Herewith the Cell C Sharks Super Rugby players expected to take part in the 2014 Super Rugby season, as detailed by us PRIOR to the 2014 Super Rugby season.
Some of these players might not actually make the Super Rugby squad, but at this early juncture is most likely to be in the Cell C Sharks plans for 2014.
Props:
Name: Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira:
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Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira is a Zimbabwean-born South African rugby union player, is fondly known by friends and fans as “The Beast”. Roars of “Beast” are shouted by spectators and fans of the Natal Sharks team whenever Mtawarira attains possession of the ball or makes a big tackle.
He completed his schooling at Peter House in Marondera, Zimbabwe after which he was accepted into the Sharks academy in Durban, where he started to play loosehead prop as he had played in the looseforward position at school.
He is a strong scrummager with great technique as well as a powerful ball-carrier. He made his Test debut against Wales at the start of the 2008 season and was a cornerstone of the Bok scrum when they won the series against the British & Irish Lions in 2009. Because of injuries he missed the start of The Sharks’ season in 2012, but since his return he has been a rock in their pack, as well as for the Springboks. Unfortunately he missed the three Tests in November 2012 because of illness.
He also missed a portion of 2013 with the same heart ailment but came back strongly in the Rugby Championhip and End Of Year Tour for the Springboks to keep and cement is starting role for the Springboks at loosehead prop.
Name: Jannie du Plessis:
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Jannie has been a real stalwart for the Sharks in the last few years as Tightheads of international standard have been hard to come by. He started his rugby career in the Free State where he was captain of the Eastern Free State Craven Week team in 1995 and then represented the Free State at under 18 and 19 level.
He studied medicine at the University of the Free State and became a qualified doctor, making him one of the few players in the professional era of rugby union to have a career outside of the sport whilst playing professionally. He then went on to make the Free State senior team in 2003 and continued playing for the Cheetahs through the 2007 Currie Cup. Du Plessis was also named to a South African squad that faced a World XV at Ellis Park in 2006.
He was selected for the Springbok squad for the first time during the 2007 Tri-Nations, making his debut in the starting XV on 7 July against Australia during the Boks’ home leg. The match was significant for him in another way, as his younger brother, Bismarck, made his Springbok debut as a substitute in the same match while he was still on the field. This made the Du Plessis brothers the 23rd set of brothers to earn Springbok colours.
Jannie du Plessis in 2008 made his move to the Sharks where he currently still applies his trade as a professional rugby player and has represented the Sharks in all competitions on 103 occasions and has probably been at his best this past year where even having played a total of 36 matches for the year, inbetween where possible he also still performs his duties as a medical doctor. Very few people give this man credit for what he has and still achieves.
This is the kind of man doctor Jannie Du Plessis is – he received an unexpected opportunity to use his medical skills in the wake of a 2009 tragedy. In the early morning hours of 29 March, Brumbies lock Shawn Mackay was hit by a car outside a Durban nightclub, suffering a paralyzing injury. Du Plessis was at the scene because he was helping Brumbies players get back to their hotel after their match with the Sharks. He helped Mackay breathe and contacted emergency services, who stabilized him and rushed him to a hospital. However, despite all medical efforts, Mackay would die from complications of his injuries several days later.
In 2013 he was heavily overplayed, as a result of which his general enthusiasm in a game, his defence and lack of high work-rate in a game situation is starting to count against him, however he is still the preferred choice as Springbok tighthead prop. Players like Lourens Adriaanse (now also at the Sharks) and Frans Malherbe of the Stormers will be pushing Jannie hard for a starting berth at the Springboks in 2014.
Name: Lourens Adriaanse:
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Lourens Adriaanse was born in Cape Town and played in the Western Province youth teams. He represented Maties in the Varsity Cup in 2009 and 2010, before moving to the Griquas for the 2011 season. His domestic performances saw a quick elevation to the Cheetahs Super Rugby team and he debuted in a match against the Reds in Brisbane.
He joined the Sharks for the start of the 2014 season.
Adriaanse was called up to the Springbok squad for the 2013 June International Tests against Italy, Scotland and Samoa, but he didn’t play in any of the matches. He finally made his Springbok debut in a test against France on 23 November 2013 in Paris.
Lourens Adriaanse should get plenty of game time in 2014 under Jake White’s Sharks, in a squad with massive depth. He will want to stamp his authority at Sharks tighthead and will definately be a contender for Springbok honours in 2014.
Name: Wiehahn Herbst:
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He represented the following sides:
- Leopards U18 Craven Week 2005 & 2006, SA Schools 2006
- Leopards U19 2006
- Elite U18 2007, SA U19 Trials 2007, Natal U19 2007
- SA U20 Trials 2008, Varsity Cup 2008, SA U20 to IRB Junior World Championships in Wales 2008
- Sharks U21
- The Sharks in Vodacom Cup, Currie Cup & Super Rugby
Wiehahn is a hard working tighthead prop, who can also pack down at loosehead and during 2013 some wanted him to be pulled up for higher honours as backup for Jannie du Plessis at the Springboks. He took part in the extended Springbok training squads but with Lourens Adriaanse now also at the Sharks, his chances of national honours has waned and he should get less game time than in 2013.
Name: Dale Chadwick:
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Dale Chadwick plays loosehead prop and should be backup to Beast Mtawarira.
He has played for the following sides:
- 2005 – Natal U16 Grant Khomo Week
- 2007 – Kwazulu Natal U/18 Coca-Cola Craven Week, SA Schools
- 2008 – Sharks U19
- 2009 till present – The Sharks in the Vodacom Cup, Currie Cup and Super Rugby
Dale does not realistically stand a chance at National honours in 2014 or soon thereafter.
Starters:
The Sharks are virtually assured to start with their two frontline props, Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira and Jannie du Plessis but expect Lourens Adriaanse to rotate regularly at thighthead with Jannie du Plessis and with Wiehahn Herbst and possibly Dale Chadwick to get game time too.
The Sharks have awesome depth in most positions, probably the best depth of ALl Super Rugby sides and there is no reason why the Sharks scrum, with these props anchoring their scrum should not be one of the best in the Competition.
Having 2 first choice Springbok props PLUS a Springbok tighthead tourist of 2013 in their midst, sounds a warning to all front rows of other franchises. A Player like Jannie du Plessis will have to get more active and successful on defence and in the tackling department, otherwise this season could be one of his last at top level.
Hookers:
Name: Bismarck du Plessis:
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A product of the famous Grey College in Bloemfontein, alongside teammates Ruan Pienaar, Andries Strauss, Jannie du Plessis and Francois Steyn, hooker Bismarck du Plessis has risen to prominence as one of the toughest hookers in the world. A dedicated and committed player who is a sure pick at the Sharks and Springboks.
Bismarck briefly represented the Free State Cheetahs in 2003 before moving to the harks, where he has amassed 42 Provincial caps, 103 Super Rugby caps and 57 Springbok caps.
Bismarck du Plessis made his debut for the Sharks in Super Rugby (then the Super 12) in 2005. As he plays hooker and played in the same team as South Africa’s past captain, John Smit, for much of his career he had been a backup to Smit, however this changed when Smit moved to tighthead prop. Before Smit’s change of position, Du Plessis nonetheless played in Super Rugby and the Currie Cup whenever Smit was unavailable, and in 2007 was selected to play for South Africa in the Tri Nations Series. He made his debut for South Africa as a substitute in the same game against Australia in Sydney in which his older brother, Jannie, who was in the starting XV, also made his Springboks debut. The Du Plessis brothers became the 23rd set of brothers to earn caps for South Africa at rugby union.
Following an illness to Pierre Spies, Bismarck du Plessis was called into South Africa’s squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup and his brother Jannie was a later addition to the squad, replacing BJ Botha, who injured a knee in South Africa’s final pool match against the USA.
During the 2008 end-of-year Test series, the Springboks moved Smit to tighthead in order to accommodate both him and the younger, faster Du Plessis in the front row together. This change continued through the 2009 Super 14 season and into the Boks’ 2009 Test season.
After South Africa’s second game of the 2008 Tri Nations Series, against New Zealand, Du Plessis was cited for an eye-gouge on New Zealand’s Adam Thomson. At the subsequent disciplinary hearing, which was the first of his career, the judicial officer found that his action had been “careless”, not deliberate, and imposed a three-week suspension, a significantly lower penalty than the three-to-six months’ suspensions routinely imposed for deliberate eye-gouging.
In 2012 Du Plessis was selected for the 2011 Rugby World Cup along with his brother Jannie. He came off the bench against Wales in which South Africa won 17-16. He then won a man of the match performance in June 2012 against England which the Boks won 22-17. He also scored a try in the second test which the springboks won 36-27 thanks to a late try from right winger JP Pietersen.
Red Card Controversy – During the 4th round of the 2013 Rugby Championship at Eden Park, Auckland, referee Romain Poite yellow-carded Du Plessis for what he deemed was an illegal tackle on New Zealand fly-half, Dan Carter. He and the IRB later admitted he made an error in carding Du Plessis. Du Plessis received another yellow card in the game after “an elbow to the throat” of New Zealand flanker Liam Messam, and thus Poite issued a red card. This red card was later overturned by the IRB and struck from Du Plessis’ record.
Name: Kyle Cooper:
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Kyle is a product from Natal and attended Glenwood High. He has the following playing career:
- 2002 – EP Under 13
- 2005 – Sharks U16 Coca Cola Grant Khomo Week
- 2008 – Sharks Under 19 Competition
- 2009 – South Africa IRB Junior World Championships, Sharks Under 21 Competition
- 2010 – Sharks Vodacom Cup, Currie Cup Friendlies, Under 21 Competition, Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2011 – Sharks Vodacom Cup, Currie Cup Friendlies, Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2012 – Sharks Vodacom Cup, Sharks Super Rugby, Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2013 – Sharks Super Rugby, Currie Cup Premier Division
Kyle has now already played in 66 Provincial games for the Sharks (scored 25 points) and 17 Super Rugby games (scored 5 points).
