John Smit has landed a major fish for the Sharks, announcing that incumbent Bok fullback Willie le Roux will join the side in 2016.
“Willie is an excellent acquisition for the Cell C Sharks, ” Smit told the Sharks website. “He is a game-breaker who has shown on numerous occasions his class and ability to turn defence into attack. He will certainly strengthen and add great value to our backline.
“We are delighted that he has accepted our offer to ply his trade in Durban and look forward to welcoming him to The Sharks family.”
Le Roux will join the Sharks ahead of the 2016 Super Rugby season, after a stint in Japan.
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Absolutely the best news we have had for a loooong time! Welkom Willie! 😛 😛
Welcome Willie. Bloody happy to have you!
Welkom Willie!
The big question that needs answering is whether he will continue playing in Japan from 2016 onwards?
@Culling Song (Comment 4) : I hope not, this whole issue with the Sharks allowing the guys to sit there though the whole preseason is messing with our whole buildup to S15.
Going to be weird seeing Willie in a Sharks kit 😀
Thats great news!
Pretty sure that’s tomorrows big signing yes? Would be awesome if they announce another big fish. Our collective heads may explode.
Great signing!
Dont u mean Willie is a Cheetah…soon to be a Japanese and eventually a Shark 😉
I wonder how long he signed for. no mention?
Not happy about the ‘stint in Japan’ bit
Will be great to have Lambie and him play together more. Pity it can’t be now ahead of the World Cup.
Hear another big name is in the pipeline. Looks like end of the month we will know?? Anyone know anything??
Poor Smittie and the Sharks Board just cant catch a break.. Thunder well and truely stolen…unless they are going to be announcing another big name tomorrow.
Ok lets start a betting game here. Who do you think will be his first Sharks team mate that he losses his rag with.? I say Mvov’s.
Wonder if SP is starting to pack his bags already?
Welkom Willie!!!!
so, here’s a quiz
Who can tell me when last the Sharks signed a Bok incumbent from another province.
@robdylan (Comment 18) : 😀 Butch James back from the lions?
Wasn’t it Jannie du Plessis back in 08 or 09 or so?
@Dragnipur (Comment 16) : I hope so. 😈
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 15) : I can’t see him tuning SP though
Weldone to all parties involved in the success of pulling this through. Welcome Willie.
@robdylan (Comment 18) : Birdie wont tell me the name but Birdie says within the month another few will be said to be joining the Sharks, one a biggie.
Although my head tells me that this is a great signing for the Sharks as Willie will add huge value to the Sharks team no doubt, I must confess part of me still harks back to an era where it was about about shouting for a local team full of local lads.
2 signings that would make me smile bigger than ever, Lood de Jager and Kriel from the Lions
Alberts wasn’t a bok yet when we signed him. Hmmmm. The Du Plessis brothers?
@sharks_lover (Comment 24) : Smittie and co negotiating hard behind the scenes it seems.. I like!
@Another Nick (Comment 28) : It seems so mate, Sharks need to buy smart, and players with a long future ahead of them, no more retirees.
For the record, apart from a few newspaper reporters, where does it say that Willie will first go to Japan before joining us next year? Really hope it is not the case, and we get him asap to start training and pre-season with us.
@sharks_lover (Comment 29) : Agreed absolutely 1000%. Young guys with oodles of talent that can’t wait to pull the black and white jersey over their heads.
Happiness. Well done John and co.
@Another Nick (Comment 30) : just to confuse it a bit more, this is from the Sharks website, “Springbok fullback, Willie Le Roux will join the Cell C Sharks from Super Rugby 2016.” From ??? I presume they mean “for” but who really knows.
Welkom Willie! Chuffed to have you!!
I old you so…
And Willie is such a cool name to shout out loud!!
@Dragnipur (Comment 27) : Lourens Adriaanse was Bok, but not a major one though.
Jannie was a Bok but cant remember if he was the incumbent. Stefan Terblanche? did he not become a Bok whilst a Boland player?
@Culling Song (Comment 4) : Willie may actually need some time away from SA judging from his playing of late. I’m hoping he comes back reinvigorated, similar to Elton.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 33) : From also works.
@Dragnipur (Comment 39) : it could also mean after.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 33) : Ha! Yea I also saw that and assumed it should be “for”. Guess we will only find out for sure at our first SR games’ kick-off. Until then, let’s all just speculate and make assumptions. 😉
Alistair Cook out, loevely.
