THE only thing that is likely to be on Springbok captain John Smit’s mind at the moment is how they can possibly overcome the Wallabies in Brisbane this Saturday, but on his return to Durban, he is set to resume contractual negotiations with the Sharks.
Article with compliments to the Daily News.
Rumours have been buzzing around for some time predominantly linking Smit with a possible move to the Lions, where former Sharks coach and current Bok assistant coach Dick Muir is trying to re-build the franchise into a formidable force once again.
Smit’s Sharks contract is up at the end of the 2010 season, and with the Springboks set to have a few weeks break between this weekend’s Tri-Nations test and their next, Sharks commercial manager Rudolf Straeuli said they were keen to sit down with Smit.
“We are waiting to meet with John once he returns from overseas. He’s said that he hasn’t committed to anyone else and that he’ll come to see us when he’s back. So that should happen in the next couple of weeks.”
A source close to the Bok captain confirmed to the Daily News that interest in acquiring the services of Smit had been expressed by the Lions and from other quarters, but that the 32-year-old was in fact likely to re-sign with the Sharks.
Meanwhile, Absa Currie Cup captain Stefan Terblanche will lead an unchanged run-on side against the Pumas tomorrow night at the Absa Stadium, in what will be his 100th Currie Cup appearance (25 with Boland and the rest for the Sharks).
The successful starting lineup from last weekend remains entirely intact, while there is just a solitary change on the bench, where Willem Alberts returns from injury to replace Skholiwe Ndlovu.
Sharks coach
John Plumtree said it was important to reward the players with reselection after they performed so well against the Blue Bulls.
“We’ve talked about how if you front up, you’ve got a great chance of being selected and I thought everyone deserved to be re-selected this week. That’s the kind of environment I want to create, where there is healthy competition for places. If you don’t perform, you don’t get picked and this was one game where everybody really stood up. We do have some guys returning from injury, which is great news for us, but they are going to have to work to get back into this team.”
Alberts is one of those that will have to work his way back off the bench, but he is set to have an extended run in the second half “with a view to giving him some game time ahead of the match against the Cheetahs next week”.
For the most part, though, Plumtree said it was crucial for combinations to settle.
@ sharky_forever:12 – Sharky only see this post of yours now. Well that is exactly the reason I thought John would not be moving away from Durbs.
@ 4man:4man I know, but really don’t think John wants to do that. Think after the world cup next year he will just want to stay put in one place with his family. Not fly back and forward from Joburg. Really can’t see him doing that. Think Sharks will over him something to keep him. Well hoping. Also if he had to move I think it would be overseas with his family for a year or two not to Joburg.
@ Puma:First prize…two year contract at the Sharks….Captain SA for the world cup and then he can go overseas.
Am I to understand they are talking of paying him R15 mil?
@ Blue Bird:21 – BB..hehehehe.
@ 4man:
Somehow I just can’t see you on a bike!! Do you wear lycra? 😉 I am told it helps to eliminate ‘chaffing’……Hehheheehh
@ 4man:33 – 4man, Think that would be great if he stayed on at the Sharks. Not sure what he will earn, though it will be quite a huge sum I imagine. In his book he says he wants to travel before his children are at school age. So think Sharks for another year or two and off to travel or play a bit overseas. Not to Joburg, really don’t see him doing that.
@ Puma:
Evening Puma, you would think these men would have got the message about the dangers of condensed milk, we have droned on long enough here about it!! lol
How is your diet going? 🙁
@ Blue Bird:Whats lycra 😉 No, I’m strictly a t-shirt and shorts guy…I havent even graduated to a bicycle helmet yet. I am still not over the shock of them forcing me to wear one on my motorbike!!
@ Blue Bird:37 – BB, Well not exactly a diet but rather trying to eat healthy….hehehe. For now it has lasted 6 days. Want to stay on this healthy diet for another few weeks. I say this and it never lasts more than a week. So have to see how I go this time. Then one of my Scots mates phoned and wanted to come end of Aug. I just said come next year….hehehe. Have had tooooooooooo many visitors this past month.
How you doing BB? Hope well.
@ 4man:38 – 4man did you watch any of the Open? Felt great to see Oosthuizen with it. Especially that no-one had heard of him.
