AFTER contracting Bulls flyhalf Jacques-Louis Potgieter, the Sharks are set to sign another versatile back who has been on their radar for some time, 25-year-old Meyer Bosman.

The Article with compliments of Craig Lewis and the Daily News

 Few weeks ago, Bosman’s agent, Stephan Weyers, confirmed that the Sharks had expressed an interest in making an offer for the flyhalf-cum-centre, but were able to do so only from July 1 – a full four months before the end of his current Cheetahs contract.

It was then recently revealed that a two-year deal had been offered by the Sharks, and yesterday Weyers confirmed that Bosman was on the verge of signing on the dotted line. “It’s certainly looking very good. Meyer hasn’t put pen to paper as yet, but he is happy with the offer and it would be accepted once it is all put forward in writing.
” The fact that another acquisition is as good as done is certainly great news for the Sharks, who will now have Potgieter and Bosman available for next year’s inaugural edition of the Super 15 – and both of them can play at flyhalf or centre. Bosman has played exclusively for the Cheetahs ever since rising to prominence from the under-21 side in 2005, but is now set to join a long list of former Free Staters who have ventured to Durban.

 Meanwhile, home-grown teenage sensation Patrick Lambie was named yesterday to start at inside centre for the Sharks’ clash against the Blue Bulls at the Absa Stadium tomorrow afternoon. Stature John Plumtree revealed the move from fullback was on the cards at Tuesday’s press conference, and despite Lambie’s diminutive stature, the Sharks coach said he didn’t feel it would be a problem.

 “If you look at a number of the Wallabies backs, specifically Matt Giteau and Berrick Barnes, these are slightly smaller players who’ve shifted to the midfield and done all right. “Pat’s tough and he’s got great balance, which gets him out of trouble in the contact situation and we’ve seen that.

 It’s the first thing I noticed when he was playing for the under-21s, he’s such a natural footballer and although the change could take a bit of time it could be worthwhile.” Lambie replaces Riaan Swanepoel – who drops out of the match-day 22 all together – while Louis Ludik moves to his preferred position at fullback, with JP Pietersen returning from injury to take his place on the wing.

 In a tactical change, scrumhalf Charl McLeod replaces Rory Kockott – who was below par last weekend – while new second row recruit Ross Skeate is set for his Sharks debut off the bench, where he replaces Anton Bresler. After a second-half capitulation against Griquas last Saturday, Plumtree said the Sharks had used this week to fine-tune all aspects of their game.

 “I think it’s a week of working on all areas, there wasn’t just one problem area. We lost our concentration a bit at lineout time in the second half, at times didn’t clear the ball well from the base of the scrum, and our errors gifted Griquas tries.

 “We’re looking forward to a positive performance against the Blue Bulls because we’re better than the performance we gave against Griquas and there are a few things we ironed out in training this week which hopefully won’t be a problem again for us.” Plumtree added that both teams were sure to take a step up from last weekend.

 “The Bulls also didn’t finish off their game as well as they would have liked to, and they will definitely make a step up this weekend, but so will we.”