@pastorshark (Comment 36) :
You want to consider that one again? What would your neighbours think when you shout out “beautiful willy!”?
Look, good to see a young Bok joining us, especially since we always seem to focus on signing good forwards and mediocre backs.
The key will be whether we actually play a style where he shines as opposed to being a liability.
@Big Fish (Comment 43) : My advantage is that in German we don’t have that particular problem!
Williiiiiiieee!
@Big Fish (Comment 44) : Agreed…I trust we will be working towards that…
Who is it Rob?
@pastorshark (Comment 46) : so what’s his nickname in German? “Der Schwanz”? 🙂
@West Indies Cricket Board (Comment 47) : I have no idea- we really need to go back a long way
@robdylan (Comment 48) : Kakaka!!! 😆
@robdylan (Comment 48) : I suspect that nickname will be adopted in my group of friends!! 😆
We can’t complain about this one. 25 and a Springbok. Really good.
Damn Japanese clubs always throwing a spanner in the works… 😎
@pastorshark (Comment 51) : 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 49) : Probably Willem Alberts. I’m not sure if he was a bok yet, but he was a big deal.
@The Great Couch Shark (Comment 55) : nope, he wasn’t a Bok yet.
@The Great Couch Shark (Comment 55) : agree he was a big name, but wasn’t a capped Bok incumbent. Tell you what, the last time we pulled off a coup like this (buying a current member of the Bok starting team) was probably 20 years ago
The last 3 signings in stark contrast from the previous ones. Someone different doing the procurement.
Now just get Warren Whiteley or Arno Botha then Redelinghuis or even Herbst. We will be set.
@Dragnipur (Comment 16) : ill help him just to make sure
Just raises a question on the Joe Pietersen buy. But Pietersen can play 10 and 15. So our zeilinga issue solved for a year or two. I get shivers thinking of a back line with lambie, le roux, steyn, sithole, mvovo and Jordaan. Pietersen alternating for either lambie or le roux. Mouthwatering, now just fire horak and get them the coaching worthy of them….Venter as permanent not consultant or get Chester Williams on board.
I like. This is more like it for the team once k own as the Manchester United of rugby.
Chester Williams? Bwahahahaha kakakaka he he heh Nkandle he he heh
@sharks_lover (Comment 24) : let that canary sing mate ,bring em on
Oops my spelling is atrocious. I am disappointed they didn’t bring Andre Joubert out of retirement to fill the fullback void.
@robdylan (Comment 57) : Stransky?
Great signing by the Sharks.
Now watch Gold play him at outside centre.
@jonnow (Comment 67) : Or at flank. Seems anyone can play there a lock a hooker..
Anyone.
Seriously though what use is a big name backline when we obviously don’t have the coaching to get the most out of them? Our current back line boasted at least 5 big names and what did it help?
@jonnow (Comment 67) : Will take it.. AS long as JPP is moved to wing !!!! 😉
@SharksRTB (Comment 66) : Stransky was the opposite. He was Bok incumbent when he LEFT us.
I’m heading for Robert du Preez/James Small back in 1993….
You can give a army cook the best ingredients pots and pans but it won’t make him a master chef. Gary hold and his buddies is still our weakness. This team as is should have performed a lot better and would have too under decent coaching staff.
I really hope Japan doesn’t ruin Willie ‘ s game. They tend to come back with much less aggression and drive, once they have been over there.
Have a Willie nice day all.
@robdylan (Comment 72) : Small was next on my list as well…
Great signing. Probably one of the few SA back line players that could walk into most Kiwi teams as a starter.
However it will be of little help if we can’t improve the overall quality of our attacking play. Currently the new Ferrari at the back will get cold watching the John Deere’s endlessly bashing away in front of him.
@robdylan (Comment 72) : Robert du Preez / James Small. What a decent combo at the PUKKE. KZNRU should keep them close.
@robdylan (Comment 72) : I would have gone with James Small on that one
Andre Snyman?
@Bokhoring (Comment 77) : Fire Horak and Venter and get 1 decent fulltime backline coach and one decent forwards coach.
@SharksRTB (Comment 70) : I am hoping JPP plays his last game for the Sharks in 2 weeks time. Get Hendriks or Sergeal. JPP showed me that he no longer has the hunger.
