I wonder how many of you will remember Siseko Jafta, the promising Sharks and Junior bok flanker who was forced to retire prematurely some years back due to a neck injury? Well, the good news is that the Sharks have looked after him and helped him forge an off-field career, culminating in today’s awesome news that he’s the new General Manager for the union’s amateur arm.
The full release from the Sharks is below. We’d like to congratulate Jafts on the promotion, as well as wish Pete Smith all the best for his well-deserved retirement. Pete, thanks for everything, meneer!
THE SHARKS MEDIA RELEASE
SISEKO JAFTA APPOINTED AS KZNRU GENERAL MANAGER
Durban, 25 October 2016: The KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union and The Sharks are delighted to announce the appointment of Siseko Jafta as General Manager of the KZNRU, effective from 1st January 2017. There have been some structural changes within the KZNRU, as both the amateur and professional bodies at the union have committed to closely aligning themselves to further strengthen and grow the game in KZN. Siseko takes over the reins from current KZNRU CEO, Pete Smith, who after close-on 25 years of loyal service, is retiring at the end December 2016.
Fondly known as Jafta, Siseko is a St Charles old boy, that was scouted and signed by The Sharks back in 2009, after representing South Africa at U/18 level. As an athletic loose-forward with great potential, he went on to represent The Sharks junior teams until a serious neck injury prematurely ended his promising rugby career in 2011.
Circumstances like the one Siseko encountered in 2011 can shatter dreams and leave a person demotivated, but not him. With a strong desire to succeed, he went on to study towards a BComm Degree and upon completion was employed by The Sharks in an admin role that saw him manage our junior teams as well as provide a mentorship role to young players entering the system. In 2016, he took over the administration relating to clubs in the province and has excelled.
Francois Louis, the President of the KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union said: “This appointment marks the dawn of a new and exciting era in KZN Rugby. In a short space of time Jafta has gained a good reputation amongst stakeholders and will bring strong leadership, a new and exciting approach, and ideas to add growth and value to the portfolio.
The Sharks CEO, Gary Teichmann, added: “Jafta is a very likeable person with an exceptional ability to think analytically and work under pressure. We are looking forward to the fresh ideas he will bring to the table and we will be there every step of the way to provide the necessary support and guidance he requires. On behalf of us all, I wish him the very best in his new role.”
Louis also acknowledged the massive role played by retiring CEO Pete Smith. “On behalf of The Sharks and the KZNRU, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Pete for his invaluable contribution and tireless efforts in administering the amateur game as well as his passion and efforts in ensuring that club rugby in KZN continues to grow.
“At the end of his tenure, he leaves the KZNRU in good stead and we salute him for the many years of dedication, commitment and service he has given to rugby in this province.”
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Great news that they are looking after okes like this who had to retire early.
Hmm interesting. Hopefully Teichman lends a mentoring hand. But good luck to the guy, definitely a very tricky job that.
Top bloke, very happy for him. My only concern is whether he has the adequate credentials/experience for the position? He has a BComm degree so I’m sure that will help, but the release doesn’t specify in which field. In any case, I’m sure Teich won’t appoint someone in which he doesn’t have trust.
Congrats and good luck Jafts and happy retirement to Pete!!!
Just hope he has the know how as I really don’t want a repeat of the whole JS thing of having a nice ex player without experience!!!
so the release hints at restructuring, but doesn’t go into detail. I think you can probably surmise, from the fact that they’re replacing a CEO with a General Manager, that this role will report directly into Teichmann. Jafta has not been appointed CEO – the Sharks have merged the amateur and professional arms under a single CEO and Jafta will be the guy to run the former division under Teichmann’s leadership.
@robdylan (Comment 5) : think it’s better like this as it will improve relationship of pro and armature rugby in KZN.
@robdylan (Comment 5) : cool. Rob, are there any Christmas presents coming our way in terms of signings? Yes, no, maybe?
@robdylan (Comment 5) : That is my understanding that everything will run under The Sharks Pty Ltd in order to avoid duplication of tasks and streamline things
Congrats to Siseko.
Cheers Pete, and thanks for your part in that Currie Cup win at Loftus in 1980. It was a monumental win for that light weight team against the Blue Bulls juggernaut.
This guy is 25 years old, he wasn’t born when Pete started doing the job.Just a reminder to all those who spilled vitriol here at the fact that John Smit had no managerial experience, this guy has less.