In 2013 Kyle had a very good season and has ensured that he became a regular in the Sharks match day squad.
He will not let a Super Rugby side down and was pure quality in 2013.
Name: Monde Sakhile “Monde” Hadebe:
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Monde attended Westville Boys’ High School and has grown up in the Sharks youth teams.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2006 – Natal U16 Coca Cola Grant Khomo Week
- 2007 – KZN U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week
- 2008 – Under 18 Elite Squads, KZN U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week
- 2009 – Sharks ABSA Under 19 Competition
- 2010 – Sharks ABSA Under 21 Competition, South Africa IRB Junior World Championship
- 2011 – Sharks Vodacom Cup, Under 21 Competition, Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2012 – Sharks Vodacom Cup, made Super Rugby squad, Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2013 – Sharks Vodacom Cup, made Super Rugby squad, Currie Cup Premier Division
With depth in Super Rugby squads more and more important and rotation becoming a necessity rather than a luxury, we might see Monde get some game time in Super Rugby, specially since Craig Burden has left for overseas and will not feature.
Starters:
The Sharks are virtually assured to start with Bismarck du Plessis, with Kyle Cooper on the bench. In a rotational setup or in case of injury to Bismarck du Plessis, Kyle might even get some starts in Super Rugby in 2014.
Locks:
Name: Pieter-Steph du Toit:
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Pieter-Steph du Toit is the grandson of Piet “Spiere” du Toit (Springbok prop between 1956 to 1961) and a product of Riebeeck Kasteel Primary School and Swartland High School.
Du Toit was a member of the South Africa Under 20 team that won the 2012 IRB Junior World Championship.
In July 2013, he signed a two-year contract extension with the Sharks.
He made his Springbok Test debut versus Wales in Cardiff on 9 November 2013 at age 21.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2010 – Boland – U18 Craven Week, South Africa – SA U18 High Performance
- 2011 – Sharks – ABSA Under 19 Competition, Sharks – ABSA Under 21 Competition
- 2012 – Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, South Africa – IRB Junior World Championship, Sharks – ABSA Under 21 Competition, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2013 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Springbok squad member – Castle Lager Incoming Series, Springbok squad member – The Rugby Championship, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – Castle Lager Outgoing Tour
A lot is expected from Pieter-Steph du Toit in 2014, not only as a prime Sharks Super Rugby lock, but also as a Springbok. He will be one to watch keenly as he continues his upward curve.
Name: Marco Wentzel:
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Marco Wentzel is a true journeyman and rugby mercenary and it might have been easier to note which teams and clubs he has not played for compared to those he played for.
After leaving Wasps after the 2012–13 Premiership season, he returned to South Africa and signed a two-year contract to play for the Natal Sharks domestically and for the Cell C Sharks in Super Rugby.
Marco Wentzel arrived at Leicester from Italian club Benetton Treviso in the summer of 2007, made his debut on the opening day of the season in the victory at Bristol and was an almost ever-present in the first half of the Guinness Premiership season. He suffered an ankle injury in the league win at Gloucester but returned in time to return to Kingsholm in the play-offs and ended his first season in England with an appearance in the Guinness Premiership Final at Twickenham.
Marco played Currie Cup rugby with Boland Cavaliers and gained Super 12 experience with the the Cats, winning Test caps with South Africa against Scotland and France during 2002. He also spent three seasons in Italy, gaining Heineken Cup experience in each season.
His playing career is shortly as follows:
- 1999 – SWD Eagles
- 2000 to 2002 – Pumas
- 2002 – Springboks (2 Tests)
- 2003 – Cats Super Rugby
- 2003 to 2004 – Free State Cheetahs, Cats Super Rugby
- 2005 to 2007 – Treviso
- 2006 – Boland
- 2007 to 2009 – Leicester
- 2009 – Southern Kings
- 2009 to 2011 Leeds
- 2011 to 2013 – Wasps
- 2013 – The Sharks
Quite frankly, at age 34 he must be reaching the end of his career and I would think that he will be usurped by younger players at the Cell C Sharks in 2014.
Name: Etienne Oosthuizen:
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Etienne is a product of Vastrap Primary School and Bergsig Academy.
In September 2012, he signed a contract to join the Brumbies on a two-year deal. However, he was released from his contract after just one year and returned to South Africa to join the Sharks on a two-year contract.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2008 – SA – Under 16 Elite Squad, Leopards – U16 Coca-Cola Grant Khomo Week
- 2010 – Leopards – U18 Craven Week, South Africa – SA U18 High Performance
- 2011 – Lions – ABSA Under 19 Competition
- 2012 – MTN Lions – Vodacom Super Rugby, MTN Golden Lions – Vodacom Cup, MTN Golden Lions – ABSA Under 21 Competition, MTN Golden Lions – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2013 – Brumbies – Vodacom Super Rugby
Having been at the Brumbies in 2013 with Jake White, he might get some Super Rugby time in 2014, not that he amounted to much whilst at the Brumbies. He is just another player with hardly a chance for national honours.
Name: Anton Bresler:
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Anton is a product of Werda Primary school and Durban High School
He is a true Sharks home grown player, having only represented the Natal side from junior level up.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2006 – Natal – U18 Academy Week
- 2007 – Sharks – ABSA Under 19 Competition
- 2008 – Sharks – ABSA Under 21 Competition
- 2009 – Sharks – ABSA Under 21 Competition
- 2010 – Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, Sharks Invitational XV – ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2011 – Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Sharks XV – ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory friendlies, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2012 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2013 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
Anton Bresler should be one of the frontline locks for the Cell C Sharks in their Super Rugby campaign in 2014.
Name: Edwin Lesley “Edwin” Hewitt:
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Edwin is a product of Afrikaans Hoër Seunsskool & North-West University.
He spent his junior career at the Leopards but has also had stints with Griquas and the SWD Eagles.
He joined the Natal Sharks in 2013, initially for a trial period, but then signed a two-year contract with the Sharks.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2007 – Leopards – ABSA Under 19 Competition
- 2008 – Platinum Leopards – ABSA Under 21 Competition
- 2010 – Pukke – Varsity Cup, GWK Griquas – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2011 – GWK Griquas – Vodacom Cup, SWD Eagles – ABSA Currie Cup First Division, GWK Griquas – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2012 – GWK Griquas – Vodacom Cup, GWK Griquas – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2013 – GWK Griquas – Vodacom Cup, Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
Starters:
The Sharks are assured to start with Pieter-Steph du Toit for most of the Super rugby season (barring injury) and Anton Bresler will also get some prime Super Rugby game time but in a competition where the Cell C Sharks believe heavily in rotation, the other 3 players should all get some Super Rugby game time in 2014.
Loose Forwards:
Name: Marcell Cornelius “Marcell” Coetzee:
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Marcell Coetzee is a product of South-Natal Primary School, Port Natal High School and the Sharks Academy.
He can play anywhere in the back row, was one of the finds of the 2012 season and underlined his massive potential by playing a role in each of the 12 Tests during that season. This versatile loose forward is a home grown product of Natal and after some impressive performances for The Sharks in the Absa Currie Cup in 2011, the young Coetzee was highly sought after by a number of other Unions in South Africa. He decided to remain in Durban, excelled in Vodacom Super Rugby for the Sharks as they went all the way to the Final, where they lost to the Chiefs.
Coetzee made his debut in Super Rugby for the Sharks against the Brumbies on Saturday 7 May 2011. He has offloading skills that have been likened to those of Sonny Bill Williams. Heyneke Meyer, Springbok coach, included him in the national squad to face England in a test series where Coetzee made his Springbok test debut on 9 June 2012 in Durban.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2010 – Sharks – ABSA Under 19 Competition
- 2011 – Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Sharks XV – ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory friendlies, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Sharks – ABSA Under 21 Competition
- 2012 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Springboks – Castle Incoming Tours, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – The Rugby Championship, Springboks – Castle Outgoing Tours
- 2013 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Springboks – Castle Incoming Tours, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – The Rugby Championship, Springboks – Castle Outgoing Tours
Marcell is probably rated as the prime Openside Flank at the Sharks and should get regular starts.
Name: Willem Schalk “Willem” Alberts:
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Willem Alberts is a product of Muldersdrift Primary School, Monument High School and University of Pretoria (Tuks).
He made his professional debut for the Golden Lions in 2007. In that same year he was awarded his debut in the Super 14, playing against the Waratahs. He moved to the Sharks in 2010. In October 2010, Willem was selected to the Springbok squad of 39 players to prepare for the November tour of Europe.
He is known for his punishing runs (often requiring more than one tackler to stop him) and his rock solid defence. Due to his colossal mass (120 kg) Alberts’ bruising runs and bone-crunching tackling, that often constitute “big hits”, have made him a crowd favorite and earned him a large following.
During the 2010 Currie Cup semi-final against the Vodacom Blue Bulls Alberts was awarded “Man-of-the-Match” after he put in a solid performance consisting of 21 ball carries gaining 144 metres. It is after a string of monumental performances for the Sharks that Alberts was named as part of the Springbok squad ahead of the 2010 Northern Hemisphere grand slam tour.
Alberts made his debut for South Africa off the bench on 13 November 2010 and scored a try against Wales. Many believe that Alberts’ impact was so great off the bench that he alone swung the game in the Boks favor and pulled them through.
He won his second Springbok cap against Scotland, when he once again came on off the bench and scored a powerful try after plucking the ball from the air in a line out and driving over the whitewash. However, his exploits were not enough and the Boks lost the game.
His third cap came the following weekend against England at Twickenham. Alberts would come onto the field once more in the number 19 jersey and would score another try, this time in the corner which buried the English side and Alberts was branded “Super Sub”.
Willem Alberts made his run on debut against the Barbarians at Twickenham in the unfamiliar open side flanker berth. Although he did not score a try the test did not count as an official cap and Alberts returned to South Africa with a 100% try scoring record on his debut tour.