@ 4man:
Robzim told me today how he was hit by a car on his bike, he hit the bonnet, went over the roof of the car and only dislocated his shoulder and some figers…..wasn’t wearing a helmet either, think he does now!! 🙂
Hey, I met Treehugger today on skype….lovely shakie supporter (great hair) and I even saw some of her monkeys in the garden!!
I have chickens in mine!!
Some great folks on these blogs..
@ Puma:40 – Typo there. Meant win it
@ Puma:
All good thanks Puma…Pouring with rain here in the Cotswolds. We have experienced quite a drought recently and need some rain, although it is a bit,late to help with the harvest.
On to Saturday, I have put the Boks to win In Aus…Whadda you reckon???? 🙂
@ Blue Bird:41 – Yip, plenty good people around these blogs. Where is Treehugs these days? Have not seen her blog for a long time.
We have plenty monkeys where I live BB. There were a whole troop of them here late afternoon yesterday. Around 5pm.
@ Puma:
Puma, you must be a great host, they all want to come and stay in Umhlanga. Guests are terrible for the waistline and somehow the wine comes out every night too!!
You are right guests need to be rationed!!
@ Blue Bird:43 – BB, This week went with my heart and said Boks by 5. We could do it. Then not really sure with our loose trio. Maybe but I have em down for a win.
Well we having a drought here too 😀 We hardly get any rain in the winter. Since I came in June have seen rain about once. Lovely weather we have in Durbs/Umhlanga this time of year. Tonight the temp will be 16 was 26 today with full sun and that is winter…hehehe. Eat your heart out BB and 4man…..hehehe.
@ Blue Bird:45 – BB, I hardly ration my guests, the South African ones just turn up 😯 I enjoy it though but my Scots mates come plenty enough. Had a couple here for awhile in the WC. I have em every year. Time for me to do a trip there…hehe. Maybe later this year. Thinking of it.
@ Puma:yes I did. I caught the end of the 2nd last day and then watched him from the 4th hole to the finish. Looks like a nice kid. He also gave Nelson a birthday greeting which shows his class.
@ Puma:
She is still about, sometimes it is a bit quiet on R.T and it is much more fun posting when a few more people are on, she has taken to posting on Keo too. She can see giraffes from her home and other big game animals, amazing to me.
Do the monkeys ever try to get into your homes? They are curious little blighters I imagine!
@ Puma:
Puma what would it take to get you to meet up with 4man and myself??? 🙂
Tea at the Ritz, Lunch at Claridges, dinner at The Ivy?? 😉 We are friendly folks!!
Mind you, your diet(Healthy eating) would have to go on hold!!
@ Blue Bird:i’VE CHATTED TO HER A COUPLE OF TIMES, SEEMS LIKE A NICE LADY. sorry caps
@ 4man:How old was Nelson Mandella this time must be 92 or 93!!
@Puma 47 WC weather currenly gorgeous, was 26 degrees today, no rain for a while, though, worth visiting! Anytime! And I can see the sea from my “stoep”, sorry no giraffes and monkeys though….
@ Blue Bird:Monkeys are shocking…brazen as all get out and they will steal you blind…people feed them, then they become aggressive if you dont, so you have to shoot them. Millions of Vervets in Natal
@ 4man:48 – 4man, I watch the Open always from start to finish. Well mostly the last 2 days. Really enjoyed seeing someone win that no-one heard of. I never heard of him either. Though Sharky said he had.
Yip, heard what he said in the presentation. Sounds like a humble guy and really nice person.
Did you read that a South African surfer won the JBay surfing tourney? Not sure what his name was or what it is called these days. Way back it was the Gunston 500. Anyhow the last time a South African won it, it was Shaun Thompson. I remember watching him win it. Think it was 86 or 87. So a long time since a saffa has won it.
good evening blou voeltjie 😆
@ Blue Bird:he is 92
lol puma never forget sharky knows 😆
he be 92 in the shade lol
@ Puma:I must go and play St Andrews, my nephew wants to go again, he is a former Natal junior champ. I’ll checkout the jbay classic and see who it was….normally a Durban boy, or one of the PE chaps who surf there all the time. My old mate Gavin Rudolph (bald as an egg these days) still surfs there and still takes sections that others find daunting.
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