You have to give Sharks CEO John Smit one thing – he does like to keep us on our toes!
This morning’s rather unexpected and very interesting development is the addition of a 33rd member to the tour party, with East Coast Radio sports presenter Sky Tshabalala invited to join the team in France and actually play against Toulouse!
OH MY WORD!
Just got a call on air from @TheSharksZA CEO John Smit to go join the team in France , train with them and PLAY vs Toulouse!!
— Sky Tshabalala (@SkyTshabalala) February 2, 2016
Now, before getting too worked up, you need to bear in mind that Tshabalala is no mug when it comes to the game, having played at a high standard for many years, culminating in a stint for UKZN in the Varsity Shield a year or so ago. This move, I’d say, is mostly a goodwill-inspired publicity stunt, but hopefully not one that will risk any serious injury to Tshabalala, nor needlessly hamper Gary Gold and his team in their pre-season preparation.
In other news, Joe Pietersen has taken over the SharksRugby Instagram account for the duration of the tour and will be updating fans with unique behind-the-scenes snaps and videos while the team is in France. Follow that account and also look out for the #SharkFR hashtag on Instagram for pics from other players.
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Great marketing ploy! Hopefully he doesn’t get torn in half! Any idea where we can stream the game Friday night?
No better publicity than winning rugby. Mucking around now!
@JustPlainSHARK (Comment 2) : let’s just see how it plays out….. there’s no need to get too steamed up about it, it’s a minor thing.
hahaha id love to see him all mic’d up and get smoked…sorry just my kind of humour 🙂
Wasn’t he playing for the Impi this year as well, or he was playing in the top clubs in Durban this year. Most probably he will in any case just play like the last 5 minutes or so.
For anyone that thinks he will be broken, while sure he might not be at the skill level of a Super Rugby player, he is not small, and knows how to play rugby.
This is actually a very fun idea. I can see the logic behind the argument that we should of had home games instead of a tour, but nothing is more boring then a SA team vs a SA team, and I doubt there would have been many clubs interested in touring to Durban for a single game.
@KingRiaan (Comment 5) : exactly.
@robdylan (Comment 7) : haha he will probably get more time in a Shark jersey than Rudi Page got in a Springbok jersey.
What position does he play?
Rob any chance we might see you pull on the Sharks jersey for 5 minutes or so? 😉
@50shadesofshark (Comment 9) : Flank or Lock according to his twitter.
@50shadesofshark (Comment 9) : lock/flank
@Seth101 (Comment 10) : no. I will get broken. I’m a little oke
@robdylan (Comment 13) : Never stopped Shane Williams
@Seth101 (Comment 14) : ok, he is a little FAST oke who plays wing.
I am a little, old, slow oke with a dodgy elbow and bad knees who has only ever played in the forwards
@robdylan (Comment 13) : maybe GG can call you in as coach-for-a-day
@KingRiaan (Comment 16) : we’ll see
@robdylan (Comment 12) : @Seth101 (Comment 11) : thanks.
Well done, great PR! 😀
You folks know what would be amazing marketing? Getting a broadcaster involved in these two games.
@vanmartin (Comment 20) : That’s exactly right!!
ja well yes let’s see how it goes!!!!!!!!!!