Since it’s hard to keep track of all the announcements, here’s my latest view of what the Sharks Currie Cup squad look like. I reserve the right to amend this from time to time!
Props
Dale Chadwick
Juan Schoeman
Lourens Adriaanse
Thomas du Toit
Denford Mutamangira
Hookers
Franco Marais
Kyle Cooper
Monde Hadebe
Locks
Etienne Oosthuizen
Mouritz Botha
Marco Wentzel
JC Astle
David McDuling
Christiaan de Bruin (also 7)
Wiehan Hay
Loose Forwards
Khaya Majola
Francois Kleinhans
Jean Deysel
Wade Elliott
Philip van der Walt
Jean-Luc du Preez
Daniel du Preez
Scrumhalves
Stefan Ungerer
Michael Claassens
Conrad Hoffmann
Flyhalves
Lionel Cronje
Inny-Christian Radebe
Joe Pietersen (also 15)
Garth April (also 15)
Centres
Andre Esterhuizen
Heimar Williams
Paul Jordaan
Waylon Murray
Wings
S’bura Sithole
Odwa Ndungane (also 15)
Wandile Mjekevu (also 13)
Charlie Mayeza
Tonderai Chavhanga
Fullbacks
SP Marais
Alcino Izaavcs
Tweet
is Lewis still injured?
Please sticky if possible, this is great to keep track!
Also wouldn’t Joe P be more of a 15 who can play 10 than a 10 who can play 15?
@Uli Boelie (Comment 1) : oh yes boss. Knee injury means out for the season (at least)
Good work Rob! Is Stevens gone confirmed?
@SheldonK (Comment 4) : yes, Stevens has fokololo’ed off to Toulon, dragging his massive paunch behind.
@robdylan (Comment 3) : ouch
@robdylan (Comment 5) : I just got funny looks for laughing out loud.
@robdylan (Comment 5) : Wonder if he had to pay for extra ‘luggage’ 😉 So time for the props in waiting to front up or F off to be blunt. Wonder if we will actually see Garth April play. Its an exciting team…i just wonder how they would do on a Saturday afternoon on a cold hard field in Kimberly…or a Fri night in PE or Nelspruit…
Not so long ago we had a loose forward contingioun most provinces would dream of, now we look a little thin. Not sure why we still have Conrad Hoffman and we let Cameron Wright go. Glad not to see Matt Steven’s name.
@Bite me (Comment 9) : Those loose forwards look pretty good to me…
Hope the lads will have a great CC. Good luck to the “not set in stone” team.
@Seth101 (Comment 10) : You are probably right. Good young guys coming through. Worried about Deysel’s discipline and injuries. Dan du Preez and Majola have struggled with injuries lately. We were just spoilt with some of the best for a number of years.
Rob do we perhaps have the number of caps for the expected team? Would like to see how it weighs up against other teams. (Not that I have those stats either 😆 )
Which of the loose forwards is a genuine number 8?
@Bite me (Comment 14) : van der Walt is probably the closest
@Bite me (Comment 12) : Well let’s hope that ill discipline and injuries won’t be a factor. We’ve had our fair share and its time to pass that baton on.
@Farlington (Comment 13) : will take me a while, but I’ll try
Enough ingredients to bake a great cake with. Unfortunately I still have doubts about our cook……
@robdylan (Comment 15) : I do not like playing players out of position. Specialist ahead of versatile. Many examples. JPP and Sbura Willem Alberts at lock, Ruan Pienaar at fly half.Let’s hold thumbs and see what happens.
My starting 15:
1. Dale Chadwick
2. Kyle Cooper
3. Thomas du Toit
4. Mouritz Botha
5. Marco Wentzel (C)
6. Khaya Majola
7. Jean Deysel
8. Philip van der Walt
9. Michael Claassens
10. Lionel Cronje
11. Wandile Mjekevu
12. Andre Esterhuizen
13. Paul Jordaan
14. S’bura Sithole
15. Joe Pietersen
@robdylan (Comment 17) : Thanks Rob, when you can thou not really all that important it more me being curious. 😉
@Seth101 (Comment 20) : Not a bad looking team that. I might be tempted to put Oosthuizen in at 4 and Williams at 12. Will give Cooper the benefit of the doubt, hopefully he can find some form again
@Seth101 (Comment 20) : Would rather have Oosthyuzen in place of Botha. Botha (probably due to his age) in S15 managed one good game followed by four / five where he was anonymous.