Alberts played in all 18 of the Sharks matches in the 2011 Super Rugby season. He won his first “Man-of-the-Match” award in the Super Rugby competition for the Sharks for his performance against the Cheetahs. He also scored his first Super Rugby try for the Sharks against the Western Force in a bonus point win for the Sharks. He went on to score another try against the Crusaders in a historic match held at Twickenham. He won another man of the match award against the Lions, making an impressive 18 ball carries. Alberts is the Sharks’ leading tackler in their 2011 Super Rugby campaign with an average of 10 tackles per match and is the third highest in the entire tournament with 58. Against the Hurricanes he made an imperious 23 tackles, and in such form has made him a big name in South African rugby.
Alberts made his starting capped debut for the Springboks against the All Blacks in Port Elizabeth on 10 August 2011 in the number 7 jersey. Alberts showed his grunt with 13 tackles and bruised his way into Peter de Villiers’ World Cup plans.
Alberts started against England which South Africa won 22-17. He also scored a try in the 2nd Test which South Africa won 36-27. The Springboks wrapped up the series in that win. He was injured and out for the final Test which South Africa held to a 14-14 draw against England. Potgieter replaced Alberts at blindside flanker. Alberts has a good future after South Africa won the series against England in which Alberts was a big performer.
The Year 2013 was also a stellar year for Alberts, who together with Duane Vermeulen, tackled the opposition senseless for the Springboks.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2004 – Golden Lions – ABSA U20 Competition Section A
- 2005 – Golden Lions – Vodacom Cup, Lions – ABSA Currie Cup Qualifying Round, Golden Lions – ABSA Under 21 Competition
- 2006 – UJ – National Club Championships
- 2007 – Lions – Vodacom Super 14, Golden Lions – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Golden Lions XV – ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies
- 2008 – Auto & General Lions – Vodacom Super 14, Xerox Lions – ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies, Xerox Lions – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2009 – Lions – MTN test, Auto & General Lions – Vodacom Super 14, Xerox Golden Lions – British & Irish Lions Tour, Xerox Lions – ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies, Xerox Lions – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2010 – Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – Outgoing Tours
- 2011 – Springboks – Castle Tri Nations, Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – IRB Rugby World Cup
- 2012 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Springboks – Castle Incoming Tours, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – The Rugby Championship, Springboks – Castle Outgoing Tours
- 2013 – Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Springboks – Castle Incoming Series, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – The Rugby Championship, Springboks – Castle Outgoing Tours
If Willem has one failing, it is that he is a bit injury prone, but with the amount of work and bone-crunching tackles he puts in, it is not surprising.
Name: Keegan Rhys “Keegan” Daniel:
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Keegan is a product of Gonubie Primary School, Dale College (King William’s Town and the sharks Academy.
He was born in the rural farming town of Humansdorp, Daniel started his education at Gonubie Primary before moving off to one of South Africa’s best known rugby nurseries, Dale College Boy’s High School.
Daniel played Craven Week for the Border rugby team in 2003 and was recruited afterwards by the Natal Rugby Academy.
Daniel came onto the provincial scene in the Super Rugby competition which earned him a place in the South African under 21 team. Daniel played well in the tournament with the South African under 21 team at the IRB u21 World Cup in France where South Africa lost in the final. He was nominated for player of the tournament and went on to claim the South African u21 player of the year for 2006. He has the ability to play flanker, wing, fly-half and fullback because of his blistering speed and good kicking ability.
Since then, Daniel has starred for the Sharks at Super Rugby level. In the 2008 season he earned man of the match awards in consecutive games against 2007 winners the Vodacom Blue Bulls and the high-flying Auckland Blues, scoring 3 tries in the process. His first try against the Blues came after just 16 seconds in the game – a record at Super 14 level.
On 30 October, Keegan was selected to tour with the Springboks in their November tour of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. He was not selected as a part of the initial squad of 39 but was later added after his performances in the Currie Cup semi-final and final.
On the 16th of Janiuary 2012, Sharks’ coach John Plumtree appointed Daniel Sharks captain for the 2012 Super XV season. Bismarck du Plesis who was widely anticipated to be appointed captain was made vice captain.
Twice a Currie Cup winner with the Natal Sharks in 2008 and 2010, Daniel played his 100th Currie Cup game against the Blue Bulls on 4 October 2013.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2005 – Natal – ABSA Under 21 Competition
- 2006 – KZN – ABSA Under 21 Competition, Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, Wildebeest – Vodacom Super 14odacom Cup, South Africa – IRB Under 21 World Championship, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2007 – Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, Wildebeest – Vodacom Cup, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2008 – Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2009 – Sharks – MTN test, Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, Sharks – British & Irish Lions Tour, Sharks Invitational XV – ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2010 – Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, Sharks Invitational XV – ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – Outgoing Tours
- 2011 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2012 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Springboks – Castle Incoming Tours, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – The Rugby Championship
- 2013 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
Keegan is a bit of an anomaly sometimes, often brilliant and sometimes plain poor but is a stalwart in the Sharks side and should get plenty of playing opportunity in Super Rugby.
Name: Louis Jacques “Jacques” Botes:
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Jacques Botes is a product of Anton van Wouw Primary School in Pretoria, Potchefstroom Gymnasium and University of Pretoria (Tuks).
He started his long career at the Pumas, from 2002 to 2004, whereafter he moved to Natal where he has been ever since. Jacues has played all sorts of provincial rugby but never cracked the not for the Springboks.
He is now the old man amongst the loose forwards but time still has not caught up to this hard-working openside flank.
During the 2013 Currie Cup Premier Division, he broke the record for the most number of Currie Cup appearances ever when he played in his 143rd match against Western Province.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2002 – Mpumalanga SA ‘A’ – SA Cup, Pumas -= Bankfin Currie Cup
- 2003 – @lantic Pumas – Vodacom Shield, @lantic Pumas – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2004 – Pumas – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2005 – Sharks Vodacom Super 12, Natal Wildebeest – Vodacom Cup, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Qualifying Round, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2006 – Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2007 – Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, Wildebeest – Vodacom Cup, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2008 – Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Divisionx
- 2009 – Sharks – MTN test, Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, Sharks – British & Irish Lions Tour, Emerging Springboks – British & Irish Lions Tour, Sharks Invitational XV – ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2010 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Sharks Invitational XV – ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2011 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2012 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2013 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
Jacques must be close to retirement age and I doubt he’ll get many starting spots in Super Rugby 2014, but he is still a wonderful candidate to have on the bench and always gives his all for his side, a true professional.
Name: Jean Roy “Jean” Deysel:
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Jean Deysel is a product of Virginia Primary School and Hentie Cilliers High School.
He started his rugby career at the Griffons, where he played Under 19 rugby, then moved to the Golden Lions where he played Under 20 rugby, Vodacom Cup, Under 21 for 2 years (2005 & 6) and gravitated to Currie Cup rugby in 2006.
Midway through 2007 he moved to the Sharks where he immediately played Currie Cup rugby.
Only in 2008 did he debut in super Rugby. In 2009 he had the opportunity to play for the Sharks and the Emerging Springboks against the touring British & Irish Lions before representing the Springboks on the Outgoing Tours in 2009. He made his Springbok Test debut on 21 November 2009 against Italy in Udine, aged 24.
He is of the strongest ball carriers in the South African game, Jean Deysel made his mark playing for The Sharks in the last number of seasons. He made his Bok debut at the end of 2009 against Italy in Udine and has played in a further three Tests for South Africa. Deysel is a versatile loose forward who is not only strong with ball in hand, but also on defence and at the breakdowns..
His playing career is as follows:
- 2002 – Griffons – U19 Competition
- 2004 – Golden Lions – ABSA U20 Competition Section A
- 2005 – Golden Lions – Vodacom Cup, Lions – ABSA Currie Cup Qualifying Round, Golden Lions – ABSA Under 21 Competition
- 2006 – Golden Lions – ABSA Under 21 Competition, Lions – Vodacom Cup, Golden Lions – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2007 – Golden Lions – Vodacom Cup, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Sharks XV – ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies
- 2008 – Sharks – Vodcom Super 14, Wildebeest – Vodacom Cup, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2009 – Sharks – MTN test, Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, Sharks – British & Irish Lions Tour, Emerging Springboks – British & Irish Lions Tour, Sharks Invitational XV – ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – Vodacom Outgoing Tours
- 2010 – Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2011 – Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Springboks – Castle Tri-Nations, The Sharks -ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2012 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2013 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
With a wealth of great Super Rugby loose forwards in the Cell C Sharks squad, I expect Jean Deysel to get limited game time, unless Willem Alberts gets rotated a lot or gets injured. Deysel is always a good option on the bench.
Name: Lubabalo Siphosethu “Tera” Mtembu:
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Tera is a product of Dale Junior and Dale College.
He came through the Border junior ranks where he represented Border at the Under 18 Craven Week in 2008 and then also represented South Africa in the Under 18 Elite Squad.
In 2009 he represented Border at Under 19 and Under 21 level.
In 2010 he represented South Africa at the IRB Junior World Championships, the Sharks at Under 21 level and was chosen to represent the Blitzbokke in the Dubai tournament.
In 2011 he made his senior debut for the Sharks XV in the Vodacom Cup and properly cut to the senior ranks by representing The Sharks in the Currie Cup Premier Division.
In 2012 he gravitated to Super Rugby for the Sharks and has now played in 7 Super Rugby games.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2008 – Border – U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week, South Africa – U18 Elite Squad
- 2009 – Border – ABSA Under 21 Competition, Border – ABSA Under 19 Competition
- 2010 – South Africa – IRB Junior World Championships, Sharks – ABSA Under 21 Competition, Blitzbokke – Dubai tournament
- 2011 – Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, Sharks XV – ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory friendlies, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Sharks – ABSA Under 21 Competition
- 2012 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2013 – Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
Tera is a wonderful talent to waste amongst the plethera of loose forwards at the Cell C Sharks.
Name: Ryan Kankowski:
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Ryan Kankowski is a product of Queens College Junior School and St Andrews College. His farther Tino, was a very able wing in his days, representing Eastern Province.
