street lighting. 😎
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 11) : he looks the type!
@Salmonoid (Comment 12) : did you used to work for Chappies? 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 13) :
High Five for the Chappies comment!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 14) : thanks 🙂
I’m on a roll
@robdylan (Comment 15) :
What did you have in your Weetbix this morning?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 16) : can’t say… cops are everywhere 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 13) : c’mon, thats general knowledge.
@robdylan (Comment 13) : @Richard Ferguson (Comment 14) :
Dont you 2 get tired of scratching each others backs?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 11) : surfing AND windsurfing 😯 😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 20) :
Hahaha.. you can see he is an Afrikaans boytjie.
Heluva nice guy though, seriously down to earth..
@Salmonoid (Comment 19) : you jealous? 🙂
Janro is a Paarl GalPil. 40 kms from the east and west coast. Dunno if he can surf but he sure as hell know how to dive kreef at the west coast. Treat him with respect Guppies.
@robdylan (Comment 22) : is it that obvious? 😳
@PaarlBok (Comment 23) : “Treat him with respect Guppies.” hoor, hoor and that goes for Marius too.
@The Duke (Comment 3) : Janro is one of the most underestimated loose heads in the country, and definitely has LOTS of experience! 106 Currie cup games, Emerging Springboks 2008, etc. He will never let the Sharks down-give the Boys Higher a chance to show everyone what he’s made of! 😀
@Salmonoid (Comment 24) : you can always havea a scratch if you want one…
@robdylan (Comment 27) : Awww shucks, thanks. Ill take it with the beer you owe me…one day.
@Salmonoid (Comment 28) : hoping to make it to Cape Town in December
Is this oke 31 years old?
And I see the loan is only for five weeks, which is positive..
@robdylan (Comment 29) : 😎
@Salmonoid (Comment 25) : seems age wise alone they can ask to be treated with respect! 😆
Respekteer jou oueres…
@Ice (Comment 32) : 😈 …..en jou Sharks span.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 30) : only 5 weeks with his intention of getting noticed for Super Rugby means he will put absolutely everything in in those 5 weeks in the hope of impressing. This is good.
@robdylan (Comment 10) : is it me or is Chadwick pretty small for a prop? I know Beast isn’t the biggest of props but at least he looks like he could run through a brick wall. I know Chadwick has lots to learn and is doing admirably but he needs to bulk up a bit in my opinion
😈 Hey Rob, your titles are catchy! Makes one wanna read it! But the Sharks’ web page has confusing stories!! I am trying to understand this: …. with Janro van Niekerk on loan from Griquas for the next five weeks…Prop Dale Chadwick has carried a heavy workload in the absence of the more recognised Mtawarira, but has gone about the job admirably. He has played every minute in his debut year of Vodacom Super Rugby, but with Mtawarira out for some weeks still, there is always a risk involved where there is no replacement available. “There is a lot of pressure on him because he’s playing a full game each week, he’s not getting replaced,” explains coach John Plumtree. “But he’s picking himself up every Monday and getting going again, so his attitude has been outstanding and that’s good for the future.”
Van Niekerk will spend the next five weeks with The Sharks …While he isn’t expected to feature this weekend against the Reds, his inclusion in the squad comes at an important time??
What is the guy gonna do for 5 weeks to help Chadwick out? Carry his kitt? Pack lunch? Tape the game? 😈
😈 I never see the guys get injured!? On my TV they all went “Yippee! we beat the Lions, proceeded to shake hands, Bisi got the Vodacom prize Daniel did his thing on camera…no sign of einas…nada..then on Wednesday the News: Daniel in cotton wool & Bisi’s knee popped…did they slip in the tuunel, in the shower? Me 😕 😕
@The Duke (Comment 3) : 😆 😆 Yip, …if the javlin, pie eating or sudoku was his strong suite??? Would love to see the coach’s face if the 100m hurdles was this guy’s real quality though!! 😈
@KILLER SHARK (Comment 36) : sharks need a fourth prop to take on tour.
@robdylan (Comment 39) : Do you think the coach is shying away from playing him as it might lead to breaking the team’s cohesion? If he is on loan for 5 weeks only he needs some game time soon? I remember Wilhelm Steenkamp on loan and he sat on the bench evey week. Trying to figure out how this helps our players?