Earlier this week, the Daily News reported that Pietersen was keen to stay at the Sharks despite lucrative offers from the Bulls and Lions, and yesterday his agent James Adams confirmed that he had signed on for another three years.
The decision of the 36-Test capped winger to turn down bigger monetary offers in order to extend his time at the Sharks is certainly a positive reflection on the set-up and personnel at the KwaZulu-Natal union.
Similarly, Smit also turned down a substantial offer from the Lions. The Bok captain is enjoying some much-deserved time off for the remainder of the year after undergoing a neck op last month, but even in his absence coach John Plumtree has been able to name an all-Springbok front row for tomorrow’s match, with returning contracted Boks Bismarck du Plessis and “Beast” Mtawarira joining Jannie du Plessis.
In both the Super 14 and Currie Cup matches against Western Province this year, the Sharks got the better of things up front, but WP forwards coach Matthew Proudfoot has stressed that they have been focusing on finding ways to dominate.
That’s going to be a massive challenge – with Province having lost influential hooker Tiaan Liebenberg and prop Wicus Blaauw to injury.
Meanwhile, another returning Bok for the Sharks is Adi Jacobs, who is set to get a good run off the bench in place of Terblanche, with the captain returning to outside centre after missing last week’s match with an elbow injury.
It’s going be a huge game for Jacobs after six months on the sidelines, first as the result of a serious shoulder injury and then because of the national conditioning programme.
In fact, the reintegration of all the returning Boks – Pietersen is due back next weekend – will be very interesting to note at this stage of the competition as it seemed to throw the side off-kilter during last year’s campaign.
There is one crucial difference, though, in that last year the Boks had been highly successful in defeating the British and Irish Lions and winning the Tri-Nations, so when they returned to the Sharks they perhaps lacked the necessary motivation. This is not the case now. With the Sharks also assured of top spot, tomorrow afternoon’s match has provided the perfect opportunity to bring the Boks back and also rest some battleweary stalwarts, with the likes of Keegan Daniel, Steven Sykes and Charl McLeod getting a bit of a break (although they’ve all been named on the bench).
Ryan Kankowski is back to take over from Daniel, Alistair Hargreaves replaces Sykes, and Rory Kockott will partner André Pretorius in the 9-10 channel, with Pat Lambie shifting to fullback.
Meanwhile, WP coach Allister Coetzee has included all his returning Boks in their starting line-up, with Jaque Fourie coming in to partner Juan de Jongh in the midfield with Jean de Villiers moving to wing. Bryan Habana is back in the No 11 jersey, Ricky Januarie surprisingly replaces Dewaldt Duvenage and Schalk Burger returns to the loose-trio.
Yip, Just read this great news. Very pleased about this.
Respect to JPP too for being so loyal, as we know there was supposed to be some big offers for him from Lions and Bulls.
Now hope that Kanko stays at the Sharks too. Read on rugby365 he loves living in Durbs. Says there is no where better to live. So maybe that is a indication that he will stay with the Sharks too.
Hi brudda
kanko is staying , again you read it here on Rugby-talk 😆
i told rob that time smitty wont leave and jpp wont leave and he laughed at me as did a fewq others
well who is laughing now?? 😉
Hi guys. Remember only the Bulls players are loyal so you cant say things like that :p
@ sharky_forever:Howzit brudda, Hope Kanko does stay, from what I read on rugby365 seems like his heart is in Durbs and probably will stay with the Sharks. Also hope that Rory stays. Know we have Hoffman coming but bigger squads needed next year so we should keep all our players if we can. I have only seen Hoffman play once or maybe twice this CC and only from the bench. So really not sure what to make of him yet. Most rate him though. Time will tell.
Also feel for Mapoe and really hope that can be sorted and he can finally be a Shark proper.
Just so pleased JPP is staying. One of my favourite players. Pleased to see Adi back for tomorrow. Just so wish I could be seeing this game. Really, really don’t feel up to this business trip. Especially that it comes now at the exciting part of the CC. So enjoy the game Sharky. I will try and log in here on Sunday from Perth to get the result.
See Lambie is playing FB tomorrow. Think maybe that is his best position but FH takes plenty time not just one CC season. Need to play there more than a year. Anyhow just pleased he is playing and we all know how well he can play at FB.
Our front row should be solid. Only game time they need. But still don’t see a worry there. Pity we don’t have Alberts but need him for next week. Now just hope we don’t pick up any injuries. Cause really we don’t have to play all of these players. I would have rested maybe a few more. Unless Plum wants a win.
@ Winston: 4 – Winnie…..hehehehe. 😀
@ sharky_forever:3 – Sharky, Forgot to say, good to see you doing threads here again.
Glad for the Sharks that JP Pietersen is staying put.
Really not sure why Duvenage was replaced for Ricky? Kinda strange really. I would have had Duvenage start for WP and bring in Ricky later off the bench.
@ grootblousmile:8 – gbs, Thanks boeta. I am too. Has been with the Sharks from such a young age, for me he is just a Durbs boy now. One of my favourite Shark players.
But to be honest I’m a bit suprised that he stayed on,I thought he would he would go to the Lions but I’m glad that I’m wrong 🙂
@ Winston:11 – Pleased you wrong Winnie. Sometimes money is not everything. Probably all his friends are here in Durbs and the lifestyle is still awesome.
Lions / Pumas game thread is now on.
thanks puma mate
i can tell you kanko will also be staying,
as to is rory
hiyas winnie ^5
dagse rudi my maat van yster en plaat ^5
15@ sharky_forever:
Hello Tjarky, my friend.
Grant in Bedfordview has been in contact with me…. wants a PC… will go see him Monday, worked out a very good quote for the fella.
@ sharky_forever:14 – Sharky, That will be great.
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