He is a tall, strong, yet pacey and skilled No 8. He is also capable of playing as an Openside Flanker. He has a natural flair on attack, breaking the line with powerful runs from the back of the scrum, whilst he is unrelenting on defense. He is also an incredibly dangerous runner in open play. His game is reminiscent of that of Zinzan Brooke and, with maturity and leadership qualities that belie his age.
Kankowski was first selected to represent South Africa during the Springboks 2007 end of year tour to Wales & England. He made a try-scoring test debut on the tour as a substitute during South Africa’s resounding 34–12 victory over Wales at the Millennium Stadium on 24 November 2007, crossing the line for his team’s 5th try as the Springboks got their reign as World Champions of to a winning start. Although possessing the undoubted skills and talent to be a regular international, he has faced stiff opposition from Pierre Spies and the controversial Luke Watson for the Bok No 8 jersey. And with the recent emergence of the young and talented Duane Vermeulen, there is set to be even more competition for the Bok No 8 jersey in the future. As a result, he has mostly been an impact player, with 13 of his 20 Test Caps coming as a substitute. His most productive year was in 2008, when he received multiple nominations for his performances at Super Rugby and provincial level and was subsequently rewarded by being part of the Springboks Incoming Tour, their Tri Nations squad and their end of year Outgoing Tour. He was also part of the Springbok squad selected to play 3 Tests against the British and Irish Lions on their tour of South Africa in 2009.
He received one of his nicknames, “Definite”, from his close friends as they believed he would definitely be a Springbok rugby player at some stage.
In June 2012, it was announced that he would join Japanese team Toyota Verblitz for six months. He would miss the 2012 Currie Cup Premier Division season with the Natal Sharks, but would return to the Sharks for the 2013 Super Rugby season and the same applies for the 2014 season.
Awards & Nominations:
- 2008 – SA Rugby Player of the Year nominee
- 2008 – Sasol Player of the Year nominee
- 2008 – Vodacom Super 14 South African Player of the Year
- 2008 – ABSA Currie Cup – Premier Division Player of the Year nominee
His playing career is as follows:
- 2004 – KZN – ABSA U20 Competition Section A
- 2005 – Natal – ABSA Under 21 Competition
- 2006 – Wildebeest – Vodacom Cup, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2007 – Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, Wildebeest – Vodacom Cup, SA Emerging – IRB Nations Cup, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – Vodacom Outgoing Tour
- 2008 – Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, Springboks – Vodacom Incoming Tours, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks -Vodacom Tri Nations, Springboks – Vodacom Outgoing Tour
- 2009 – Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, Springboks – British & Irish Lions Tour, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks -Vodacom Tri Nations, Springboks – Vodacom Outgoing Tours
- 2010 – Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, Springboks – Vodacom Incoming Tours Tour, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks -Vodacom Tri Nations, Springboks – Outgoing Tours
- 2011 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Springboks – Castle Tri Nations, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2012 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, Springboks – Castle Incoming Tours, Toyota Verblitz in Japan
- 2013 – Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, Sharks Vodacom Super Rugby, Toyota Verblitz in Japan
My guess is that Ryan Kankowski has been usurped by a lot of the loose forwards at the Sharks and will play a limited role at the Sharks in 2014.
Starters:
The Sharks will probably start with Marcell Coetzee (No 6 – Openside), Willem Alberts (No 7 Blindside) and Keegan Daniel (No 8) but there will be lots of rotation, with Jean Deysel, Jacques Botes, Tera Mtembu and even Ryan Kankowski getting enough game time. The Cell C Sharks have incredible depth at loose forward, as even Pieter-Steph du Toit could play at blindside flank.
The Sharks loose forwards are almost all very injury prone, specially Jean Deysel and Willem Alberts.
Scrumhalves:
Name: Charl McLeod:
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Charl McLeod is a product of Wonderboom Primary School and Wonderboom High School in Pretoria.
He is already 30 years old and made his senior debut for Western Province in the Vodacom Cup in 2005 whereafter he also played ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division rugby in 2006. In 2006 he played for Maties in the Club Championships.
In 2007 he moved to the Valke where he played Vodacom Cup and Currie Cup Premier Division rugby befor moving to the Lions where he also played Currie Cup Premier Division Rugby.
In 2008 he moved to the Sharks, where he still plies his trade and where he has represented them at Vodacom Cup, Super Rugby and Currie Cup Premier Division levels.
McLeod does the basics well and has a great pass, which saw him being called up to the Bok squad as an injury replacement on the end of year tour in 2010. On 18 November 2010, whilst the Springboks were already two matches into their November tour of Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England, Charl received the call to join the squad. After an extremely successful Currie Cup campaign where the Sharks were the deserved champions, many felt this was just reward.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2005 – Investec WP – Vodacom Cup, Investec WP – ABSA Currie Cup Qualifying Round
- 2006 – Vodacom WP – Vodacom Cup, Vodacom WP – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Maties – Fidentia National Club Championships
- 2007 – Lions – Vodacom Cup, Valke – ABSA Currie Cup Qualifiers, Valke – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Golden Lions – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Golden Lions XV – ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies
- 2008 – Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, Wildebeest – Vodacom Cup, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2009 – Sharks – MTN test, Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, Sharks – British & Irish Lions Tour, Sharks Invitational XV – ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2010 – Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, Sharks Invitational XV – ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – Outgoing Tours
- 2011 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Springboks – Castle Tri-Nations, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2012 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2013 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
Charl has been a Sharks stalwart for year but tends to go into dips in form from time to time and he will see some starting and bench positions at scrumhalf in 2014.
Name: Jacobus Meyer “Cobus” Reinach:
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Cobus Reinach is a product of Grey College Primary and Secondary Schools in Bloemfontein and the ETA Sharks Academy.
He is the son of the late Jaco Reinach, SA 400 m champion runner and Free State wing.
He played for Free State at the Under 18 Academy Week in 2008 before being snatched up by the Sharks where he started playing from 2009 till present. He has represented the Sharks at Under 19, Vodacom Cup, Currie Cup Premier Division and Under 21 levels and came close to the Springbok squad by being included in some of the Springbok training camps.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2008 – Free State – U18 Academy Weekx
- 2009 – Sharks – ABSA Under 19 Competition
- 2011 – Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, Sharks XV – ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Sharks – ABSA Under 21 Competition
- 2012 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2013 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Divisionx
Cobus has his ups and downs and competition will be strong between him and Charl McLeod for the starting berth at the Sharks in 2014.
Name: Stefan Ungerer:
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Stefan Ungerer is a product of Pelham Primary School, Maritzburgh College and studies Sport Management.
He represented the Natal Sharks at Under 13, Under 16, Under 19 and Under 21 level in various youth tournaments. In 2013, he was included in their Vodacom Cup squad and made his provincial first class debut in the 72–6 victory over the Border Bulldogs.
He was included in the training group that toured Argentina in preparation for the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship. He was then included in the squad for the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2006 – Natal – U13 Coca Cola Craven Week
- 2009 – KZN – U16 Grant Khomo Week
- 2010 – Sharks – ABSA Under 19 Competition
- 2011 – KZN – U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week, Sharks – ABSA Under 19 Competition
- 2012 – Sharks – ABSA Under 21 Competition, Sharks – ABSA Under 19 Competition
- 2013 – Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, South Africa – IRB Junior World Championship, The Sharks – ABSA Under 21 Competition, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
Whilst Ungerer is talented, he should only see game time off the bench in case of injury to Charl Mcleosd or Cobus Reinach.
Starters:
The Sharks will most probably rotate starting positions between Charl McLeod and Cobus Reinach with Charl McLeod getting most of the games.
Flyhalves:
Name: Patrick Lambie:
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Patrick Lambie is a product of Clifton Primary School (Durban) and Michaelhouse.
He is capable of playing flyhalf, centre and fullback, and was the leading points scorer in the 2009 ABSA Under 21 Currie Cup despite only turning 19 later that year. He represented South Africa at Under 20 level when he was selected for the squad, and was utilized extensively as the first choice fullback during the 2010 Under 20 World Cup in Argentina.
Lambie joined the Sharks senior team setup in the 2010 Super 14 season, where his debut was spent in the fullback position. He was shifted to centre in the 2010 Currie Cup and due to injury was required to fill the flyhalf birth. He was integral in helping the Sharks reach Currie Cup success in 2010, including scoring 2 tries, 3 conversions and 3 penalties in the Sharks’ 30-10 win over Western Province in the final and was awarded Man-of-the-Match. Lambie was also the second highest point scorer in the Currie Cup.
Lambie was called up to represent the Springboks during their 2010 tour to Ireland and the United Kingdom. He made his debut against Ireland on 6 November 2010 at flyhalf as a replacement for Morné Steyn. He also started against the Barbarians team on that tour at fullback. Lambie was Michaelhouse school’s first Springbok rugby player in their 115 year history.
Lambie was not a prodigious rugby player during his Clifton Preparatory school years, but he came into his own while attending Michaelhouse school. He played in the highest level teams in all of the Under 14, Under 15 and Under 16 age groups at Michaelhouse. He suffered an elbow injury in his 2006 year, which sidelined him for most of the season. In 2007 Lambie made the Michaelhouse first team as fullback and went on to play both KZN at Craven Week and SA Schools. In 2008 Lambie became headboy of Michaelhouse and was elected both first team rugby and cricket captain. In 2008 he once again made the KZN Craven Week and SA Schools sides. Lambie was both the KZN cricket and KZN Craven Week captain.
Lambie had a successful season in 2009 for the Sharks Under 21 team, where he played at fullback and scored a personal haul of 192 points in the competition and ended the season as the Under 21 Currie Cup top points scorer. He made 1 appearance for the Sharks senior side in the 2009 Currie Cup against the GWK Griquas at centre from the bench.