Also Franco ahead of Kyle for the moment.
@HeinF (Comment 22) : Agree with Heimar at 12. Don’t know about oosthuizen he is a work in progress.
@HeinF (Comment 22) : And Ungerer in at 9…
Looks quite good…let’s see what they can do!
@coolfusion (Comment 24) : I just see Oosthuizen as more of a long term solution, so I hope he picks up his workrate a bit…and stay away from the side of the scrum!
@Bokhoring (Comment 23) : Agreed on Franco as well. I would also have du preez in at flank
@pastorshark (Comment 25) : I haven’t seen Claassen play for a few years now, I am just very curious to see what he can do 😉 but Ungerer is defnitely the guy for us going forward, we need to give him gametime and keep him here!
@HeinF (Comment 27) : I agree with you. I just would not start him yet. He needs confidence so let someone do the hard yards and let him come in with a level of comfort. Just for now, obvious he will have to start earning his regular starter spot by mid series or so.
@coolfusion (Comment 30) : Fair enough, Botha did play some decent rugby this year, so it’s good competition for Oosthuizen to improve his game. For all that we know,McDuling might even be a pleasent surprise for us!
@Seth101 (Comment 20) : Id be happy if that team ran out in the first game. Names such as Adriaanse, Oosthuizen, Murray and Ndungane could very well feature though. Isnt Esterhuizen still banned at the start?
Rob, I see you got Inny listed. Think he’s likely to get a shot in the CC?
Sbura a 13 primarily, surely?
No shortage of pace amongst the outside backs.
I’d start one of Joe P or Odwa in every game to provide some experience to a pretty raw backline.
@SheldonK (Comment 32) : Don’t think so, thanks to the Sharks finally using some common sense again in enlisting him for some club rugby action….
@Big Fish (Comment 34) : They already said Sbu is seen as a better wing right now, cant remember if it was Gold Or Everitt. So you can be sure that is where he will play.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 35) : Ah yes i heard that was a possibility.
@Seth101 (Comment 36) : And i would agree with them…
@SheldonK (Comment 32) : His ban is sanzar thing. They don’t have jurisdiction over CC.
@HeinF (Comment 29) : he ran circles around us when we played Toulon.
We look short at prop … If you need 2 props on the field and 2 props on the bench, one injury and it looks like were in trouble.
Out of interest who is available as a 6th or 7th option if need be?
If the Highlanders can make the finals of Super15 with Reddish 1.96 metres and Ainely 1.97 metres,why can’t Jean luc du Preez 1.97 metres who played Natal Schools for 3 years as a lock ,and S.A Schools for 2 years as a lock play there for the Sharks.
Sorry Dan du Preez,Jean Luc is 1.94.
Willem Alberts and Jean Deysel at different times locked for the Sharks and both are 1.92.
1, 2, 3, 5 and 13 is my main concern at the moment!!!! If Lewie’s and PSDT stay we will be golden at 5 but the lack of real international quality at 1, 2, 3 (excluding Beast and with Big Tom moving to 3) and really good backup for Jordaan at 13 worries me!!!
@JD (Comment 45) : International quality? This is a CC squad….
@The hound (Comment 44) : Neither of the brothers are good enough to be starting just yet in my opinion, regardless of position. Don’t know why you want JL at lock so much? Im sure if we are really in need of a lock they will pick him, but he won’t be first choice there.
@Seth101 (Comment 47) : I ‘d pick him ahead of Botha,and so far that is all we are being offered.
Seriously if we don’t start playing these twins somebody else will,they are the same age as Jesse Kriel,and look where he is.I don’t think there is a decent coach in the rugby world who hasn’t got his eye on these two.
@Seth101 (Comment 36) :
Not sure I agree with that. As long as he starts every game when available I guess I will be happy.
@Big Fish (Comment 49) : Everitt definitely sees him as a wing. I don’t necessarily agree, but Sean doesn’t usually check with me before picking the team 🙁
@byron (Comment 41) : I believe in Currie Cup it’s still just 1 prop on the bench.
Thomas is going to be collecting a LOT of number 17 jerseys.