Andre Snyman debuted for the Boks in 96 and moved from the Bulls to the Sharks after the 99 Currie Cup. There must be someone more recent but at least that puts James Small to bed.
JPP is done for. Japan (his new master who pays him the big bucks) has killed his Sharks motivation.
I hate the Japanese combo deals and it’s the one thing that worries me about the le Roux signing.
Must say not sure about this one!? Willie is a quality player but somehow I’m not sure about him fitting into the that Sharks setup.
@robdylan (Comment 72) :
Percy was after that.
2005 i think.
@coolfusion (Comment 59) : Yeah, there needs to be a tighthead in there somewhere…
@pastorshark (Comment 87) : Herbst would be great. He has had some excellent experience overseas.
@VinChainSaw (Comment 86) : Yeah, I was going to say Percy…he came to us in 2005…
@coolfusion (Comment 88) : I’d take that…
Ai toggie tog ….. What is it with the Sharks an Ego-Players. Smitie went for a flash player. If this is the trend – you Sharks suporters are in for another roller-coaster season. Where to now for SP – with minimal personal attention and corrections he should be the next Bok fullback. People this laaitie, SP, is the real deal – quality !!!
@VinChainSaw (Comment 86) :
I believe you are correct Sir.
@The Brand (Comment 91) : Well, if SP can do what Hugh Reece-Edwards did when Andre Joubert arrived, then he will show us that what you say is true…
@pastorshark (Comment 93) : SP is quality – yet still a youngster. Whatch him next game – he is always scanning, but scanning calmly, not franticly like Willie le Roux. I have also NEVER seen SP passing to the vlagman like Willie …….. SP’s cutting in the backline is poetry in motion – precise and with pace …. Hahaha I like the kid !!! Not a fan of willi-passi-flagman ….
If willie played in your son’s Primary School 1st team and passed twice to the flagman in one game – he would never be selected again…..would he ???
@The Brand (Comment 94) : 😆 😆
@The Brand (Comment 94) : The thing, though, is that Willie has also shown excellence at the highest level. SP has had a poor 12 months or so. If he wants to be acknowledged as you describe him, he has to up his performance consistently to the levels we know he can produce…
@pastorshark (Comment 97) : Do a critical – ‘cold’ – analysis of Willie’s ganes – he stuffs up in each – he goes “walk-about” mentally just too often and NO he will not ‘walk’ into any NZ team ! SP on the other hand is solid – with the X-factor …. Now THAT is what you want !
Someone earlier mentioned Kriel and Arno Botha – qaulity both. Now we need to find two/three solid props + an enforcer lock youngster to partner Du Toit. JPP on the wing – means a solid 13 needed. Man … now even I get excited for the Sharks next season …. 🙂
@The Brand (Comment 99) : Agree re: props and lock…and not having JPP at 13!
William Small-Smith looking for a new “home” is see, wonder where he will end up? #sharks #stormers
@capesharks (Comment 101) : *excellent* (Mr Burns style)
@Big Fish (Comment 92) : No he is not correct, it was Andre Snyman. The question was the last time the Sharks signed an incumbent Bok FROM ANOTHER PROVINCE, not Europe.
😛
@Dancing Bear (Comment 103) : Besides, I don’t think Percy was an incumbent, didn’t he have to return to SA to be selected. I don’t believe he was selected for SA while he was in Wales 2002-2005.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 103) : Andre Snyman! Yes, that’s probably it
@The Brand (Comment 94) : @The Brand (Comment 91) : Helllooooo SP ,great imagination ,now move along and go do what you do best for another team
@robdylan (Comment 102) : Is there are a chance we’ll have to Willies at the Sharks next year?! 😆
@robdylan (Comment 105) : Jannie DuPlessis was an incumbent Bok when he came from Vrystaat to the Sharks, he was incumbent in the number 17 jersey (RWC 2007 Final) then went to Sharks I believe.
Lourens Adriaanse?
@capesharks (Comment 101) : does he play 12 or 13?
@JD (Comment 109) : At least Jannie actually got capped again after moving to the Sharks, Adriaanse’s stocks have dropped dramatically since moving to the Sharks I am afraid.
Shit this whole Fred for Joe thing reminds me of the Strauss for Bowman swop!!!!!!
Sharks getting the short end of the stick but sorry to say deservidly so for singing old players and then “forgetting” the youngsters. I really hope the same thing does not happen with Heimar!!!!!
