Reports out of Durban this morning indicate that Leopards under 19 winger Zweli Silaule has opted to continue his career with the Sharks.
Silaule emerged as the joint top try scorer in this year’s ABSA under 19 competition, an impressive feat given that his team ended second last on the table. At 1.82m and a hefty 97kg, the former Barberton pupil should form a decent foil to Sbusiso Nkosi, with whom he has been friends since childhood.
With the Sharks junior ranks perhaps a little understocked in the “big fast wing” category, Silaule’s addition is to be welcomed, particularly given that he has two further years of junior eligibility. If he and Nkosi continue their try scoring exploits, though, we could see one or both making the jump to senior rugby before too much longer, though.
Welcome to the Sharks, Zweli!
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Cool acquisition…but can we try sign guys with easy to pronounce names? Just a thought…
Sorry guys but he is not from Standerton he is from Baberton. Should know because Qthon is from Standerton and played Puma rugby with him
@SheldonK (Comment 1) : it’s not hard.
Z-WHERE-lair See-LOU-lair
@Sonnie (Comment 2) : sorry, you are 1000% right. I should always double check my own research.
Will change it
He is definitely not from Standerton he is from Baberton. Should know because Qthon is from Standerton and played Puma rugby with him.
Will he be training with the superrugby pre-season squad?Any news re: rhyno smith?
He is from Barberton, as is Sibusiso Nkosi. I matriculated at Barberton High in 1984. Good to see some youngsters from there making a name for themselves
@KingCheetah (Comment 7) : hoping the sharks have unearthed two gold nuggets,then.
@robdylan (Comment 3) : hahaha Ben Smith is a lot easier to pronounce 😉
@robdylan: any news re: who the sharks have signed at u19s level?other than curwin bosch.would be much appreciated!
Allthough the Sharks have infact contracted a player from Standerton centre/wing Nvundo Nlovo (not sure of the spelling) Great player. Craven week for 2 years as well as Sa schools 7’s
@Sonnie (Comment 11) : u19s?
@comment 12
Yes u/19
Good stuff. Happy about this.
Nice one!
All these great signings — tooooo exciting!
By the way Rob, your Super Rugby log is looking nice. It has me more excited than the competition itself has managed 😀
@50shadesofshark (Comment 10) : I think I did a piece on it a while back…. let me see if I can find it
@50shadesofshark (Comment 6) : Rhyno Smith is there. Trial only at this stage
mfundo kevin ndlovu 1.78m 74kg
@Den (Comment 16) : All this positive news, bar Planet, creates the impression the current leadership are actually working fir the better of the union.
Keep it up!
@robdylan (Comment 19) : thanks!
@50shadesofshark (Comment 22) : actually, seems I meant to write it but never actually did 😳
@robdylan (Comment 19) : With RdP I am pretty sure he will turn out better than the previous Leopards fullback prodigy we had…
Really think he will great addition to squad. With V Tonder gone we need more 15 cover…
@robdylan (Comment 23) : does this mean another article? 😀
in this regard i see the Sharks and the leopards will be together as a super rugby francies
@50shadesofshark (Comment 25) : well, maybe. Asked the Sharks for an official list, so will see how long that takes
@vanmartin (Comment 17) : thanks! Even built myself a quick ‘Droid app to update the log
@robdylan (Comment 27) : thanks,hope they answer asap.
@50shadesofshark (Comment 29) : sniggering quietly to myself at the misplaced optimism, but yes, I hope so too 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 30) : yes, completely forgot how long it took for the actual announcement re: a new signing 😀
@robdylan (Comment 27) : the following 5 players received sharks academy bursaries at the 2015 kearsney rugby festival : nico pyper (eg jansen) hooker, jordan chait (sacs) fly-half, heinrich nieuwenhuizen (selborne college) flank, jaydon morgan (glenwood) fullback, khuthazani mchunu (glenwood) prop.
@50shadesofshark (Comment 32) : Doesnt mean that all accepted them though…some dont.
@SheldonK (Comment 33) : I think one of those guys is coming to the Sharks.
@robdylan (Comment 34) : Well its kinda silly if those Sharks academy bursaries are for say varsity college which then means the guys dont qualify for varsity shield side. Perhaps a little rethink on the structuring of those bursaries given away at kearsney festival is needed
@SheldonK (Comment 35) : Probably the main reason why the Sharks need UKZN to compete in the Varsity Cup….which will give the Sharks far more pull when trying to contract junior players – a University bursary will sure add a ton more incentive.
Btw…who will be coaching UKZN next year, with Strucdwick now being part of the Sharks SR team?
The following bit of info is a copy-paste job courtesy of the official Sharks Academy website ww.sharksacademy.com :
Criteria for the Best Rugby Students For First, Second and Third Year
This player has excelled in the rugby course by transferring the techniques learned into the skills needed to perform in games. He is a very committed student with outstanding attendance and great attitude at Rugby sessions.
Â
Best First Year Rugby Student
Sibusiso Nkosi
@ FireTheLooser (Comment 36) : Yeh having a Varsity Cup team would be a big step. But then the bursaries they give need to be for that varsity. Not sure who will coach as yeh Strudwick a bit busy.
@SheldonK (Comment 38) : Look having a varsity would be a bigger step,what talented young guy who can get into UCT Stellies or Tuks is going to give it up for UKZN .
Guys make me laugh here when they talk of Rob du Preez(jnr} coming back to the Sharks,hes at Maties hopefully studying some thing useful,whats he going to do here give it up for Varsity College.
@The hound (Comment 39) : The way the Universities are currently going, Varsity College might be your best bet of actually writing exams and finishing your year. 😯
Rob, here is a small article for your info, if you already know about this fine if not translate and use lol.
Die Luiperds en die NWU-Puk het nuwe SuperRugby-bedmaats in die Sharks.
Die president van die Luiperds, André May, het by die Unie se jaarvergadering aangekondig dat hulle ‘n ooreenkoms met die Sharks gesluit het.
Die Luiperds was die afgelope klompie jaar in ‘n verhouding met die Leeus en vroeër met die Bulls.
Die Bulls het ook ‘n hand na die Luiperds uitgereik maar daar blyk ‘n nouer samewerkingsooreenkoms met die Sharks te wees.
Daar sal veral op spelersvlak ‘n vennootskap wees met twee Luiperd- en Puksterre, Johan Deysel en Rhyno Smith wie reeds in Durban oefen.
Jong Sharks wat wil Varsitybekerugby speel kan hulle ook binnekort by die Puk aansluit terwyl daar ook beter samewerking op junior vlak sal geskied.
@sharks_lover (Comment 41) : that is great news!now the opportunity for varsity cup rugby is there.what is the name of that 2.06m pukke lock ?
@sharks_lover (Comment 41) : so the lions could draw players from both the pumas and the leopards?
@sharks_lover (Comment 41) : some very good news indeed!
@50shadesofshark (Comment 42) : @50shadesofshark (Comment 43) : Yes they do.
@sharks_lover (Comment 45) : do or did?re: sharks/leopards agreement?
@50shadesofshark (Comment 46) : Actually they the Lions and Bulls did, it seems to not be the case anymore.
@sharks_lover (Comment 47) : thanks for the info.
More Kings players moving to Pretoria. Luther Obi will join them on Wednesday. Wish we could at least get Agaba to assist Ginger with the load.
@sharks_lover (Comment 41) : very interesting indeed!!!!
@The hound (Comment 39) : I definitely cannot argue with u there. And with the serious flyhalf shortage in CPT they will be chaining Rob jnr to table mountain- he isnt going anywhere.
@KingCheetah (Comment 7) : Cheetah, where are you?