@GreatSharksays (Comment 40) : Can’t remember the last time I was glad to hear about a player running circles around [email protected]robdylan (Comment 51) : I might have asked this before, but is there any indication that SARU will wake up and make the CC also a 23 player competition?
@Big Fish (Comment 49) : @robdylan (Comment 50) : I would also prefer him at center, alas it’s not going to happen anytime soon.
@The hound (Comment 48) : Jessie got his break out of necessity. They will get the same chance when we need them. Dan Kriel is still in the reserves like these two, just because one young player makes it big early doesn’t mean every player should and will.
Their chance will come and when it does they must take it. My favorite U21 player is Chris de Beer because I know him well, but I wouldn’t force him up when there are better players ahead of him. And lets be honest Botha might have had a average SR but he is still a capped England international. I have no doubt they will do well when the time is right.
So Denford Mutamangira made the grade? Why wasn’t he featured in the “new Sharks” photo?
Kriel dad didn’t stop him from being thrown in the deep end. Rob wants his boys to mature kriel is a back row guy less susceptible to career shortening injuries bad knees etc… the dupreez boys are. As far as I’m concerned chalk and cheese.
Sbura will get exposure at wing for now which better than nothing. Long term it would be great if he could move to 12 but would need to see a great rugby head on him first. So let him pay dues on wing for now.
@vanmartin (Comment 54) : I’m not sure.
@gregkaos (Comment 33) : they’re talking him up….
22 man match day teams for CC do make sense when you think about it
I like the tactical nature of having two props on the bench
that works in SR, bt in CC lots of players are either in japan or with the boks, and it makes sense not to have a really young kid play 10min of first team CC, but instead play 65min u21 cc
it feeds into development, and with players spread across more teams (puma’s) and japan and off to europe and with the boks holding tackle bags
so im on board with match 22’s of CC
@robdylan (Comment 58) : Any idea when the rumours of a return for Craig Burden are going to start?
Woo! I think I got another star! Thanks Rob!
Also, that’s not a bad Currie Cup squad from which to pick.
@Seth101 (Comment 20) : I like it! But I’d also pick Heimar over Andre.
@MerckZ (Comment 61) : It’s interesting seeing peoples variations to the team I would pick.
Honestly I see Heiman as more of a 13 than a 12, and Jordaan as a better 13 than him. Thing is chances are Jordaan won’t last the season so Heiman will get to start games anyway. That’s if Wandi is not played at 13 but I doubt it, unless Odwa gets game time….So man variations :D.
Honestly I think Odwa should retire, I love the guy for his contributions but his days have passed.
@gregkaos (Comment 33) : @robdylan (Comment 58) : I personally hope he is second choice, with Joe first choice fullback.
Rob I would be interested to see you predict a starting 15.
@MerckZ (Comment 60) : they already started some weeks back.
I’m ignoring them.
I mean FFS we’ve sat with 3 Junior Bok hookers piling up behind Bismarck and the moment he leaves, the genius fans start talking about buying more.
@Seth101 (Comment 64) : predict? As in the one I think will play? Or the one I want to play? 🙂
If I had to try second-guess the coaches and pick the most likely team, here goes…
Chadwick, Marais, Adriaanse, Oosthuizen, Wentzel (capt), Majola, Deysel, van der Walt, Ungerer, Cronje, Sithole, Esterhuizen, Jordaan, Ndungane, Pietersen
that’s probably pretty close to the side that will take on the Pumas.
Possible changes: Cooper for Marais, Dan DuP for Deysel (not sure about fitness), Claassens for Ungerer.
Williams and Jordaan would be a mean centre pairing!!!
its amazing how much Heimar Williams’ stock has risen of late. All he had to do was put in some solid performances in the vc while Andre Esterhuizen had so questionable displays in sr. Both talented young guns though. HW in better form though
@robdylan (Comment 66) : I went with a bit of both, but yours definitely looks slightly more realistic. I don’t think it’s the best possible team, but I guess that’s why I’m not a coach :D.
If we want to see some flair and pace in the back it has to be Williams and Jordaan mjekevu and sithole on wing. If we want to just blindly crash and hope to retain then esterhuizen. Fisher and Esterhuizen on the bench till they can show their worth. Is fisher available?
@coolfusion (Comment 71) : I’ll admit to being a little in the dark when it comes to Tyler Fisher. I know he joined the SARU Academy 7s squad, but I’m not sure what the future holds after that. He’s definitely not training with the Currie Cup squad and as far as I can tell form social media, is actually in Joburg at the moment.
