The Sharks look set to have only two players with the last name of “Marais” available for the start of their Super Rugby campaign next year…
While both hooker Franco (who is part of the wider training group and thus unlikely to feature) and lock Peet are taking full part in pre-season training, the third Marais (none of whom is related to any of the others), fullback S.P., will miss the start of the campaign due to a shoulder injury. The former Kings star, who played a huge role for the Sharks during their recent Currie Cup triumph, goes under the knife today and is expected to be out of action for around 3 months. This should see him miss out on the opening few games of the tournament, where after he should be fit for selection.
With both Louis Ludik and Riaan Viljoen having quite the Sharks – along with Jake White’s assurance that Pat Lambie will play flyhalf – the Marais injury leaves the side looking perhaps a little thin at fullback. Frans Steyn and Odwa Ndungane are both strong candidates for the starting 15 jersey, while the likes of Jaco van Tonder, Hansie Graaff and new recruit Tim Swiel could also come into the picture.
Other players understood to have gone in for operations during the off-season are hooker Kyle Cooper, prop Wiehahn Herbst, lock Anton Bresler and wing Lwazi Mvovo. It’s not clear how serious the former two are, while Mvovo is already back in training after sustaining an arm fracture during the Currie Cup Final. Bresler’s shoulder continues to be problematic, but there is strong hope that this latest small procedure will have done the job.
One final bit of news is that former Stormers and Bok winger Tonderai Chavanga – himself in the latter stages or rehabilitation – has joined the Sharks for the pre-season. As a favourite of new Director Jake White, the record Bok try scorer will want to show that he’s still got what it takes to force a place in the final Super Rugby squad, when it is confirmed early next year.
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Holding thumbs for Bresler! Tonderai Chavanga is 29 so I’m sure there’s still a fair bit of gas left in the tank.
@vanmartin (Comment 1) : really? I would have thought mid-30s…. guess he was really young when he started
I’ve liked the look of Jaco van Tonder (the little I have seen of him). I looks like a thinking fullback, takes time to make good decisions, instead of just running, or just kicking.
With Chavanga coming back, we may see JPP or one of out other wings at 15 though – not that Chavanga will go directly into the team, but Jake has a way of identifying players and backing them for a while.
@robdylan (Comment 2) :
He made his debut for the Boks when he was 21.
@vanmartin (Comment 1) :
This guy was super fast when he came onto the scene as a youngster, ran the 100m in – wiki says 10.27. I don’t think any rugby player has recording faster times in SA. Not that we’ve heard of.
He should still be faster than most.
@Letgo (Comment 5) : seems like he’s been injured solidly for about 2 years though.
In fact, make that most of his career.
Wasn’t he meant to be playing for the Cheetahs last year? Whatever came of that?
@robdylan (Comment 6) :
Yep, he only played a couple of games for the Boks before getting injured and never managed to get back in, getting injuries all along the way.
I also heard he would be part of the Cheetahs squad for 2013, but never heard of him. Maybe he’s been regaining fitness?
Chavanga… Good luck to him, but I’m not holding my breath.
@Big Fish (Comment 8) : yup… pretty much how I feel.
I remember Chavhanga playing 15 before…he was pretty good there and i think he has a left foot(not sure though) too.
We all know he has a great handoff and probably one of the fastest rugby players in the world…he is still on crutches atm; i reckon he probably has a short term contract in place to prove his fitness and worth to the squad before there is talk of a longer contract.
I wish him all the best; he is a great player and hope he can put his injury worries behind him and play many games for us.
Chavanga- interesting, he will hav to do a lot to get ahead of our current wings if they are all fit. The Sharks have numerous guys that could fill that fullback slot- Tim Swiel seems to obvious choice. Any news on whether Jordaan is training? And Wentzel? When are JPP and Kanko joining the group? Is Hadebe the only hooker training now?
The one season Chavhanga remained injury free he was amazing at the Stormers…hit some really good form; hope our medical staff gets him right.
The more squad competition the better for us!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CACwD9-OynY
Remind us what he is capable of.