Lambie made his Super 14 debut for the Sharks against the Highlanders at fullback on 18 March 2010. He went on to start the next 7 consecutive games. Lambie then played for the South African Under 20 team in the 2010 IRB Junior World Championship in Argentina. He played fullback for all of the games and ended up as the tournament’s second top scorer (behind Tyler Bleyendaal). South Africa ended 3rd in the competition.
Lambie also took part in the 2010 Currie Cup Premier Division, first at fullback, then at centre and finally at flyhalf where he would remain for the rest of the campaign. Lambie scored 205 points in 16 games and ended up the second highest scorer (behind Willem de Waal) in the competition. He played in all The Sharks 16 games, coming off the bench in just 1 of them. In 2010 he played 24 matches for the Sharks, scoring a total of 215 points in all competitions for the Sharks. Lambie was awarded Man-of-the-Match after the Currie Cup final in which he played his part in the Sharks’ victory against the Western Province.
In 2011 he played in Super Rugby for the Sharks. H broke his finger in a match and was sidelined for the next 3 matches. He came back strongly from his injury and propelled the Sharks from their dismal form and then contributed to taking them to 6th place on the Super Rugby Log. He finished 4th on the point-scorers chart with 193 points, which included 4 tries in his first full season of Super Rugby. Lambie broke the Sharks record for most points scored in a season by an individual player. The Sharks made it to the Super Rugby play-off’s. His success and brilliant play in the Super Rugby season earned him a place in the preliminary Springbok squad for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
In 2011 he made 2 more appearances for the Springboks during the Tri-Nations and earned his first start at flyhalf on 30 July 2011 at flyhalf against the All Blacks.
During the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Patrick Lambie started in the fullback berth for all the group stage games and for the quarter-final match.
After returning to South Africa from the World Cup he played Currie Cup rugby.
In 2012 Lambie once again played Super Rugby. In the match against the Waratahs, Lambie injured his right hand which would put him out for 2 weeks and miss the matches against the Brumbies and Hurricanes. In the following 6 games after he returned from injury he scored 89 points in the 5 games he played, missing 1 match due to concussion. Lambie and the Sharks put in a strong run towards the final of the Super Rugby tournament with Lambie winning the Man-of-the-Match award against the Highlanders. Lambie would suffer from injury again however and miss the play-off match against the Reds and the semi-final against the Stormers but he returned to play against the Chiefs in the Final, the Sharks losing 37-6 to a strong Chiefs side. Lambie played 13 games during the 2012 Super Rugby season and he scored 141 points.
Lambie only played 3 matches during the 2012 Currie Cup Premier Division season, due to his international commitments for the Springboks, earning 2 Man-Of-The-Match awards. Lambie finished the Currie Cup campaign with 50 points in 3 games and was selected for the Springboks Northern Hemisphere tour at the end of the year.
Lambie’s all round play and his position of 5th on the super rugby point-scorer’s table got him selected for the Springbok squad for the 2012 England tour of South Africa. He took to the pitch at halftime with the score at 6-6 and helped the Springboks to a 22-17 victory over England. This was his 12th Springbok cap. He was selected as Springbok reserve fullback for The Rugby Championship in 2012, but was kept warming the bench in favour of the regular fullback, Zane Kirchner, during the 2 matches against Argentina in August 2012. On 6 October 2012 he played as reserve fullback (taking the field at the 64th minute) against the All Blacks at FNB Stadium, Soweto at the age of only 21. He was selected as Springbok flyhalf and goal kicker for the Outgoing Tour to Britain and Ireland during November 2012.
Lambie was recognised for his consistent and exceptional play in 2012 by being nominated for SARU Player of the year.
2013 Was not a good year for Lambie in general, off form for a large part of the Super Rugby season, yet still cracking the nod on the bench for the Springboks behind Morné Steyn and when getting on the pitch delivering but not to the extent his worshippers would like. He performed well for The Sharks in the Currie Cup final, which they won against DHL Western Province.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2007 – KZN – U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week, South Africa – SA Schools
- 2008 – South Africa – U18 Elite Squads, South Africa – SA Schools, KZN – U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week
- 2009 – Sharks Invitational XV – ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies, Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Sharks – ABSA Under 21 Competition
- 2010 – Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, South Africa – IRB Junior World Championships, Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – Outgoing Tours
- 2011 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Springboks – Castle Tri-Nations, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – IRB Rugby World Cup
- 2012 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Springboks – Castle Incoming Tours, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – The Rugby Championship, Springboks – Castle Outgoing Tours
- 2013 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Springboks – Castle Incoming Series, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – The Rugby Championship, Springboks – Castle Lager Outgoing Tour
As can be seen from the long description of Patrick Lambie’s feats, above, people love to discuss Lambie at lenght and he is one of the firm favourites of most Sharks supporters, who do not take kindly to critisism of Lambie. Thet said, he is favourite to get the starting berth at flyhalf at the Cell C Sharks under Jake White in 2014 .
Name: Frederik Johannes “Fred” Zeilinga:
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Fred Zeilinga is a product of Monument Primary School and Glenwood High School.
He represented the Natal Sharks at Under 13, Under 16, Under 18, Under 19 and Under 21 levels between 2005 and 2012.
In 2011, he made his senior debut for the Sharks XV in the Vodacom Cup competition in the season-opening game against the Blue Bulls. He missed a conversion 2 minutes after coming on, but did convert 1 ten minutes later to help his team to a 30–19 victory.
He made 3 more substitute appearances during 2011 and was promoted to first choice flyhalf for the Sharks XV during the 2012 Vodacom Cup competition, making a further 7 starts. He also finished as top scorer in the 2012 Under 21 Currie Cup, scoring 154 points in his 10 appearances.
He also took over the kicking duties during the 2013 Vodacom Cup competition, where he once again scored in excess of 100 points in the season.
He was included in the Sharks squad for their final match of the 2013 Super Rugby season against the Southern Kings. He appeared as a replacement to make his Super Rugby debut and also scored a try in a 58–13 victory.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2005 – KZN – U13 Coca Cola Craven Week
- 2008 – South Africa – U16 Elite Squads, KZN – U16 Coca-Cola Grant Khomo Week
- 2009 – KZN – U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week, Sharks – ABSA Under 19 Competition
- 2010 – KZN – U18 Craven Week, Sharks – ABSA Under 19 Competition
- 2011 – Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, Sharks – ABSA Under 21 Competition, Sharks – ABSA Under 19 Competition
- 2012 – Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, Sharks – ABSA Under 21 Competition
- 2013 – Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Sharks – ABSA Under 21 Competition, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
Fred really shined in some games for The Sharks in the Currie Cup Premier Division, before patrick Lambie returned from the Springboks and will at least be on the bench on match day in 2014.
Name: Johannes Petrus Jacobus “Hansie” Graaff:
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Hansie Graaff is a product of Mayville Primary School, Wonderboom High School, Tswane University of Technology (TUT), North-West University (Pukke) and University of Pretoria (Tuks).
He sprung to prominence playing for a struggling TUT Vikings side in the Varsity Cup between 2010 and 2012. He joined the Griffons in 2012, quickly establishing himself as a first team regular and making several appearances for them in the Vodacom Cup and Currie Cup competitions, ending the latter competition as the fourth top scorer.
He was then included in the final Cheetahs squad for the 2013 Super Rugby season, but failed to make any appearances for them.
He subsequently moved to the Natal Sharks for the 2013 Currie Cup Premier Division, but missed the entire competition through a knee injury. However, he was offered a contract extension with the Durban-based side until April 2014.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2010 – TUT – Varsity Cup
- 2011 – TUT – Varsity Cup
- 2012 – TUT – Varsity Cup, Griffons – Vodacom Cup, Griffons – ABSA Currie Cup First Division
- 2013 – Toyota Cheetahs – Lions Challenge, Down Touch Griffons – Vodacom Cup, Toyota Cheetahs squad member – Vodacom Super Rugby, Down Touch Griffons – ABSA Currie Cup First Division, The Sharks squad member – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
I think Hansie has huge talent and is just simmering to break through, most probably as a fullback, though.
Starters:
The Sharks will start with Patrick Lambie as primary flyhalf, but in a rotational system we should also see Fred Zeilinga start some games. Personally I would not be surprised if Fred Zeilinga pushes Lambie hard for the starting berth and if Patrick Lambie does not shape, Fred might overtake him.
Apart from these 2, there is still Hansie Graaf, although I expect him to get game time, if any, at fullback and not at flyhalf.
Young Robert du Preez is also on the fringes of Super Rugby squad selection at flyhalf.
Midfield:
Name: Francois Phillippus Lodewyk “Frans” Steyn:
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Frans Steyn is a product of Truida Kestell Primary School in Bethlehem and Grey College in Bloemfontein.
His early career was spent at the Free State where he represented them at the Craven Week in 2004 and at Under 21 level in 2005. In 2005 he also represented South Africa at the IRB U19 World Championships.
He moved to the Sharks in 2006 and after playing only 10 matches for the Natal Sharks in the 2006 Currie Cup Premier Division (at flyhalf), only 19 years old, was selected to represent the Springboks in the Northern Hemisphere touring squad by national coach Jake White. He debuted at wing against Ireland, he scored a try on his debut. In his next international match he was moved to fullback against England, scoring a long range drop-goal, from his own half. Steyn has shown to possess superb goal kicking qualities as well.
In his debut season of Super 14 rugby, Frans Steyn was selected on the right wing, however was moved to fullback when Percy Montgomery was injured. He played as the last line of defence until Percy Montgomery returned for the game against the Blues in Round 11, and was moved to flyhalf for this game.
He kicked two drop goals in the 2007 Tri Nations opener against Australia at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town, to win the game for the Springboks. One of these, a 42 metre effort from a fielded clearance kick next to the sideline, and another three minutes from time next to the posts about 30 metres out.
In South Africa’s first game at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, their star centre Jean de Villiers got injured. Steyn replaced him, playing only his second game at professional level at inside centre, but he made a break on first touch of the ball and his inclusion sparked the Springboks to a 37–0 second half demolition of Samoa.