There was even a plan afoot earlier in the year to loan him out to Griquas – in other words, his shares do not appear to be a desirable commodity in Durban at the moment.
Is anyone watching this Super Rugby Final…wow! Running, enterprising, end to end stuff!
It is 0-3 to the Highlanders…Barrett has missed 2 penalties, though, and honours have been about even…
0-3 after 25 minutes…
3 quick tap penalties in a row now, both sides taking turns in running it…wow!
Sopoaga will now take a long shot at goal…
He nails it and makes it 0-6 after 28 minutes…
Aaron Smith kicks it directly into touch and the Canes have an attacking lineout…
Although that was scrappy, it must be said that the Canes lineout has been very good tonight. Landers turn it over, kick downfield…then Canes run it from inside there 22 and are on the attack again…wow!
Ohhhhh…the Canes knock it on 5m out…wow, what a passage of play!!
The Landers are psyched up BIG time…
Great exit by the Landers…and then brilliant run by Perenara!!!! He tried to get the offload in, but just couldn’t…
The Canes steal the lineout, though, and are right on the line, but can’t get over…attacking scrum…
Peyper has had a very good game so far…you don’t even notice him…
Nonu is in…TMO to check…
Try time!!
Really good stuff by the Canes…
Barrett misses his THIRD kick and leaves the Canes trailing 5-6 after 37 minutes…
The Highlanders with a great counterruck…they attack hard but are just bundled into touch a few meters out…
The Landers steal the lineout and attack through several phases in the 22…
TMO to check for a try…
Shame man…Dixon thumped it down on the foot of Milner-Skudder…did he get some grass with it…
Oh wow…he awarded it! That will be controversial! He grounded it on a Highlanders leg, then lost control before it touch the ground. That’s how I would have called it…but it was awarded…
Sopoaga nails it and makes it 5-13 at halftime…
The difference between the sides is 3 out of 3 kicks for Sopoaga vs 0 out of 3 for Barrett…otherwise very even!
Handy lead for the Highlanders…can the Canes come back?
What a game! 😎
Thankfully we’re spared two SA sides kick and charging us into depression.
Barret is going to cost the Hurricanes this game.
@Ben (Comment 99) : Could have told you that after last week’s semi.
The Canes change room will have to deal with the nerves, I’m sure…
@Spirit of Rugby (Comment 98) : What a game…I agree with you 100%! Who said a final had to be dour?
@Ben (Comment 100) : Yup…it’s why Sopoaga is my kicker in my fantasy league side…
The Canes have a penalty straight away…will Barrett have another crack? Yes…
And now he nails one…that’ll settle some nerves…
8-13 after 42 minutes…
The Canes do some good work, but are then penalised at the breakdown and concede the turnover…
Great half-break by Sopoaga…the Highlanders are certainly not standing back an inch…
Great try Landers!!
Naholo in at the corner after brilliant build up play!! Great stuff…
Conversion against the upright…8-18…
8-18 after 48 minutes…
The Highlanders are playing sooooo well!!
@pastorshark (Comment 102) : Saffers seem to believe that dour rugby is required in a final. 🙄
Canes will have to show some character here…
@Spirit of Rugby (Comment 114) : Well, at least our ref is doing well…
The Canes get a penalty…what will they do here? Shot at goal…
Another good kick makes it 11-18…that was his toughest kick of the night…nailed it!
11-18 after 54 minutes…
Wow…more end to end stuff!!
@pastorshark (Comment 116) : Yes, but he’s being helped by the way these guys are playing.
Penalty to the Landers…surely they will take a shot!!
@Spirit of Rugby (Comment 121) : Absolutely…
Sopoaga will take the shot…
Sopoaga caught Barrett’s Disease.
Wow, he’s pulled it and it stays 11-18 after 58 minutes…
Wow! Even their locks can work the blindside and create an overlap!
@pastorshark (Comment 127) : Scary!
@Spirit of Rugby (Comment 125) : It must be uphill…Barrett and Sopoaga have both missed all the kicks at the one set of posts and nailed all the kicks at the other…
Canes on the attack…
I wouldn’t mind this going into extra time.
