While there was little real cause for cheer on Friday night, if you’re a Sharks fan, a number of individuals did stand out with some special moments.
Against the backdrop of a side clearly exhausted, both physically and mentally, from a long tour and a season that simply hasn’t delivered against any of the expectations, one genuinely felt that the bulk of the playing squad on Friday night was simply going through the motions. Virtually all of the gains made on tour appeared to have been lost, with the up-front intensity (particularly at ruck time) simply not there this week.
The purpose of this piece, however, is to praise the few that stood out, rather than slate the many that didn’t.
First and foremost must be S’bura Sithole, who’s been steadily improving week by week and on Friday night put in a truly barnstorming performance. The young winger seems to have decided to shake off any questions about where he should be played and rather concentrate on owning whatever jersey he’s asked to wear; belying his relatively small frame, Sithole uses his incredible strength to power through the contact point, with the try he scored (with three defenders on his back) reminiscent of the 100kg Trevor Halstead at his very best.
A player who delivered fewer individual standout moments, but was influential all the same, was Khaya Majola. The 23-year-old opernside has found his path to Super Rugby action mostly blocked by the “undroppable” Marcell Coetzee, but showed on Friday night that he is certainly capable at this level, with the required ball stealing skills to excel in the number 6 jersey. His tackle count was also highest on the evening and unlike others in the back row, Majola kept the individual errors very low.
An honourable mention must go to Heimar Williams for scoring the try of the season, quite simply out of nothing. Williams, who started the first two games for the Sharks this season, seems to have dropped right off the radar and only came back into the squad this week. A player who has never let the side down (despite conceding something like 20 kilograms to the hulking Andre Esterhuizen), Williams showed on Friday night that there’s more required to forge a successful career in midfield than bulk alone.
Let’s hope that all three players can go on to deliver further great moments in the Currie Cup campaign to come.
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Too soon to start looking forward to the Currie Cup? Well anyways, here goes: I am so looking forward to the Currie Cup! All the young guys and not so young guys giving their all. Guys like these Rob mentioned above and more. Going to be a good one. 😀
yup, well played you three!
what would our CC team look like?
1. Thomas / Dale
2. Franco
3. Thomas / Lourens
4. Esterhuizen
5. Du Preez
6. Khaya
7. Deysel
8. Du Preez
9. Ungerer
10. Cronje
11. Sithole
12. Williams
13. Jordaan
14. Esterhuizen
15. SP / April
bench:
Kramer
Cooper
Wentzel
Meyer
Venter
SP
Louw
would be a strong contender for successful campaign
@Kabouter (Comment 2) : forgot about Mtembu! should we start with Dup or Deysel?
@Kabouter (Comment 3) : Mtembu faces another few months out
@Kabouter (Comment 3) : Both! Rotate them regularly, which will keep them fresh and keep injuries to a minimum. I would also rotate Jordaan and Sithole at 13.
And to think Gold wanted to start with Bothma in the 6 jersey. IMO open side is also a specialist position.
@Bokhoring (Comment 6) : Bothma not going back to Pumas with Giant?
@robdylan (Comment 4) : Any news on CC coaching team? Or any further signings?
@Kabouter (Comment 7) : Bothma is going to the World Cup with Namibia
@robdylan (Comment 8) : ah yes, but is he not still a Puma?
We will most likely have a young CC pack and based on what Pumas did to Province in Voda final, the guys will have to get street-smart quickly. Wentzel and Bothma should be valuable but we need to give Esterhuizen and Du Preez more game time. I don’t think Esterhuizen should continue as 7 – too slow. his performance vs Crusaders last year at 4 make me very hopeful
@Kabouter (Comment 9) : he is still a Puma. Will return to us for Super Rugby 2016, then to Pumas for 2016 Currie Cup
@Kabouter (Comment 9) : Are you talking about Oosthuizen?
And according to my knowledge both Joe Petersen and Claasens are also coming before the start of the currie cup?
@Kabouter (Comment 2) : Do you really want to move Esterhuizen from centre to lock?!
Or are you talking about Oosthuizen?
@Ben (Comment 11) : Ah, I see you had already picked up on the Esterhuizen/Oosthuizen thing…
@VanWilder (Comment 12) : That is right…I think…
Yup…spot on Rob…those were the bright lights in my book too…
looking forward to the CC as well . Lions should only loose Elton (to Japan) and Schalk van der merwe (to jake) . Going to have a very strong team .
Apart from Heimar’s brilliant try and Mvroomvroom’s intercept, that was probably one of the most boring games I have ever watched. Hell, I have even seen some Aussie derby’s that is more exiting.
So who’s oupa did the Sharks sign now to be announced on Wednesday?
@JarsonX (Comment 19) : heard through the grapevine that willie leroux is on his wAy..
@Shane Hansen (Comment 20) : I’d like that!
@Zibbie (Comment 17) : Yup…our scrum will concern me again greatly!!
@pastorshark (Comment 14) : damn. too much mixing of work and play 😯