@The hound (Comment 10) : Beginners luck
I wish him all the best and hope that he can handle the responsibilities thrust upon him. As much as I like a young player forced to retire being retained and used by the union I hope this is the right call regarding his skill set and experience. Once again I put total confidence into Teichmann and if this was his call I am 100% satisfied with his decision.
@West Indies Cricket Board (Comment 7) : for sure. I think you’ll have to wait a week, though
@The hound (Comment 10) : no, this guy has more, because he’s actually been doing real work in rugby administration for the last 3 seasons. Smit had been doing nothing other than playing.
So Jafta has more experience and is being appointed to a significantly less senior role. I’m ok with that. Relative to the Smit fiasco, in any event.
@robdylan (Comment 14) : ironically, Smit could possibly do the job that Jafta now has and not be out of his depth. Possibly. Depending on how many people at the clubs he’s managed to piss off.
@robdylan (Comment 15) : That wouldnt leave much time for Smit’s family 😉
@robdylan (Comment 14) : So what exactly is he responsible for,
@robdylan (Comment 13) : ooh lekker
@robdylan (Comment 15) : think he might earn a bit less than JS did so he will at least be cheaper!?
@robdylan (Comment 13) : OK so next Tuesday!!! Will be counting the hours as I can’t wait!!!
@The hound (Comment 17) : Basically running club rugby in KZN
@robdylan (Comment 15) : Gary Gold fired and Rod Du Preez Head Coach and Director Of Rugby going forward – can you confirm?
@robdylan (Comment 13) : I played gold with Russell Winter on Saturday who informs me the Sharks are buying Rikus Bothma and Jacque Vermeulen. Jacque can play but Rikus? The oke can’t even make the u21 side, he was perplexed by the signing!
@Vonno13 (Comment 22) : Don’t build my hopes up.
@The hound (Comment 24) : He and Russel Winter were playing Gold on Saturday so maybe he has inside info…
@The hound (Comment 24) : @SheldonK (Comment 25) :
Obviously meant Golf, not Gold. Did not come from Russell, he just told me about the signings, comes from someone else who normally always has it spot on – but I just wanted to see if Rob perhaps knows.
@Vonno13 (Comment 26) : Would be a lot more interesting if you played Gold. 😎
@Vonno13 (Comment 22) : Don’t get my hopes up for nothing,I have had enough disappointment this year.
@The hound (Comment 28) : Gold to replace Proudfoot at the Boks 😉
@SheldonK (Comment 29) : Thats like replacing the deaf and dumb with the blind
@The hound (Comment 30) : Hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil
@The hound (Comment 28) : I am almost certain – I know Horak is now no longer coaching and is controlling recruitment, so it seems Teichman is putting his foot down and getting the house in order. Let’s see what happens.
@Vonno13 (Comment 32) : Wonder what the future of Everitt, Strudwick, Anthony and Loubcher are…
@SheldonK (Comment 33) : Not very good when you take into account that Pete Smith after 25 years gets replaced by a 24 year old.
Loubsher should be alright he’s a new appointment,and Everitt and Robert go way back to club rugby,Anthony is the one who must be worried he was a John Smit appointment ex school coach,Strudwick who knows and who cares.
You raise some interesting points there. Personally id like to retain Anthony and Loubsher. Think Everitt and Strudwick have shown that they dont contribute that much at this top level but are good at lower levels
@Vonno13 (Comment 23) : who is Rikus Bothma?
@robdylan (Comment 36) : some Paarl boertjie who played SA u20 and SA schools with JLDP and them,think he matriculated from Paarl Gym in 2014 and is now playing for WP. hes a deacent player,plays 8th man he is a little on the short side though maybe he must be converted to hooker?
@Vonno13 (Comment 22) : I cannot.
@schrodingers cat (Comment 37) : or 6?! But seems as if he injured his knee last year.
Seems there may be some management shuffling going on. I tend not to buy into the theories but where there’s smoke there’s usually fire.
Boom and there goes Gold
@Vonno13 (Comment 22) : Well you were spot on 😆
@robdylan (Comment 36) : SA Schools captain in 2013 – Captained WP U21 last year but has been riddled with injury since. Not a great signing if it is true
@Uli Boelie (Comment 42) : Has it been confirmed?
@Vonno13 (Comment 44) : Yip check the new thread
@Vonno13 (Comment 44) : @Uli Boelie (Comment 45) : He has chosen to explore other avenues…in other words the N2 south to CPT
@SheldonK (Comment 46) : Or a second hand car lot in Umgeni Road
@The hound (Comment 47) : Apparently like Smit he wants to be closer to home…