Savea drops the ball with an open try line!!!! Ohhh…not the best pass, but they really should have scored!!!
@Spirit of Rugby (Comment 131) : You and me both! Wow…
@Spirit of Rugby (Comment 131) : You just can’t help feeling that if this was dished up in SA every week, our stadiums would be fuller than they are!!!
The Canes have stepped up a gear…
They will be kicking themselves for missing that try a moment ago…
Sopoaga is down after that kick…but he can continue…
@pastorshark (Comment 129) : Have you ever been on Barberton’s rugby field? I don’t think there’s another with such an incline. The stand is about 20 wide. On the one side you sit with your knees around your ears and at the other end your legs dangle. 😆
Kick charged down by Perenara and the Canes end up winning a penalty…have to take the shot…
Nails it…14-18 after 67 mins…
@pastorshark (Comment 134) : Agree. This is how rugby is meant to be played. Who wouldn’t want see this live every week?
NZ have both of the best scrumhalves in the world. By a mile!
Pressure on from the Canes…but they couldn’t convert there…now they have an attacking lineout…
Great defence Landers and they earn a penalty…
@Spirit of Rugby (Comment 141) : Agreed…
@Spirit of Rugby (Comment 142) : Agreed again…
The highlanders are keeping the ball in hand and now only 5 mins remain…
What a try saving, maybe match saving tackle by Savea…oh…my…word!!!
@pastorshark (Comment 148) : He should get bonus fantasy league points for that!!! Wow!!!
4 minutes…
@pastorshark (Comment 148) : All I can say is WOW!!!
Banks nails a drop kick and makes it 14-21!!!
Savea knocks the kickoff…Landers scrum with 2 minutes to go!!
Wow! The Highlanders have won it!! Wow, wow, wow…
What a game!
Thanks to both sides for an absolutely awesome game of rugby!!! 😎 😎 😎
The Canes had their chances…but couldn’t take them…it was very even, but the Landers deserve it at the end of the day!
Of course, the difference is exactly that controversial converted try that the TMO awarded…
What a wonderful final!!!
Congrats Highlanders. Well deserved!
What an amazing match. Rugby as it should be played. I am very glad for Jamie Joseph and his band of brothers.
@pastorshark (Comment 158) : Not a try in my opinion.
@pastorshark (Comment 158) : I thought the try was fair. Hand on ball when it touched the grass and Milner-Skudder’s boot and before he lost control of it.
Spare a thought for Plum, his team yet again fails at the final hurdle.
Well done Highlanders, very few thought you would win this one.
@Spirit of Rugby (Comment 163) : But no downward pressure in my opinion.
@Ben (Comment 165) : But if no downward pressure is required then it’s a fair try. Not sure about the law.
@Ben (Comment 166) : Not required anymore. As long as he has control the instant when the ball touches the grass it’s deemed fair.
Right gents…off to go do a wedding…the groom asked me to tune the Lions a bit, seeing as two of his groomsmen are Lions supporters. A bit tough to do after a season in which they outdid us…but watch me give it my best shot!!!
Hahaha SA are so screwed for the world cup!
@pastorshark (Comment 168) : Ja, sounds like a tough gig! Good luck! 😀
@robdylan (Comment 72) : Another kid slipping through the cracks
@pastorshark (Comment 168) : Give them both yellow cards
@Seth101 (Comment 169) : @pastorshark (Comment 159) : what skills,what game plans eish and that is the level of finals rugby now,final of SR,eish,I think Huge Mistake is dreaming
@benji (Comment 173) : ja must say the amount of talented and in form players is worrying if you support the Bokke or any other team!!!!
If the Highlanders can come from nowhere – the perennial basement of NZ Super rugby – then there is no excuse for the Sharks not winning this thing in 20 years. I hope the Sharks pull finger, we have much more at our disposal than what is available in Dunedin.
The press are going on about how frustrated Wellington is tonight, having led from the front all season only to lose the home final. Think.back.to.Durban.2007….
We know that pain only too well. It still hurts me 8 years later…
@Orlok Tsubodai (Comment 176) : I don’t want to think about that…the day that rugby died…
lets talk about something else
@Orlok Tsubodai (Comment 176) : 2 for 2 for Plum…still unable to win a SR title, maybe the Sharks should take him back, then we too can again reach finals and never win it – many on here will be oh-so very happy with that level of mediocrity 😈
@FireTheLooser (Comment 179) : ja boet let’s hope the new coach can do better!!!