@The Brand (Comment 91) : What a joke! Funniest comment I’ve read on here all year. Get real. 🙄
@Ben (Comment 113) : I was waiting for your comment on that…
@pastorshark (Comment 114) : It’s preposterous.
@pastorshark (Comment 114) : This is how I rank the fullbacks in SA.
1. Willie le Roux
2. Jesse Kriel
3. Cheslin Kolbe
4. Andries Coetzee
5. SP Marais
@Ben (Comment 116) : It was very hard to pick between third and fourth.
Willie le Roux has the best sidestep in SA Rugby in my opinion.
I see in Beeld that the Sharks are interested in William Small-Smith.
It’s not April Fools Day right?
Well I’m really late to jump on the band wagon, but I must admit that I’m excited about the signing. Even thou I’ve read some mixed emotions on here and elsewhere. Some have even saying that he has a huge ego and is very arrogant. Well I don’t know about arrogant but I do hope that this “star” will be what our backline needs and also hopefully he will stay fit and injury free. I do have one problem thou, and that is that I’m not to sure that our current structure will suite him. Perhaps I’m just a little negative towards our coaching staff at the moment.
@Ben (Comment 116) : You’ve git SP at 5?! I was expecting you to list Lwazi Mvovo, Jurgen Visser, Clayton Blommetjies and even Jannie du Plessis ahead of him!
There’s about 40 club and school fullbacks better than SP
@Rvw (Comment 119) : Its on Supersport web too.
I wonder how he and Fransie will get along? I remember a certain bok game, where they did not seem too friendly with one another.
@pastorshark (Comment 122) : I only listed the teams’ first choice fullbacks. If I had to make a list of all the South African players that can play fullback then SP would be way down there.
@Dryden (Comment 123) :
SP Marais is not a youngster. He is born 6 months before Willie le Roux and already 26.
He has also played for the Sharks since Currie Cup 2013. I always like him and was one of the people that thought he might make something of himself, but he hasn’t made enough of the opportunities he’s been given at the Sharks. 21 CC games and 27 SR games and still we measure his performance by how many balls he kicked out into touch on the full – SP kicked only 2 directly into touch this week… good game, improving. Granted, he has actually been improving, but he’s been improving from frankly, atrocious form and has now reached an acceptable standard.
Maybe he’ll learn a thing or two from Willie, but I think Willie’s signing means SP will move on to another union, maybe back to the Kings where he played his best rugby.
@bokbok (Comment 125) : It seems everybody has missed this bit of news: there’s a fair chance, if rumour is to be believed, that Frans and Willie will not be playing together at the Sharks…
http://www.superxv.co.za/46628/1/spies-and-steyn-linked-to-french-club-montpellier
When Bobby Skinstadt needed a place in the 2005 Bok team the Sharks signed him from nowhere and gave him a chance to play himself back into selection.
He repaid us with an unrelenting campaign of negative criticsm to all things this side of the Drakensberg,much like Stransky who also owes everything in his career to Natal.
I would say Bob was probably the last Bok to be signed he came a few weeks after Percy.
@pastorshark (Comment 129) : Well TBH, Sharks fans are so shit. They treat FS like crap, I would not want to play for this province ever in my life if I was him.
@The hound (Comment 130) : Bob only signed for the 2007 season from what I remember.
@Uli Boelie (Comment 132) : Sorry I meant 2007.
@pastorshark (Comment 129) : So if this is true then Frans never had a problem with Jake either.Janie, Bismark now Frans,mmmmm don’t get more senior players than those three.
@The hound (Comment 134) : I am sure the problems was more on the “helpers” side.
@The hound (Comment 134) : Did you miss the news that Jannie and Bismarck don’t want to go there any more?
@Ben (Comment 136) : Fransie,Jannie and Bissie are tighter than a Shark’s arse at 50 thousand fathoms,thats an old Bethlehem saamwerk unie,
@The hound (Comment 137) : You didn’t answer my question?
@The hound (Comment 137) : http://www.sharksworld.co.za/2015/05/29/another-strange-twist-in-du-plessis-saga/
@Ben (Comment 138) : What Question,neither the brother’s or their agent have confirmed anything,except that they are moving to France and have a contact with Montpelier My observation was that IF the Frans Steyn story is true,then as he has the same agent it would look like he was following the brothers to join Jake.
Presuming all this is true and at the moment it seems like it is,then there’re two likely scenarios.