Chavanaga this year…he still has all the speed!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOkI5KK82ck
@JJR (Comment 14) : loads of speed. Looks surprisingly strong too!
@West Indies Cricket Board (Comment 15) : Always had a good handoff, strong upper body…a lot like trompie notshinga, just faster 🙂
@SheldonK (Comment 11) : Jordaan is training, Wentzel is not.
Kanko and JPP still in Japan.
Hadebe and Franco Marais.
Tonderai Chavhanga
Personal information
Full name Tonderai Chavhanga
Born 24 December 1983 (age 29)
Masvingo, Zimbabwe
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight 86 kg (13 st 8 lb)
School(s) attended Prince Edward School, Harare
University University of the Free State
Club information
Playing position Wing
Current club Free State Cheetahs
Youth career
2002–03 Free State Cheetahs
Senior career*
Years Team Apps†(Pts)â€
2004–09 Stormers 35 (70)
2005–09 Western Province 39 (70)
2010–11 Lions 11 (10)
2010–11 Golden Lions 8 (5)
2011–13 Newport Gwent Dragons 28 (50)
2013– Free State Cheetahs 0 (0)
Representative team(s)‡
2003 South Africa U21 ()
2003 Blitzbokke ()
2005–08 South Africa 4 (30)
2007 Emerging Springboks ()
The Sharks have a tendency to get the best out Zimbabweans 😉 Lets hope the same can be said about him 😀
@robdylan (Comment 17) : Thanks Rob. And i just assume Frans Steyn is semi back after his minor op? I see that other kid Mjekevu that we let go is playing in France, he looks decent at 12 but obviously didnt hack it at the Sharks- heard there was an attitude thing. Is Hansie Graaf fit? And is he a viable fullback option? Thought he was more a flyhalf/centre.
U might not like it, but G Whitehead just moved one spot closer to that 15 jersey. Got a good boot on him though. Who doesn’t like that constable mustache…..
@KingsArmy (Comment 21) : seems to have shaved it off
Exciting times ahead! Jake White gives me confidence
@KingsArmy (Comment 21) :
He seems a decent player actually.
@KingsArmy (Comment 21) : Wishful thinking from a Kings supporter 😉 Frans Steyn, Ndungane, Tim Swiel and Jaco Van Tonder for fullback…there is no chance he will get game time.
Mvovo and Chavhanga in the same team? Oh yes please! Stormers can come and try us then with the supposedly super quick hobbits. Between JPP, Chavanga, Mvovo, Jordaan and Swiel we have soome serious speed machines. Wasn’t Chavhanga’s brother Warrior on Gladiators?
@KingRiaan (Comment 26) : yes I think he was
@robdylan (Comment 22) : During Movember?! That’s just wrong!
@JJR (Comment 25) : Ok u caught me out, what gave it away….not a huge whitehead fan, but will love to see some Kings players play big boy rugby.
If I remember correct the problem with most of Chavhanga’s injuries was because his one leg was a bit shorter than the other one, which put immense pressure on his hamstring. Sure I read something like that once.
@KingRiaan (Comment 30) : oh yeah – that’s right.
@SheldonK (Comment 20) : Big pity about Mjekevu as he had some serious talent
@Saffex (Comment 32) :
You like them big, nhe?
@Saffex (Comment 32) : Serious talent but serious attitude as well. Probably why he fits in well in france.
And the Sharks get another injured player to fix.
What about u/21 fullback Sean Robenson?
Hope Van Tonder gets a chance, I also liked the look of what he did when he came on, but then once again that was CC.
@JJR (Comment 16) : just needs to shift the ball to the left arm so as to free the right hand to fend-off any potential cover defender(s).
Didnt see seargal with the 7s boks in dubai and nothing of him playing in pe this coming weekend.cant believe a talent like that isnt anywhere near a sr training team?chavanga,mvovo and seargal- there is some serious speed.
@Saffex (Comment 32) : any idea about mjekevu’s form in france?he was brought into the sharks set-up to play 13 ,right?is he playing there or on the wing in france?