@FireTheLooser (Comment 179) : Man, I do feel for Plum though…
@pastorshark (Comment 181) : how. Did wedding go,you sort those Snoil out? Well in a Godly manner of sorts?
@benji (Comment 182) : Absolutely…it went well and I found the ideal way to rip them off while being kind of nice!
@pastorshark (Comment 177) : @Orlok Tsubodai (Comment 176) : @Orlok Tsubodai (Comment 175) : Amd who was Kaptein,my Kaptein,eish gents.
@pastorshark (Comment 183) : You have to and all you cannoy sink to my level
@pastorshark (Comment 183) : I have to ask,Prey tell?
Sorry pray tell?
Sorry pray tell?,Rob won’t let me ask the Pray part
@JD (Comment 180) :That’s why Sharks need a hardcore coach like JM or same otherwise same old same old,kak culture,no SR trophy
@Orlok Tsubodai (Comment 175) : Perrenial or proverbial. Perrenial means evergreen.
@coolfusion (Comment 190) : that’s in the sense of plants. Perennial also means enduring or happening again and again. The Highlanders were perennial Kiwi basement boys in Super rugby. Geddit? But no more. My point is if they can win so can the Cheetahs. Imagine how much more acute that is for the ‘mighty’ Sharks.
Mr Hertford Highlander congrats on your team’s win buddy. Enjoy it!
@benji (Comment 189) : Durbs is a different beast to the other Unions, much like the Reds in Oz. Hardcore coaches dont seem to do well here. Coaches have to find a balance and a way to inspire the personnel they have. The Sharks squad have the ability to play an attractive brand of rugby provided they are motivated to do so. Im sure im not the only one that has sensed a lack of motivation or energy from this Sharks camp for some time…need inspiration from somewhere…mayb another Frenchman is needed?
@FireTheLooser (Comment 179) : Ill take the 2 ex Sharks’coaches mediocrity any day of the week, if that is the mediocrity they bring with them.
Looking at this morning’s training pictures, Wiehan Hay is still in the squad. I’ve added his name
@robdylan (Comment 195) : didnt i see Brendon Groenewald also training? Are there any CC warm up games?
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 194) : Couldn’t agree more,plus the other ex Shark on the Highlanders coaching team Tony Brown.
@The hound (Comment 197) : ja but Brown only played for the team he never coached.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 194) : So you were happy for the Sharks to never win the SR trophy since 1996, as long as the Sharks were merely competitive? 🙄
You can only be runners up for so long until younger to start looking for someone who can take you all the way. Just make sure to give that person more than one season when you find him.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 199) : Who never wants their team to win every game they play. Read the comment again. Time to get over your feelings about supporting that Facebook petition to get rid of Plum. Let it go. 😈
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 201) : Come on fella, Plum only ever got us that far and he’s done exactly the same at the ‘Canes.
I don’t dislike the guy, as he seems like a genuinely nice guy.
But the Sharks need someone that will get them over that final hurdle – I’m not saying that guy is Gold, but I’m sure as heck happy that the Sharks are at least doing something about addressing the consecutive SR failings of the Sharks.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained
@FireTheLooser (Comment 202) : Did you watch more than 1 Canes game this year, seriously. We can only dream of playing rugby like that. And to blame them not winning the final squarely on Boyd and Plums shoulders comes across as, at least, mischevious.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 202) : Im far from convinced that the methods employed in address the consecutive SR failings are going to bear much substantial fruit in actually achieving that goal. We live in hope.
Lets be honest Sharks rugby at their best is not on the same level as some of the rugby the Canes played. That is a country wide trend when it comes to SA vs NZ rugby style. Sure Plum was the coach but the team has talent and flair that we almost never offered him. Also remember they were first for the whole season after like week 4, they my have lost the final, but they were still the no.1 side in the competition.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 202) : @Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 203) : Dick Muir with Plum as assistant. That’s where the real magic happened.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 203) : I also enjoyed the rugby we played under Plum, except for our inability to protect that darned ball at the breakdown, and the consistent lineout failings….but we never got over that final hurdle – our willingness to celebrate the ability to reach finals saw us go through a 12 trophy drought.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 204) : The one thing that gives me hope is Smit’s focus on the foundation of the union – school’s rugby, varsity rugby and age group rugby.