One Steyn also signed with the club before he knew Jake was going there or.
Two, none of the three have a problem with Jake.
I am kinda leaning to two.
It is amazing how everyone, who is anyone is all of a sudden linked to Montpellier.
@The hound (Comment 140) : . “According to The Mercury, who have managed to wheedle some sort of statement out of agent Gerrie Swart, the brothers are contractually obliged to join Montpellier (or else risk forfeiting a Million Rand each in deposits) but appear to be looking for some sort of loophole that will allow them to play elsewhere in France.”
“We can now, seemingly, confirm the assumption we made earlier in the year that the pair had agreed to move to the Southern French city before old nemesis Jake White was appointed head coach there.”
Your coffee is getting cold.
I’m lost on the frans steyn issue? Last I heard he wasn’t moving? What’s the status now and is it confirmed?
I for one will not complain if John lands William small smith the kid is a star. But what of Jordaan sithole who have been loyal and waiting even behind the ridiculous jp? William and Arno will be great if we can get them. Arno must be fed up waiting behind spies so too burger odendaal who in my opinion is better than serfontein.
Well cannot speak as a Sharks supporter but as a supporter of whatever team I am in two minds about this.
Talented player… sure.
But for me personally there is a big difference between a value signing (a signing of significant value to the union) and a marquee signing (very cool PR exercise but not gaining so much value out of the player).
The fact that Willie is on one of these Japan deals means his value to the union is very limited and I am yet to see a Japan based player for any team, no matter how talented, add significant value even when he is available (and not injured or nursing niggles thanks to basically no off season).
Given when Japanese leagues begin and end, and that IRB regulation 9 means the Boks gets first dips of anyone (12 to 14 games a year), Willie seems to be a great signing in name, but not much else.
@Ben (Comment 142) : ”According to The Mercury, who have managed to wheedle some sort of statement out of agent Gerrie Swart,”
This doesn’t sound like it’s cast in stone.This sounds like a lot of unsubstantiated supposition,
@Morné (Comment 145) : So Schalk Burger does nothing for you.
@The hound (Comment 147) :
Doesn’t seemed to have been missed much when rested last weekend.
Point is simple. The value of any player (to the team through performance) on one of these Japanese deals does not increase because of it, they don’t become ‘better players’ for playing in Japan.
Those leagues do not match the intensity, pace or skill of European or Super Rugby competitions – I would be surprised if it is actually on Currie Cup level. So there is little to be gained for players if development is what you are after.
In addition, it robs the players of any type of off-season. The more you play, the more chance you have of getting injured and the longer it takes for you to get over injuries. This has a huge effect on the player’s value (what the union pays for and what they get through actual game time).
Then let’s not forget that just about all of them misses Super Rugby franchises pre-season training and even first 2 to 3 rounds of games.
So no, other than players earning a shit load of money, there is very little value in such deals for SA franchises.
@The hound (Comment 140) : The Doep brothers would be headline signings for any team in the world. They are already on Montpelliers books. When Jake trooped out his SA signings a few days ago the brothers Doep were not part of that, despite already being on their books – why. They dont want to be there where Jake is. As for Frans Steyn, Jake has long been a mentor and supporter of his and filled this role when Steyn walked out of the Bok camp. I would not be surprised to see Steyn going to join Jake, in fact I would be more surprised if he didnt.
@Morné (Comment 145) : The value of the Japanese league to local players is immense and should be looked at from the players perspective as well.
Rugby is a brutal sport,just look at two of our most successful players in recent history,Joost and Andre Venter.
If you are good enough to be playing Super Rugby but are never going to make the National side,players like Keegan Daniel,Jaco Kriel and probably Warren Whitley,what is the smart move .
Carry on playing in the career limiting Super league where you play 16 tests in 18 weeks,
Or for much more money play in the JLeague,where the standard is at best at club level.
One year in the J League will make you more money than 2 years Super rugby.
It used to be only players the end of their careers like Jaques Fourie who took this road,but today more and more younger players have realised how short their window to earn the maximum out of the sport is.
@Morné (Comment 148) : I have to agree, all of the players that play there are actually a nuisance to any team. These deal are crippling the Super franchises big time. The Sharks at this stage is most hit by this as we have more players there than any other team.
