First my commiserations to all who suffered losses during the terrible floods in Limpopo, and Mpumalanga! The power of nature, though beautiful to behold, is humbling indeed. I hope that all affected, will soon have their lives returned to normal. Especially guys like Superbul in Hoedspruit.
In this, the penultimate article in the series that looks at contenders for the Cheetahs Super Rugby squad of 2012, I am going to look at the midfield. Things have been a tad quiet on Rugby-Talk. Come on people bring out the handbags!
Must say the Cheetahs seem to have more than useful cover in this position too.
The Contenders:
Andries Jacobus Strauss:
D.O.B: 05 March 1984
Vital statistics: (H) 186 cm (W) 94 kg
His claim: A member of the rugby Strauss clan (cousin Adriaan, and brother Richardt). Andries made his senior debut for the Cheetahs in 2003, in the u/20 ABSA Currie Cup. He has represented the Cheetahs at Vodacom Cup, Currie Cup and Super Rugby level. In 2004 he was selected as a Junior Bok to contest the IRB u/21 World Championship. Andries then signed for the Sharks in 2006, and he represented them till the end of 2010. He was also selected to play IRB 7’s in 2007. He made a name for himself in the CC final of 2010, where he single handedly tackled the WP into submission. He returned home in 2010, and is a stalwart for the Cheetahs at 12.
Strengths: A good distributor, a devastating defender, and a powerful runner, all the attributes of a good 12. His form has also been pretty consistent.
Weaknesses: None really
Bok potential: Imho, one of the better inside centers in SA. Uncapped Bok No. 827, he played one match on the 2010 EOY tour The competition is stiff, but not impossible. He is only 28, so he has a few years left. the competition will be stiff, with the likes of Frans Steyn, Hollenbach, Olivier, and Venter all vying for the same spot.
Phillipus Albertus Borman Snyman:
D.O.B: 26 March 1987
Vital statistics: (H) 188 cm (W) 98 kg
His claim: Another Grey Bloem success story. Phillip has represented the Cheetahs at u/18’s Craven Week in 2004, and at every level since. He was also part of the successful IRB 7’s Bok team in 2008/9. Phillip has been used as a utility back by the Cheetahs, and has played well at wing and centre. Last year he showed his ability, when Adriaan Strauss got injured, and is a very able replacement, and a very good player to have in the squad.
Strengths: A big lad at 98 kg, Phillip is fleet of foot, a good distributer, and a very strong runner. Nothing wrong with his defensive abilities either.
Weaknesses: None really.
Bok potential: Only 25, he has the pedigree, and the skills, so no reason why he cannot throw his name into the hat.
Albertus Daniel (Barry) Geel:
D.O.B: 30 April 1982
Vital statistics: (H) 185 cm (W) 92 kg
His claim: Barry made his senior debut for the Leopards in 2002, and he played for them in Vodacom and Currie cup till 2006, when he moved to Griquas. He has been a regular starter for Griquas, and has also played Super rugby for the Cheetahs. He got his big break when he had to mark Maá Nonu and then SBW in the match vs the Crusaders in Bloem last year. He played very well indeed, and the Cheetahs once again caused an upset.
Strengths: A strong runner, and very useful defender.
Weaknesses: None really
Bok potential: A tad long in the tooth, I would say unlikely, but a very useful player indeed.
Wilmaure Derrick Louw:
D.O.B: 02 February 1987
Vital statistics: (H) 183 cm (W) 88 kg
His claim: Born and bred in Griquas country, Wilmaure has represented Griquas from u/18 Craven Week in 2005, right up to Currie Cup. He has also had a few runs for the Cheetahs in Super rugby.
Strengths: A good defender, and useful defender.
Weaknesses: Not much to complain about. Useful player.
Bok potential: Unlikely, given the class of the contenders at 13 for the Boks.