On 24 September 2007 Steyn was cited to appear before a disciplinary hearing for allegedly biting Tongan winger Joseph Vaka during the Springboks v. Tonga 2007 Rugby World Cup game on 22 September. Both players were sent to the sinbin in the 60th minute for an off-the-ball incident. He was subsequently cleared of the charge, due to insufficient evidence and Vaka conceding that the apparent “bite mark” could have been received during normal play.
Steyn was the starting inside centre for the Springboks in the 2007 Rugby World Cup Final, he made a fantastic break that resulted in a penalty for the Boks and also converted one himself later on in the game. He is therefore the youngest player to win a Rugby World Cup.
In April 2009, Steyn signed a two-year contract with French Top 14 club Racing Métro 92 for an estimated €750,000 per season.
In the Springboks’ final match of the 2009 Tri Nations against New Zealand, his last match with the Springboks before his departure for France, he converted three penalties from within his own half of the field – he is believed to be the first player ever to do so in a Test match.
Steyn rejoined The Sharks by signing a 3 year deal on 29 May 2012. Back with his old team, Steyn played in the Sharks’ final two league matches of the 2012 Super Rugby season, helping them to make the finals series. Unfortunately for the franchise, Steyn was not available to them for the knock-outs due to his late entry into the squad. The Sharks went on to lose in the final to the Chiefs.
Reaching his 50th Test cap against Argentina in Cape Town in 2012, Steyn is the youngest South African to reach the milestone. Steyn was injured during The Rugby Championship in 2012, missing the final 2 matches, along with the Currie Cup, and the end of year tour to the UK.
He player made his return for the Sharks in the 2013 Super Rugby competition, captaining the side in the first few matches in the absence of regular skipper, Keegan Daniel. Steyn struggled with form early on in the Super Rugby year, but as the season progressed he began to regain the form that first earned him Springbok honours. Once again though, he was injured in the Sharks league match against the Highlanders in Dunedin, which they lost. Steyn would have to wait until the Currie Cup semi-final of 2013 against the Toyota Free State Cheetahs to make his next appearance. He was subbed early on in the match, but was again selected for the final against DHL Western Province. In the final his contributions on attack were good, but it was his immense defense that really marked his successful comeback and helped The Sharks to Currie Cup victory in 2013. After only 2 matches back, Steyn was not selected for the Springbok End Of Year tour in 2013.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2004 – Free State – U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week
- 2005 – South Africa – IRB U19 World Championships, Free State – ABSA Under 21 Competition, Free State – ABSA U19 Competition
- 2006 – The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, South Africa – IRB Under 19 World Championship, Springboks – Vodacom Outgoing Tours
- 2007 – Springboks – World Cup warm-up matches, The Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, Wildebeest – Vodacom Cup, Springboks – Vodacom Incoming Tours, Springboks – Vodacom Tri-Nations, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – Vodacom Outgoing Tour, Springboks – IRB Rugby World Cup
- 2008 – Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, Springboks – Vodacom Incoming Tours, Springboks – Vodacom Tri-Nations, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – Vodacom Outgoing Tour
- 2009 – Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, Springboks – British & Irish Lions, Springboks – Vodacom Tri-Nations, Racing Metro
- 2010 – Racing Metro, Springboks – Vodacom Tri-Nations, Springboks – Outgoing Tours
- 2011 – Racing Metro, Springboks – Vodacom Tri-Nations, Springboks – IRB Rugby World Cup
- 2012 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Springboks – Castle Incoming Tours, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – The Rugby Championship
- 2013 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
Frans is one of the darlings of South African rugby supporters, with massive talent, but he has been hampered by injuries of late and his bright star has waned somewhat from before. When not injured Frans is an asset in any side, whether he plays at centre (preferred position) or flyhalf or fullback and has an abrasive attacking style, whilst staunch in the defensive channels. He will start for the Cell C Sharks at inside centre unless he has a surprise lack in form or is injured.
Name: Paul Abraham “Paul” Jordaan:
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Paul Jordaan is a product of Gill Primary School and Grey College.
He represented Eastern Province at Under 13 level in 2005 and from Under 16 level to Under 18 level represented Free State. He represented South Africa in the Under 16 Elite squads in 2008 and South Africa in the SA Under 18 High Performance squad in 2010.
In 2011 he represented South Africa at the IRB Junior World Championships and made his move down to Natal where he played for the Sharks at Under 19, Nuder 21 and Currie Cup levels.
In 2012 he made his debut at Super Rugby and also represented South Africa at the IRB Junior World Championship.
His regular playing position is centre but he can also play flyhalf and wing.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2005 – Eastern Province – U13 Coca Cola Craven Week
- 2008 – South Africa U16 Elite Squads, Konika Minolta Free State – U16 Coca-Cola Grant Khomo Week
- 2009 – Free State – U18 Academy Week
- 2010 – Free State – U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week, South Africa – SA U18 High Performance
- 2011 – South Africa – IRB Junior World Championships, Sharks XV – ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Sharks – ABSA Under 21 Competition, Sharks – ABSA Under 19 Competition
- 2012 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, South Africa – IRB Junior World Championship, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2013 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
Paul Jordaan is a great talent and a versatile player, steadily making his progress in the rankings and teams and could start at centre next to Frans Steyn or be on the bench as a utility back.
Name: Timothy John “Tim” Whitehead:
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Tim Whitehead is a product of Grey Primary and Grey High School in Port Elizabeth.
He played for UCT in the Varsity Cup in 2008, 2010 and 2011 and also represented SA Students in 2009. In 2008 and 2009 he represented Western Provice at Under 21 level and Western Province in Vodacom Cup in 2009.
In 2010 he started playing Super 14 rugby for the Stormers and also started his Currie Cup career at Western Province.
In 2012 he joined the Sharks for Super Rugby and Currie Cup Premier Division and continued to do so in 2013.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2008 – UCT – Varsity Cup, Vodacom WP – ABSA Under 21 Competition
- 2009 – Western Province – ABSA Under 21 Competition, Western Province – Vodacom Cup, South Africa – SA Students
- 2010 – Vodacom Stormers – Vodacom Super 14, UCT – Varsity Cup, Western Province – Vodacom Cup, Western Province – ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies, Vodacom Western Province – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2011 – DHL Western Province – Vodacom Cup, UCT – Varsity Cup, DHL Stormers – Vodacom Super Rugby, DHL Western Province – ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies, DHL Western Province – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2012 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2013 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
Tim Whitehead, like Paul Jordaan, is one for the future and I expect him to get fair game time at centre for the Cell C Sharks in Super Rugby 2014.
Name: Heimar Williams:
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Heimar Williams is a product of Hennopspark Primary School in Centurion, Afrikaans Hoër Seunsskool in Pretoria (Affies) and the University of South Africa (Unisa).
He made the SA Academy side at the Under 18 Coca-Cola Craven Week in 2009 and joined the Shaks in 2010 where he played in the ABSa Under 19 Competition.
In 2011 he played for the Sharks XV in Vodacom Cup, the Sharks at Under 21 level and The Sharks in the Currie Cup Premier Division and has ranged between these sides till 2013.
He has not played Super Rugby yet.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2009 – SA Academy – U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week
- 2010 – Sharks – ABSA Under 19 Competition
- 2011 – Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, Sharks XV – ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Sharks – ABSA Under 21 Competition
- 2012 – Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, Sharks – ABSA Under 21 Competition
- 2013 – Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
Heimar is yet another Shark centre with a possibly bigger future ahead.
Name: Marius Charl “Marius” Joubert:
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Marius Joubert is a product of Paarl Gymnasium.
He has previously played for the Boland Kavaliers, Free State Cheetahs, ASM Clermont Auvergne and Western Province in the Currie Cup and the Stormers and the Central Cheetahs in Super Rugby. At Paarl Gymnasium he played alongside Springboks like De Wet Barry and Jean de Villiers.
Joubert started his career at the Boland Kavaliers where he played from 1999 to 2001 when he joined Western Province from 2002 to 2006. He made his debut for South Africa against New Zealand in 2001 and in that very game, picked up a serious knee injury. Despite several injury setbacks (one of which, a badly damaged shoulder, kept him out of the 2003 World Cup), Joubert continued to develop into a world-class centre.
He was a member of the 2004 Springbok squad that won the Tri-Nations. In the Springboks home match at Ellis Park in Johannesburg against the All Blacks, he became only the second Springbok in history (after Ray Mordt in 1981) to score a hat-trick of tries against the All Blacks. Joubert was also for a time South Africa’s leading try scorer in Tri Nations play, with 6 tries, before being overtaken by Breyton Paulse.
During the 2006 Super 14 season. Joubert’s form dipped dramatically due to several injury problems. Firstly he struggled with a back injury that kept him from playing in the Currie Cup. He then sustained a back injury that kept him out of the Currie Cup and the Springboks’ year-end tour to Argentina, Wales and France. He returned to play for the Stormers in the Super 14, only to break his hand in their final fixture. On 11 September 2006, the Cheetahs announced that Joubert had signed for them for the upcoming 2007 season, thus ending Joubert’s 5-year association with the Stormers and Western Province Rugby Union.
Joubert won the 2007 Currie Cup with the Free State Cheetahs and the 2010 French Championship with ASM Clermont Auvergne.
In March 2011 he signed on at the Sharks and it is unclear whether he has retired now or will still be available at the Sharks. He is entered here as 5th option only.
He is seriously over the hill now, already well over 34 years old.