@The hound (Comment 150) : As you say for the players its great (and I agree), but not for the super rugby teams, who are suffering from this.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 149) : I tend to agree with you there, but nothing is cast in stone. There as been two sides to the story with regards to JW leaving the Sharks, which one is the actual truth only “they” would know. If the Dups really don’t like JW we will most likely never know, I am sure if they didn’t actually like him then most likely they would have just paid back that money to Montpelier and move on to Toulon.
@The hound (Comment 150) : @Uli Boelie (Comment 152) : Yes its great for the players and their agents financially but thats where it ends.
@robdylan (Comment 18) : Percy Montgomery?
@The hound (Comment 150) :
There is nothing wrong with players seeking the best deal. But the ‘best’ deal is often overshadowed or marred by money being thrown at them.
Players like Jaque, Bekker, Fourie du Preez made wise decisions – they only play in Japanese leagues, up to 16 games a season, have 3 months off-season, and earn more than what any Super Rugby franchise with a Springbok contract can offer them. That is clever, and they can play rugby for 15 years because of this.
However, players like Schalk, Willie, etc. Who plays 16 games in Japan, 12 tests and then at least 14 Super Rugby games for 12 months a year with zero breaks will be lucky to last 2 years without picking up serious injuries or being burnt out.
I am looking at this from both sides, and I do not see a winner apart from perhaps short term gains if luck is on your side with injuries.
Players are killing themselves or the goose that lays that golden egg.
Franchises who can hardly refuse players of that calibre, talent or marketing potential are putting themselves at huge risk if you consider the ROI.
Willie, Schalk are great names to have on your books for any team, but the actual value of such names to your organisation is precarious.
@Uli Boelie (Comment 153) : The thing is, if Jake was this well loved coach then every Sharks player would have followed him wherever he went – I dont know of one yet.
@The hound (Comment 146) : It sounds a lot more concrete than the stuff you’re coming up with.
@Morné (Comment 156) : I dont know hey, the more punishment that Schalk guy gets the better he gets.
@Morné (Comment 156) : The sad reality is that a Japanese factory league that is made up of mostly amateur players can afford to offer our players more money than a Super rugby contact and a Bok contract.
Why? because the Rand is so shit or because the unions and Saru are not prepared to pay the players what they are worth.
When you look at the serious injuries that super human young players like P.S.D.T and Arno Botha, just to name two, have so early in their careers can you blame them for wanting to get the most out of what they have remaining in the game.
One thing is for certain money will get stronger and loyalty to province and country will get weaker going forward.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 157) : Frans,Steyn would be one,Cameron Wright another,and Nic White and Jesse Mogg from the Brumbies would be two more.
So it’s been reported that cornel Hendricks is also moving to the sharks?? Clean out at the cheetahs or mass exodus… Hmmm
@Morné (Comment 156) : You make very good points Morné. I’m with you on this. I really don’t like players playing in Japan. I’m hoping Willie will only do it this year and not again.
I’ve said it before. The Sharks need players that are committed to the Sharks ONLY.
@Shane Hansen (Comment 162) : I hope not. We don’t need another player that can’t tackle.
@The hound (Comment 160) : If I understand correctly all those teams are heavily sponsored by the various Japanese coorporates and really only exist to add prestige to the companies themselves. There is just no way any local union can compete with these companies – Toyota had a turnover in 2014 of 250 billion USD. To compare SA’s GDP is around 380 billion USD.
The only player I’ve ever seen come back from Japan a better player (form wise) is Elton Jantjies.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 157) : Frans Steyn – nothing confirmed, but like I said I would be more surprised if he didnt go there. Cameron Wright has never taken the field under Jake White as coach. Mogg and White, like Corne Krige, have never played for the Sharks.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 167) : No but they played for Jake White,and if we had given him another year here,maybe they would have played for the Sharks,would have been a great improvement on what we had at 9,and 15 most of the season.
@Bokhoring (Comment 165) : So we going to have to suck it up big time then.
The only way you will be able to afford good players is to share them with the J League,make it an either/ or situation and the J League will win.
@The hound (Comment 168) : I get the feeling that the Jake White that was at the Brumbies and the one that was at the Sharks were 2 different versions of the same person. I would love to know the real story one day.
@The hound (Comment 160) :
There are a lot of factors at play, one huge one is privately (or corporate) owned clubs and secondly the Rand value globally.