Unless the u/19’s start to win trophies, we can’t realistically expect the u/21’s to win any trophies, and in turn we will be stuck buying mercenaries for the senior side – that was the Brian van Zyl way of ding things…it got us to the final hurdle, but never over it.
@vanmartin (Comment 206) : …don’t forget about Campo.
But, they were only able to get us to the final – why they weren’t retained for the following few years I wouldn’t know, as that would have seen our boys win a fair few SR trophies with the crop of players now leaving.
@Seth101 (Comment 205) : Far too many similarities to 2007 – a year in which Plum was Sharks assistant coach….Plum’s confidence must be shot.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 208) : I did, apologies.
It was however different to other SR finals we reached in that we were in the game up until the death. But enough about that final, let’s not open up old wounds.
“Sport24News [email protected] 1m1 minute ago
BREAKING NEWS: Pieter-Steph du Toit has left the @TheSharksZA. Cape Town-bound… ?”
And hes gone
@Seth101 (Comment 211) : http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Super15/Pieter-Steph-du-Toit-leaves-Sharks-20150707
@Seth101 (Comment 212) : It’s also already up on SharksRugby.
Pathetic really what happened to:
“I have a debt to pay to a franchise that welcomed me with open arms when I was a nobody out of school, and then have stuck by me for two years when I was mostly injured,”
“I need to honour that debt and I want to.”
@Seth101 (Comment 214) : That statement will mar what has other wise been a very level headed player.
@Seth101 (Comment 214) : PR spin to drive up his new contract price.
Aghh… I have no words. Even thou I expected it. Well cheers and good luck. hope he will learn to think before he says anything to the press in the future as his comments only made him look stupid,
@Seth101 (Comment 214) : I can understand why he left, so won’t hold any grudge against him. Obviously a very difficult choice for him, but if he is going to be happier at CT with his family then I wish him all the best. Honestly would not hold a 22 year olds comments against him.
Few would argue that EE & PSTD are the future lock pair for the Springboks so there is that too. How does a young up and coming kid resist that? I wouldn’t. This sucks for the Sharks but in terms of the Springboks its huge.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 215) : I haven’t really got a problem with him leaving, but that statement and the way he handled this whole situation,makes me glad that he is leaving. We will be fine without him, the Sharks is a team, not a player
@gregkaos (Comment 218) : Then he shouldn’t have opened his mouth and said he owes the sharks and wants to pay them back. No he just looks like a selfish idiot.
@Seth101 (Comment 220) : It’s sad that a player, who is suppose to be loyal, can just so easily go back on his word. Can’t see Lewies for instance doing this
@HeinF (Comment 219) : Agree 100%
I for one will boo the hell out of this guy the next time I see him, luckily I sit right next to the gate.
@Seth101 (Comment 223) : The next time you see him? 😆
He’ll be sitting next to the field with yet another ailment 😉
@FireTheLooser (Comment 224) : Thanks, you making me feel better 😆
@Seth101 (Comment 225) : The streamers will have two half broken locks = 1 fully fit lock, probably a win for them 😈
@Seth101 (Comment 220) : At the time he probably thought it was the right thing to say. I’m pretty damn sure he wants to pay back the debt, but the lure of CT is overwhelming.
Are people seriously going to fixate on a young kids, comments to the media, make assumptions on his real intent, and slander his name?
Anyone else here give up a job where you had project you really wanted to see to the end, but didn’t because a great opportunity came up?
@FireTheLooser (Comment 226) : Nothing will make me happier than if he goes the way of Jaco Taute.
@gregkaos (Comment 227) : Most jobs don’t involve the media lime light. Plenty of other players say things and stick to their word, just like plenty of other players receive great offers but choose to go with loyalty. I’m sorry but there is no excuse for what he has done.
@Seth101 (Comment 228) : “No he just looks like a selfish idiot.”
@gregkaos (Comment 230) : ?
@Seth101 (Comment 231) : Didn’t think you’d get it.
But I’ll leave this at the point where I’ve pretty much filled my daily quota of discussing anything with someone who delights in other peoples injury.