Robert Thompson Ebersohn:
D.O.B: 23 February 1989
Vital statistics: (H) 180 cm (W) 87 kg
His claim: Another prodigious talent from the Grey Bloem factory. Robert, is the younger of the illstrious Ebersohn twins, but he made his senior mark earlier than Sias. Born and bred in Bloemfontein he has quite a career thus far. Cheetah u/16 at the Grant Khomo Week in 2005, Craven week for u/18’s in 2006/7, SA Schools 2007, Cheetahs u/19 2007, IRB Junior World Championship in 2008, Cheetahs Currie Cup debut in 2008. IRB Junior World Championship, and World Cup 7’s in 2009. And has also played Super Rugby. Due to his 7’s career, he has oddly enough never represented the Cheetahs at u/21 level.
Strengths: A very incisive runner, with loads of flair, and a good awareness of space. A good defender, and is quick to contest the tackle area.
Weaknesses: There are people that says his defence is suspect, I suggest they look closer.
Bok potential: A Junior Bok twice over, he is a very gifted player, and despite not being a particularly big man in modern terms, he is well able to compete at the highest level, as he has showmn time and again on the 7’s circuit. Yes, I know 7’s is not the 15 man game, but he has been cutting the mustard for the Cheetahs in Super rugby too.
Matthew Ryan Rosslee:
D.O.B: 24 February 1987
Vital statistics: (H) 184 cm (W) 91 kg
His claim: This talented player from Rondebosch is very versatile indeed. He only rose to prominence during the Varsity Cup, where he was often amongst the top scoresr. He made his provincial debut for WP u/21 and Vodacom Cup in 2008. In 2010, he was contracted by Dawie Theron, then coach of Griquas.
Strengths: A committed player, with great hands, and a neat pass.
Weaknesses: I need to see more of him in action to rate.
Bok potential: Only 25, so he can develop, but there are fine players in contention. His versatility will help, being a better than average flyhalf.
Jean Hermanus Stemmet:
D.O.B: 06 June 1986
Vital statistic”s: (H) 186 cm (w) 95 kg
His claim: Cape Town born, and Paarl Gymnasium schooled, Jean represented WP u/18 Academy team in 2004. He went on to play for WP in u/19, u/21 Vodacom Cup, and Currie Cup , till 2009. He then strangely enough fell out of favour with then coach Kobus van der Merwe, and was headhunted by Straueli at the Sharks. After one season at the Sharks in 2010, where we didn’t see much of him, he moved to Griquas in 2010.
Strengths: Haven’t seen enough to rate him.
Wildcards:
Werner Griesel:
D.O.B: 01 July 1986
Vital statistics: (H) 180 cm (W) 91 kg
His claim: Born in Welkom and having represented the Griffons at u/16, and u/18 level, Werner has been on the fringes of selection for the Cheetahs. He played 1 match in the 2011 Currie Cup. He has been mentioned often as a contender, but has yet to break into the top echelon at the Cheetahs franchise.
Thabang Molefe:
D.O.B: 06 June 1984
Vital Statistics: (H) 181 cm (W) 102 kg
His claim: Another 7’s Bok, that has been the proverbial rugby tourist. Thabang made his debut for the Bulls at u/20 level in 2004. He was a member of the Junior Boks that participated at the 2005 IRB Junior World Championship. He has also represented the Bulls at u/21 and Vodacom Cup level befoe moving across the Jukskei. He played Vodacom Cup, Currie Cup, and Super rugby for the Lions. He was also a member of the IRB 7’s Reserve squad. He moved to the Griffons via Griquas in 2009, where he has been a regular with team mate Griesel.
Walter (Karavan) Venter:
D.O.B: 07 August 1984
Vital statistics: (H) 180cm (W) 86 kg
His claim: A regular for the Lions in seasons past, Walter Venter has had quite a chequered rugby career. Golden lions u/18 Academy in 2001, Golden Lions Craven Week u/18 in 2002. walter went on to represent the Lions at u/20 in 2003, u/21, Vodacom Cup, Currie Cup, and Super Rugby. He has also played for the leopards and Valke. A powerful centre, and a very useful, and experienced player to be able to fall back on.