Privately owned clubs have an endless money pit they can dig into which is why the French and Japanese are the highest paying leagues. I can understand however why federations are cautious to this approach, you have clubs sueing federations or dictating terms with regards to player availability (specifically the French) and it does little to develop local players (Japan is good at this as they have strict regulations but we can physically see the wheels starting to fall off in French rugby) with such a huge foreign contingent.
@Ben (Comment 163) :
The only thing that will stop this sort of thing is regulations enforced by the IRB with regards to match caps per season, but that is almost impossible to enforce.
@Morné (Comment 171) :
What we also don’t realise, and this is in inherent problem given our past of being isolated in rugby, is the huge costs unions bear just to operate.
Back in the old days when Currie Cup rugby was everything to us you could justify the size of stadiums and bloated organisational staff, but the costs to keep this going in the face of the modern game struggling to get people into stadiums and competing globally for limited television/commercial rights, it is a model that simply has to change.
@Uli Boelie (Comment 131) : Not me…I’ve always liked the man and appreciated his involvement at the Sharks. I get your point…just be careful of the generalisations…
@The hound (Comment 134) : Well, Frans never had a problem with Jake…ever since 2007 Frans has been highly appreciative of Jake. I’m not sure that’s true of the Dup brothers as they seem to be trying to get out of their deal with Montpellier…
@pastorshark (Comment 173) : Me neither, from that first game and the MOM interview afterwards.
@Morné (Comment 171) : Or maybe the true reality is that the game is being run by the T.V. Networks,ever since the 95 WC when the game turned professional,the Unions have got weaker and the Networks stronger.
Case in point is the English Football League,probably the most lucrative league in the world played mainly on television,the truth of the matter is that most English fans given a choice of club versus country would choose the club.
90%of all Man United fans have never been to the U.K.
Maybe one day soon we will all be supporting Datsun United in the J.League.
@The hound (Comment 176) :
Well that is no secret, with no NewsCorp there is no Super Rugby…
@pastorshark (Comment 173) : Hehe, ek weet jy is eintklik n Blou Bull 😛
@Morné (Comment 177) :
Problem is, NewsCorp cares very little for the actual game, and definitely don’t ‘support’ rugby alone – they will drop it in an instance if a new, more popular viewer product comes along.
Remember my prediction, Sevens is going to overtake the 15’s code, sooner than we think.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 175) : Yip who can forget that day 😉
@The hound (Comment 169) : There I think you are correct…
@Morné (Comment 172) : The one union not struggling to fill its stadiums is Western Province,basically because they managed to sell the game beyond its traditional market.
Free State consitently has the highest amount of soccer spectators in the country ,but the lowest rugby attendance.
The Sharks have to find ways to broaden their target market we are woeful at doing this.
If we do not manage to sell the game to the entire population the future is bleak.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 170) : I bet we’ll never really know…Jake and John have both already written their books! 😀
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 175) : Absolutely…
@Uli Boelie (Comment 178) : Nooit… 😆
@The hound (Comment 182) :
WP has over 100 clubs all in very close proximity – the result is there is a strong rugby culture in the region simply because of the numbers in participation.
They have also done well to commit long-term to corporates (suites) and fans (season tickets) which if you don’t have one, is almost impossible to get.
But even WP is losing numbers, not as visible as other unions, but things are not all rosy.
I ask once again. Who is now doing acquisitions at the sharks is it John himself? The latest round of buying seems a lot smarter than the ones beginning of the year. Now he must send Horak packing and get a real assistant for Gold. Also Brendan must bly of ry his consulting is not worth much rather get a committed backline and forwards coach. Gold + kicking coach+ backline coach+ forwards coach. No fancy consulting crap, if the team hurts so must they. And add performance clauses to their contracts.
Lots of squealing on other blogs how sharks poached Willie outside the window. Nice to forget how the same cheetahs got Fred outside the same window. Hypocrites. Lots of shark envy out there even when we are having an off season we are still the biggest threat.
@The hound (Comment 182) : WPRU did not have to sell the game to anyone, that excercise was done by our forefathers many moons ago. – they have it very easy when compared to most other unions in South Africa
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 189) : True but they work harder at it than any other Union.
@Morné (Comment 179) : no it wont 😀 😀 😀
“Andre Bloem [email protected] 6m
Talk of Wandile Mjekevu joining the Cell C Sharks – No confirmation as yet @sbu_zn @SkyTshabalala @myronnaicker”
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 189) : True…the weepee are only where they are because of Danie Craven
So we have fullback sorted. Now what will happen at flank? Specifically the replacement of Mr Alberts. We need a smart strong player with good hands and strong carrying skills. The du preez boys need to bulk up a little and we don’t know if Bothma will stay. His handling needs work also. Is potties intended to be the incumbent if so who is his backup?