His playing career is as follows:
- 1998 – Wellington – Supersport Club Championship
- 1999 – Boland – Vodacom Cup, Boland Kavaliers – Bankfin Currie Cup
- 2000 – Boland Kavaliers – Vodacom Cup, South Africa Under 23 – African Rugby Championships, South Africa – Southern Hemisphere U21, Bloand Kavaliers – Bankfin Currie Cup
- 2001 – Boland Kavaliers – Bankfin Currie Cup, Springboks – Vodacom Tri-Nations, Springboks – SA A tour to Europe
- 2002 – Stormers – Vodacom Super 12, Springboks – Incoming Tours, Springboks – Vodacom Tri-Nations, Investec Western Province – Bankfin Currie Cup, Springboks – Outgoing Tour
- 2003 – Investec Stormers – Vodacom Super 12, Investec Western Province – Vodacom Shield, Springboks – Vodacom Incoming Tours, Investec WP – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2004 – Investec Stormers – Vodacom Super 12, Western Province – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – Vodacom Incoming Tours, Springboks – Vodacom Tri-Nations, Springboks – Vodacom Outgoing Tours
- 2005 – Investec Stormers – Vodacom Super 12, Springboks – Vodacom Incoming Tours, Investec Westrn Province – ABSA Currie Cup Qualifying Round, Springboks – Vodacom Tri-Nations, Springboks – Nelson Mandela Challenge
- 2006 – Vodacom Stormers – Vodacom Super 14
- 2007 – Vodacom Cheetahs – Vodacom Super 14, Vodacom Free State Cheetahs ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2008 – 2010 – ASM Clermont Auvergne
- 2011 – ASM Clermont auvergne, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2012 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2013 – Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
The Sharks would have to be rather desperate to use Marius Joubert in Super Rugby and the more likely scenario is that in case too many centres are injured, that JP Pietersen will move from wing to outside centre to cover that problem situation, alternatively that Patrick Lambie moves one position out from flyhalf to inside centre and with Fred Zeilinga at flyhalf.
Starters:
The Sharks will most probably start with Frans Steyn at inside centre and Paul Jordaan, Tim Whitehead and Heimar Williams will fight it out for the outside centre berth. In emergency situations Patrick Lambie could play inside centre and JP Pietersen could play outside centre.
Back Three:
Name: Lwazi Ncedo “Lwazi” Mvovo:
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Lwazi Mvovo is a product of Gledys King Primary School and Maria Louw High School.
He played Craven Week and Under 19 rugby for Border in 2004 and 2005 before moving to the Sharks from 2006. From 2006 to 2009 he played on various levels for The Sharks, from Under 21 to Vodacom Cup, to Currie Cup Premier Division
His senior debut for the Natal Sharks was on 27 June 2008 against Boland in Durban.
In the 2010 Currie Cup tournament Lwazi Mvovo was the second highest try scorer with 12 tries to his name. He once again impressed in the Super Rugby competition when he tied for the second highest try scorer, once more, with 6 tries.
He is very quick on his feet and shows an excellent work rate. In October 2010, Lwazi was selected to the Springbok squad of 39 players to prepare for the November tour of Europe. He made his Springboks debut on 20 November 2010 in the 21-17 loss to Scotland at Murrayfield. Lwazi scored his first international try against England, at Twickenham on Saturday 27 November 2010, in a 21-11 victory.
Lwazi Mvovo made his Tri Nations debut against the Wallabies in Sydney on 23 July 2011. He was part of the 39 – 20 hammering at the hands of the Wallabies, however showed strength and stamina to test the Australian defense for the full 80 minutes. His 100m time was 10.32 seconds. He then appeared against New Zealand in Wellington as No 11.
Lwazi Mvovo has proven to be one of the fastest players in South Africa, outstripping opponents as he scored a number of long range tries for The Sharks in Vodacom Super Rugby during the last few seasons. The powerfully-built winger from the Eastern Cape has been a star and narrowly missed out on Rugby World Cup selection in 2011. Apart from speed, he is also strong on defence and has developed his kicking and chasing game a lot in 2012 and 2013.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2004 – Border – U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week, Border Bulldogs – ABSA U20 Competition Section B
- 2005 – Border – SA U19 Competition
- 2006 – KZN – ABSA Under 21 Competition, Kwa-Zulu Natal – Inter-Provincial Sevens Competition for men
- 2007 – Wildebeest squad member – Vodacom Cup, SA Amateur – Africa Cup Pool South, Sharks – ABSA Under 21 Competition
- 2008 – Wildebeest – Vodacom Cup, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2009 – Sharks – MTN test, Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, Sharks – British & Irish Lions Tour, Sharks Invitational XV – ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2010 – Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – Outgoing Tours
- 2011 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Springboks – Castle Tri-Nations, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2012 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Springboks – Castle Incoming Tours, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – The Rugby Championship, Springboks – Castle Outgoing Tours
- 2013 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Springboks – Castle Lager Incoming Series, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
Lwazi is there and thereabouts on National level and will certainly make the Sharks starting lineup at No 11 (left wing).
Name: Odwa Nzuzo “Odwa” Ndungane:
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Odwa Ndungane is the twin brother of former Springbok wing Akona Ndungane who plays his rugby at the Bulls and is a product of St. Patricks Primary School, Hudson Park High School and Eastern Cape Technikon.
He started his career in 1999 at Border from Under 21 and Vodacom Cup levels and also represented South Africa at Under 21 level at the IRB Under 21 World Cup in 2002. He played Bankfin Currie Cup rugby for Border in 2002 and ABSA Currie Cup First Division rugby in 2003.
Surprisingly I read that he also went up to the Bulls initially, where he played Super 12 rugby in 2004, represented the Vodacom Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup and also played for South Africa A in their Outgoing Tour of that year.
2005 Was the year he moved to the Sharks where he has played on all levels for them and is still plying his trade there.
In 2007 he made the Springbok squad as a squad member but only played his 1st Test on 21 June 2008 against Italy. He has 9 Test Caps and has played a further 3 Tour Games for the Springboks, the last of which was on 17 September 2011 vs Fiji at the Rugby World Cup in 2011.
His playing career is as follows:
- 1999 – Border – Bankfin Under 21
- 2000 – Border – Bankfin Under 21
- 2001 – Spoornet Bulldogs – Vodacom Cup
- 2002 – Border – Vodacom Cup, South Africa – IRB U21 World Cup, Border – Bankfin Under 21, Spoornet Bulldogs – Bankfin Currie Cup
- 2003 – Spoornet Bulldogs – Vodacom Shield, Spoornet Bulldogs – ABSA Currie Cup Qualifying Rounds, Spoornet Bulldogs – ABSA Currie Cup First Division
- 2004 – Bulls – Vodacom Super 12, Blue Bulls – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, South Africa A – South Africa A Outgoing Tour
- 2005 – Sharks – Vodacom Super 12, Natal Wildebeest – Vodacom Cup, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Qualifying Round, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2006 – Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2007 – Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, Wildebeest – Vodacom Cup, Springboks squad member – Vodacom Incoming Tours, SA Emerging – IRB Nations Cup, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2008 – Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, Springboks – Vodacom Incoming Tours, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – Vodacom Tri-Nations, Springboks – Vodacom Outgoing Tour
- 2009 – Sharks – MTN test, Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, Springboks – British & Irish Lions Tour, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – Vodacom Tri-Nations, Springboks – Vodacom Outgoing Tour
- 2010 – The Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – Outgoing Tours
- 2011 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Springboks – Castle Tri-Nations, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – IRB Rugby World Cup 2011
- 2012 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2013 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
Odwa is getting extremely long in the tooth, much like his brother Akona at the Bulls but Jake White seems to have faith in Odwa, having named his as one of 3 Vice-Captains in the Sharks Super Rugby group for 2014.
Name: Jon-Paul Roger “JP” Pietersen:
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JP Pietersen is a product of Cloetesville Primary School in Stellenbosch and General Hertzog High School in Witbank.
He started his career in 2004 for Mpumalanga in the Under 18 Craven Week and the @lantic Pumas in the ABSA Under 20 Competition but moved to the Sharks for the 2005 season.
He made his provincial debut with the Natal Sharks as a 19-year old during the 2005 Currie Cup season. His 2006 Super 14 season was disrupted by injuries but despite this, he was included in the South African Under 21 team to compete at the 2006 Under 21 Rugby World Championship. South Africa made the final, but were defeated by the hosts, France. Upon arriving back to South Africa he was named in the Springboks’ 2006 Tri Nations Series squad where he debuted against New Zealand at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.
Pietersen’s deceptive pace and gliding runs make him an unpredictable back-line player, with the ability to break the line at will and create attacking opportunities for his team. He is also a clinical finisher, and was the leading try scorer in the 2007 Super 14 competition with 12 tries from 15 games. Before the emergence of Francois Steyn at the Sharks franchise, Pietersen was seen as the ideal replacement for Percy Montgomery as fullback, however with Steyn being able to play at either fullback, wing or flyhalf, Pietersen now finds his role as playmaker in the Sharks team divided as either wing or fullback.. and i 2013 as outsice centre.
He was selected for the Springboks 2007 Rugby World Cup squad, starting in the first 2 matches and in the process scored 3 tries. He was impressive in the game against England, scoring 2 tries and setting up a third.
The top try-scorer in the 2007 Super 14 failed to score even one in 2008.
However, post 2007 World Cup Pietersen went on to establish the most capped wing combination in Springbok history with Bryan Habana, standing currently at 25 Tests, 10 more than next best between James Small and Jaques Olivier. Aside from his obvious attacking abilities, Pietersen is widely regarded for his outstanding defence, with his cover defence being the saving grace of the Springbok’s 2008 End of Year Tour, manfully keeping the Welsh at bay and dominating his opposite, Shane Williams. His all-round skills remain of the highest standard, maturing into one of the best wings post readmission.
In April 2013, it was announced that he would play for Panasonic Wild Knights in the 2013–14 Top League in Japan, meaning he missed out on The Sharks’ 2013 Currie Cup Premier Division campaign, but will return to the Sharks for the 2014 Super Rugby season.