My Picks:
Wow! After so many players injured in 2011, the Cheetahs are spoilt for choice in the midfield, Yes, I know some people will say they are journeymne at best, but they are damn fine journeymen, and we all know how effective the Cheetahs can be with journeymen!.
At inside centre, I wouldn’t look past Andries Strauss, a devastating tackler, and good distributor. As back up, it’s a hard call to make between Phillip Snyman, and Geel, but I will go with Snyman. At outside centre, Robert Ebersohn has been there and done that for the Cheetahs. As backup, again hard to choose, not having seen much of Rosslee, and Stemmet. Still it is a pleasant surprise to see the depth the Cheetahs franchise have at their disposal. I mean a player of Walter Venter, and Thabang Molefe’s calibre, not even in the extended group.
So far the Cheetahs, have good depth right through the positions. Yes some haven’t made a name for themselves, some are classified as journeymen, but methinks there is something brewing in the land of the White Tornado!
Go Cheeeeeeetahs! Gooi Mielies, and faga 4×4!
Nice t-shirt
1 @ Snoek:
Mmmm ja, gladnie ‘n aaklige tepeltjie nie….. hehehehe
Very tittelating Article, thanks!
Cheetahs have bloody good centers.. Strauss & Ebersohn probably the starting pair, but in Walter (Karrevaan) Venter, Matthew Rossley and Jean Stemmet they have proper backup too!
Who’s chest is that anyway, I thought at first it may be Snymans, but on second though, Ebersohn’s? Whoever’s it, I think they need to work on those ab’s a bit, before season starts! If I didn’t know any better, I would have said it wasn’t even a man, hahaha, but that would just sound daft!
GBS, spoke to Angelique, so ball is rolling, thanks again.
Seems like Gallo Images SA have really put both feet in it today – released a photo of Rassi saying he will be announced as the technical advisor to the boks, and of course the paparazzi have really dined out on it. SARU trying to do some damage control, and Gallo Images SA have gone to ground!!!!
4@ Just For Kicks:though = thoughts
5 @ Just For Kicks:
Good, hope you guys work out something which is mutually beneficial.
Hehe my instincts prove to be correct! Boys will be boys! Thought my headline pic would make “eye-contact lol. I have it on good authority that it’s a requirement to pass the “button test” to be considered for the Cheetah Girls.
Seriously though, I was impressed with the few times I saw Phillip Snyman at 12. Between him and Geel, the inside centre is pretty covered. That leaves Stemmet, Rosslee and Louw to compete for the outside berth as back up to Ebersohn.
A backline of van Zyl, Goosen, Jansen, Strauss, Ebersohn, Benjamin, and Daniller could be quite lethal… Don,t think the defence will be comprimised either. A great contributer to the leaky defence last year was the lack of continuity in the centers due to injuries imo.
C4E thanks for the kind words, i was not financially affected, just helped a bit. There is incredible photos , taken from the air, funny how things like this are forgotten so quickly by non affected persons. It most definitely will leave a lasting scar on the ones who really suffered and is still suffering.
One must also remember the poor people who are now down the river, their problems are not over yet. The flood plains in Mozambique are now taking the knock.
Click on my name to go to my photo albums, there is some real great earial pictures(not that it is great scenes) some of natures best power shows.
@ Supa 9,
WOW amazing shots indeed. Yes, the resilience of people, when there is no time for frills, (read political infighting) is astounding. When it’s a matter of life and death, there is no time to fiddle with tenders lol.
The devastation caused, and the scars it leaves are not easily erased. I was in Swaziland with Demoina, and the devastation is terrible. And the possibility of more rain, and more floods, are still a threat. Man I never thought I would see Hoedspruit underwater like that.
Go in a good way!
Cheetah Greetings
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