@coolfusion (Comment 193) : Concentrate man,he’s talking about Jan van Riebeck
@coolfusion (Comment 194) : We still have Jean Deysel.
@Ben (Comment 196) : He and Kankowski,this season ,are probably the two most expensive mistakes the Sharks have made since Ipi Tahone.
Mad season in June already? Isn’t October/November the monthw for that?
@coolfusion (Comment 187) : Would love Jimmy Stonehouse as a forwards coach. Let’s also invest in the Du Preez brothers. They can support Pottie and Deysel. Kanko needs to go. Money saved can get us a very good lock….where is Williemse (lock from Bulls) now days? Money saved from Jannie can go into getting Vincent from the Pumas. Be brave John. We must never find ourselves in this position again. Thomas must go back to loosehead.
@GreatSharksays (Comment 199) : Thomas looked like a monster yesterday. he could really be a Carl Heyman.
If Jimmy can be swayed, I am sure Koch and Bothma will make permanent moves after him.
@coolfusion (Comment 188) : I still don’t understand the window…are you allowed to get guys outside the window if the other union gave the bloke permission to talk to other unions?
Bothma is contracted to the Sharks for SR in 2016. He will be playing for Nam at RWC this year. 2 years at the same franchise is a little more than temporary no?
@Dancing Bear (Comment 202) : yip but would love him to be part of CC as well. Sharks does not have the greatest records with Super only players so far
@Kabouter (Comment 203) : He would not be available for Currie Cup until 2016 due to RWC commitment with Nam. Who knows what will happen by then, I would not be surprised if he were to sign an extension or new contract after SR 2016 to stay with the Sharks for both CC and SR.
Namibia will get the short end of the stick with Bothma, the Sharks have played him into the ground….deep deep into the ground. His performances of late are terrible compared to his barnstorming appearances early on in the season. Hopefully he comes back in 2016 well rested.
Im very excited about Willie, but I also get the impression it was a PR signing. No one mentions how long he signed for. So we can probably gather its a one year deal. With half his paycheck written off as marketing 😈
@Dancing Bear (Comment 205) : It’s Namibia. Not like they have a chance anyway. 😉
@Ben (Comment 207) : True, RWC for them is 4 matches.
He is a little one dimensional though isn’t he? 😉
@Dancing Bear (Comment 205) : If the other 3 vey expensive loose forwards,Alberts,Kanko and Deysel had shared the load he wouldn’t be so overplayed.
@Ben (Comment 207) : I would love to have that other Namibian flank who plays for Saracens,Jaques Burger, that boy is a machine.
@pastorshark (Comment 201) : Yes it seems if the home union management agrees then they may negotiate outside of the window.
@The hound (Comment 210) : Yes, he’s way better than Warren Whiteley. 😉
@Dancing Bear (Comment 208) : They have never won a world cup game, but they have a good chance this year. Georgia is in the same pool as them.
@Ben (Comment 207) :
@The hound (Comment 209) : This is true…
@Ben (Comment 213) : Should be a cracker!!
@pastorshark (Comment 216) : Indeed.
@GreatSharksays (Comment 199) : I think Montpellier signed him as well
@JustPlainSHARK (Comment 218) : correct
@Rvw (Comment 119) : Now that would be a damn great signing for the Sharks! I like him.
Lots of signing rumours re: Sharks…when will we hear more?
Wow, its a quiete day at Sharksworld today. Snippets of news I have picked up that might be of interest.
Duane Vermeulen seems to be heading for France after rejecting a SARU and WPRU contract. (Note to WPRU…leave Marcel alone)
Bafana Bafana are playing Ghana next Saturday at the Moses Mabhida stadium, the game starts at 15.00. The Sharks take on the Stormers laster on that same day at 19.10. Good uck to all you Durban based Sharks supporters who are going to be at the game.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 222) : Thanx for that, now I def wont be going to the game.
@Uli Boelie (Comment 223) : Its going to be a nightmare.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 222) : I think Bafana vs the Sharks and Ghana v the Stormers would be closer games…
@SheldonK (Comment 225) : I like it.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 222) : Well done, you have just successfully reduced attendance by 50%!