@Seth101 (Comment 223) : So you will boo him and cheer for le roux or coenie oosthuizen whom the cheetahs have invested as much money due to his injuries. Double standard. I wish him well. He makes a space for some other star to be named in future. Don’t take it so hard, it just sport he is just a player in a few months or a year you won’t even miss him.
@gregkaos (Comment 232) : in 99% of cases I wouldn’t wish injury on anyone, but when it comes to some one who shows not only a complete lack of loyalty but also makes completely false statements, I certainly won’t lose any sleep if he does get injured, again.
Also if you were trying to say that I look like a selfish idiot, I fail to see what I benefit form this? He brought this on himself, I along with many other people are upset by it.
@coolfusion (Comment 233) : Did either of them make statements about how they owe their union, and both will and want to pay them back for the loyalty they showed them? All this just before leaving?
If so then no I won’t cheer them.
@Seth101 (Comment 235) : Dude I think you take this too personally, I might sound like an old man, but Pieter is still a child as far as I’m concerned. He will have a fee lapses in judgement before he becomes a real man. Cut him some slack we don’t want him if he doesn’t want to be here. This is the best solution.
@gregkaos (Comment 218) : @gregkaos (Comment 227) : My feelings exactly. Well put and 100% agreed.
@coolfusion (Comment 236) : I’m a year younger than him and would never do something like this.
All this aside, think most of us expected this for the last 2 or so weeks, Still think we have a pretty decent group of players for both CC 2015 and SR 2016. The wait is over, we know who we have and who we do not, now we can look forward to watching some rugby again!
@HeinF (Comment 239) : Agreed, whats done is done, lets move on and focus on the Sharks and our road forward.
@Seth101 (Comment 228) : Not a nice thing to say. Let’s wish him the best. Besides, the Stormers play a brand of rugby he can relate to. They have a very competent DOR so good things are bound to head that direction. We are in shit though….only a very good coach can get us out of this shit. Let’s get a kiwi in, build a winning culture that will enable us to attract the best talent.
@SharkED (Comment 240) : I am way more excited about the CC than the Rugby Championship. I just have this feeling this group is going to have a good season
Losing a big name player won’t derail our campaign; after all having a stack of them didn’t help us this year.
Having a unified team environment is far more important – so considering how badly he wants to go back to the Cape, his departure is also better for us.
Regarding Seth, cut the guy some slack. I’m sure he doesn’t really wish the guy ill – we all process things differently.
@Big Fish (Comment 243) : Of course not having him wont derail our campaign- he never played anyway. 3 games in last 2 years or something like that. I hope this opens the door to sign another lock tho…as we all know how our locks love to break down
@SheldonK (Comment 244) :
I’m with you on that. Phenomenal player when uninjured – but not uninjured often enough.
I wonder if the sharks will continue to fund his rehab now.
@Big Fish (Comment 245) : They’ll probably have to, as his Sharks contract is still until October.
@HeinF (Comment 242) : I’m a little bit guarded on how well we’ll do in the CC…im more interested in seeing a team environment being cultivated and a balanced gameplan being developed to take us forward, if i see that happening i’ll be happy 🙂 if the results come with it, ill be over the moon…
@SharkED (Comment 247) : Im with you on that. I dont think amazing results will come instantly. But what i do want to see is a change in approach, intensity and motivation. Especially on defense where the sharks were poor this year- no heart
I expect this cc to be dominated by the underdogs and teams who had a good VC , at least till mid series. Pumas griekwas kings etc.
@coolfusion (Comment 249) : kings didnt have a good VC 😛
I actually expect us to do well in the CC. Just have a feeling.
Good luck PSdT. Thanks for leaving. I don’t want any player sticking around if he doesn’t want to play for us with all his heart.
Not a good buy for the Stormers. He’ll play a few seasons (when he’s not injured) and then Eben and him will probably go to France together.
@Zibbie (Comment 250) : Ja but they are one of the underdog teams so that qualifies them. They usually go their guts out beginning off cc and run out of steam right after the middle.
@Seth101 (Comment 251) : Ja but I always feel better about doing well in cc after doing well in supers. Otherwise it feels like you’re only doing better cause the competitors are of a lower standard.
@coolfusion (Comment 254) : Yea but that doesn’t really matter to me because I am honestly more excited for the CC than the world cup.
Oh well, at least Djokovic beat Anderson. 😀
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 256) : The psdt of the tennis world? Or maybe the flip vd merwe?