Pietersen was called up for the Springboks’ 2011 Rugby World Cup campaign, starting the first game in a 17–16 victory for the Springboks. South Africa then thrashed Fiji 49–3 with Pietersen this time playing on the left wing. Pietersen did not play when South Africa thrashed Namibia 87–0. He started again on the right wing as South Africa squeezed past Samoa 13–5. South Africa were then through to the quarter-finals of the World Cup but got knocked out by the Wallabies, 11–9.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2004 – Mpumalanga – U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week, @lantic Pumas – ABSA U20 Competition Section B
- 2005 – The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Qualifying Round, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2006 – Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, South Africa – IRB Under 21 World Championship, Springboks – Vodacom Tri-Nations, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, South Africa Invitational XV – Vodacom Outgoing Tours, Springboks – Vodacom Outgoing Tours
- 2007 – Springboks – World Cup warm-up matches, Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, Wildebeest – Vodacom Cup, Springboks – Vodacom Incoming Tours, Springboks – Vodacom Tri-Nations, Springboks – Vodacom Outgoing Tour, Springboks – IRB Rugby World Cup 2007
- 2008 – Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, Springboks – Vodacom Incoming Tours, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – Vodacom Tri-Nations, Springboks – Vodacom Outgoing Tour
- 2009 – Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, Springboks – British & Irish Lions Tour, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – Vodacom Tri-Nations, Springboks – Vodacom Outgoing Tour
- 2010 – Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – Vodacom Tri-Nations
- 2011 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Springboks – Castle Tri-Nations, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – IRB Rugby World Cup 2011
- 2012 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Springboks – Castle Incoming Tours, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – Castle Outgoing Tours
- 2013 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Springboks – Castle Lager Outgoing Tour, Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan
The loping style of JP Pietersen will be needed on the right wing in 2014.
Name: Sibusiso Camagu Thokozani “S’bura” Sithole:
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S’bura Sitole is a product of Queens Primary School, Queen’s College and Varsity College.
He started his career at Border where he played Under 16 Grant Khomo Week in 2006 and Border Craven Week in 2008 as well as Under 18 Elite Squads for SA and SA Schools.
In 2009 he moved to the Sharks and played Under 19 rugby. In 2010 he made his senior debut for the Sharks XV in Vodacom Cup, played Under 21 rugby and represented South Africa at the IRB Junior World Championships. In addition he played for the Blitzbokke in Dubai and George in 2010.
In 2011 he played for all senior sides at the Sharks, including Currie Cup Premier Division.
In 2012 he was included in the Sharks Super Rugby squad but made his debut in Super Rugby only in 2013 (2 games). In 2013 he represented South Africa at the IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2006 – Border – U16 Coca Cola Grant Khomo Week
- 2008 – South Africa – SA Schools, South Africa U18 Elite Squads, Border – U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week
- 2009 – Sharks – ABSA Under 19 Competition
- 2010 – Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, South Africa – IRB Junior World Championships, Sharks – ABSA Under 21 Competition, South Africa – HSBC Sevens World Series (Dubai & George)
- 2011 – Sharks XV Vodacom Cup, Sharks XV – ABSA Currie Cup Compulsary Friendlies, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Sharks – ABSA Under 21 Competition
- 2012 – Sharks squad member – Vodacom Super Rugby, Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2013 – Sharks XV, Vodacom Cup, Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, South Africa – IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
S’Bura is like a Subaru… pun intended, wanting to break loose, shake off the shackles and run wild and free, has huge potential and 2014 might be his year.
Name: Sean Jack “Sean” Robinson:
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Sean Robinson is a product of Garsfontein Primary School and Waterkloof High School in Pretoria.
He represented Blue Bulls in 2009 (Under 16), 2010 and 2011 (Under 18) at various youth weeks. He then joined the Natal Sharks in 2012, scoring 30 points in his 13 appearances in the 2012 Under 19 Currie Cup Competition.
He was included in the Sharks senior squad for the 2013 Vodacom Cup and made his first class debut on 5 April 2013 in their Vodacom Cup match against the SWD Eagles, scoring the winning try in the 70th minute of the game. Five days later, he was named in the starting line-up for the Sharks for their Super Rugby game against the Stormers.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2009 – Blue Bulls – U18 Coca-Cola Grant Khomo Week
- 2010 – Blue Bulls – U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week
- 2011 – Blue Bulls – U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week, South Africa – SA Schools
- 2012 – Sharks – ABSA Under 19 Competition
- 2013 – Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, The Sharks – ABSA Under 21 Competition, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
Sean has almost had a brief wonder career, with immediate elevation from 1 Vodacom Cup game and into Super Rugby and ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division rugby, but in 2014 might find the competition stronger as the likelyhood of as many backline injuries as in 2013 is highly unlikely.
Name: Sarel Pretorius “SP” Marais:
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SP Marais is a product of Durbanville Primary School and Paarl Boys High School.
He played for the Boland Cavaliers in youth competitions and was part of the 2009 Vodacom Cup squad, without making a senior appearance. He then moved to Potchefstroom in 2010, where he played 4 matches for the Pukke in the 2010 Varsity Cup competition.
He also played for the Leopards Under 21 team during the 2010 Under 21 Competition.
Although he didn’t play any games for the Leopards during the 2010 Currie Cup season, his made his first class senior debut in the Leopards’ first relegation play-off match against the SWD Eagles, scoring his first try within a minute of his debut when he came on as a first-half blood replacement and a second try right before the end of the match. He maintained his try-scoring exploits in the following match, scoring another try in the return leg to help keep the Leopards in the 2011 Currie Cup Premier Division.
It was then announced that he moved to the Eastern Province Kings for the 2011 Currie Cup First Division season. He remained with them for 3 seasons, making 36 appearances for them in the Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup competitions in 2011 and 2012. He reached the top 10 in the scoring charts for the 2011 Currie Cup First Division, scoring 10 tries and 2 conversions during the season. He firmly established himself as the first choice fullback, starting 15 of their 16 matches in the 2012 Currie Cup First Division season and also started their match in the First Division final, which the Kings won 26–25 to win their second First Division title in 3 seasons.
In 2013, he was also named in the Southern Kings squad for the 2013 Super Rugby season. He made his Super Rugby debut for them in their first ever Super Rugby match, a 22–10 victory over Australian side the Force in Port Elizabeth. After starting the first 3 matches of the season, he missed the next 7 due to a knee injury. He returned to make a further 5 appearances, as well as playing in both legs of the Southern Kings’ Super Rugby Promotion / Relegation play-offs against the MTN Lions, which saw the Southern Kings lose their Super Rugby status for 2014.
He joined the exodus of players leaving the Southern Kings after their defeat to the MTN Lions, joining Durban-based side The Sharks for the 2013 Currie Cup Premier Division season. He made his debut in their second match of the season against the MTN Golden Lions and immediately established himself as their first-choice fullback, starting all the remaining games of the season and scoring 4 tries. He was also in the starting fifteen for the Currie Cup final, which the Sharks won 33–19 against Western Province.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2008 – Boland – ABSA Under 19 Competition
- 2009 – Boland Cavaliers squad member – Vodacom Cup, Boland – ABSA Under 21 Competition
- 2010 – Pukke – Varsity Cup, Leopards – ABSA Under 21 Competition, Leopards – ABSA Currie Cup Promotion / Relegation
- 2011 – EP Kings – Vodacom Cup, South African Kings – IRB Nations Cup, EP Kings – ABSA Currie Cup First Division
- 2012 – EP Kings – Vodacom Cup, EP Kings – ABSA Currie Cup First Division, EP Kings – ABSA Currie Cup Promotion / Relegation
- 2013 – Southern Kings – Vodacom Super Rugby, EP Kings – ABSA Currie Cup First Division, Southern Kings – Super Rugby Promotion / Relegation, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
SP Marais is an investment for the future and it would not surprise me in the least if he makes the Springbok side before the World Cup in 2015.
Name: Sizophila Sabelo “Sizo” Maseko:
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Sizo Maseko is a product of Ermelo Primary School, Ermelo High School and University of Stellenbosch.
He represented the Pumas at the 2008 and 2009 Under 18 Craven Week competitions, resulting in a call-up to the Under 18 Elite squad in 2008 and the SA Schools team in 2009. He also represented the Pumas Under 19 team in the 2008 and 2009 Under 19 Currie Cup competition.
He joined Western Province in 2010 and played for their Under 19 team in the Under 19 Currie Cup competition. He was named in their squad for the 2011 Vodacom Cup, but did not make an appearance. He did play for Western Province in the 2011 Under 21 Currie Cup. He was named in the Maties squad for the 2012 Varsity Cup competition, but also failed to make an appearance for them.
He then joined Durban-based side The Sharks and represented their Under 21 side in the 2012 Under 21 Currie Cup.
His senior team debut came in the 2013 Vodacom Cup. He was named in the Sharks XV starting line-up in the first game of the season against the Border Bulldogs and scored 2 tries early in the second half to help them to a 72–6 victory. He started all 8 matches in the competition and weighed in with a further 3 tries.
His Currie Cup debut came later in the same year, when he was included in The Sharks starting team to face Griquas in the opening match of the 2013 Currie Cup Premier Division season.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2008 – Pumas – U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week, South Africa – U18 Elite Squads, Mpumalanga – ABSA Under 19 Competition
- 2009 – Pumas – U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week, South Africa – SA U18 High Performance, South Africa – SA Schools U18, Pumas – ABSA Under 19 Competition
- 2010 – Western Province – ABSA Under 19 Competition
- 2011 – DHL Western Province squad member – Vodacom Cup, Western Province – ABSA Under 21 Competition
- 2012 – Maties squad member – Varsity Cup, Sharks – ABSA Under 21 Competition
- 2013 – Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
Sizo is a possible break-through candidate for 2014.
Starters:
In addition to the above there is also Andre Esterhuizen and Tyler Fisher and Tim Swiel to consider (not so much as Back Three members, but as Utility backs) and although Hansie Graaff was listed as a Flyhalf in one of the previous articles, he is a good option at fullback too.
The Sharks will most probably start with Lwazi Mvovo at No 11 (left wing), JP Pietersen at No 14 (right wing) and SP Marais at No 15 (fullback) but one certainly feels that S’Bura Sithole and Sean Robinson will get some game time and both would be good bench options.
Sizo Maseko only has a very distant outside chance to be included in the squad, even the broader squad.