The 8th and last Article in the set discussing the Sharks Super Rugby players for 2012.

In this Article we look at the contenders for the BACK THREE (WINGS & FULLBACKS) in the Sharks 2012 Super Rugby group, and what their worth will be in Super Rugby terms.

The Contenders:

Name: Lwazi Ncedo (Lwazi) Mvovo

Date of Birth: 03/06/1986
Place of Birth: Umtata
Position: Wing
Height: 1.85 m
Weight: 91 kg
High School: Maria Louw High
Club: Varsity College Old Boys

He was schooled at Maria Louw High School. His debut for the Natal Sharks was in 2008 against Boland.

He made his Provincial debut for the Sharks against Boland in 2008 and his Super Rugby debut against the Lions in 2010.

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.

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 he showed strength and stamina to test the Australian defense for the full 80 minutes.

Mvovo then appeared against New Zealand in Wellington in the number 11 birth.

One of the most recent Sharks Academy boys to have made it all the way to Springbok level via The Sharks and a bright future looks certain to continue for the speedy winger. A deadly finisher who is able to combine pace, acceleration and pure power to score important tries for The Sharks.

Name: Odwa Nzuzo (Odwa) Ndungane

Date of Birth: 20/02/1981
Place of Birth: Umtata
Position: Wing
Height: 1.84 m
Weight: 96 kg
High School: Hudson Park High
Club: Varsity College Old Boys

Twin brother of the Bulls’ winger Akona, Odwa has enjoyed the fruits of his hard work and with regular selection thanks to his consistent good form, his game has grown to the state where he is reliability encapsulated. Sound under the high ball and a strong runner on attack, he always lends an air of dependability to the Sharks be it on defence or attack. His outstanding form was finally rewarded when he was selected to represent the Springboks.

He made his Test debut against Italy in a 26-0 victory in Cape Town in 2008.

Odwa made his Provincial debut for the Border Bulldogs against the SWD Eagles in 2000 and made his Super Rugby debut for the Sharks against the Bulls in 2004.

A committed team man who continues to deliver impressive and dependable performances for The Sharks each year. He has a strong work-rate on the field, a player consistently looking for work and a wing who never shies away from the action. A solid and safe player who brings an air of composure to the backline.

Tours: British Isles in 2008, France, Italy, Ireland & England in 2009, Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in 2011.

Name: Jon-Paul Roger (JP) Pietersen

Date of Birth: 12/07/86
Place of Birth: Cape Town
Position: Fullback/Wing
Height: 1.90 m
Weight: 102 kg
High School: HS Generaal Hertzog
Club: Fidelity Security Jaguars

Pietersen was educated at the Hoërskool Generaal Hertzog in Witbank, but 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 after the Under 21 World Championship 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. However, Pietersen’s weaknesses include his occasional susceptibility to poor handling, being particularly frail protecting the “high ball” and often “knocking on” in seemingly innocuous situations, a penchant which has often led to him being chastised by the local media and fans alike. Despite this, Pietersen remains a firm fan favourite for the unpredictable and exciting dimension his play brings to the team. 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 then found his role as play-maker in the Sharks team divided as either wing or fullback.

He was selected into the Springbok 2007 Rugby World Cup squad. Starting in the first two matches, Pietersen scored three tries. He was impressive in the game against England, scoring two tries and setting up a third.

The top try-scorer in the 2007 Super 14 failed to score even one in 2008, a fact acknowledged by both AJ Venter and Stefan Terblanche in the October 2008 edition of SA Sports Illustrated.

However, post World Cup Pietersen went on to establish the most capped wing combination in Springbok history with Bryan Habana, standing currently at 25 tests. Ten more than next best, James Small and Jaques Olivier. Aside from his obvious attacking abilities, Pietersen is widely regarded for his outstanding defense. 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. He was a key figure in the Springbok World Cup campaign in New Zealand in 2011.

One of the first stars to come through the ranks of Sharks Academy, Pietersen has proven himself year after year. JP continues to produce quality performances for The Sharks and Springboks. He has appeared in two Rugby World Cup campaigns (with one winners’ medal) despite only being in his early 20’s and has amassed 108 Sharks caps which would be more were it not for his Springbok commitments.

Tours: Ireland & England in 2006, Ireland & Scotland in 2007, Rugby World Cup in France in 2007, Wales & Scotland in 2007, Wales & England in 2007, British Isles in 2008, France, Italy, Ireland & England in 2009, Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in 2011.
Honours: SA Rugby Young Player of the Year nominee in 2005 & 2006.

Name: Sibusiso Sithole

Date of Birth: 14/06/1990
Place of Birth: Johannesburg
Position: Wing
Height: 1.82 m
Weight: 94 kg
High School: Queens College
Club: Bluff Superspar Harlequins

Of course, who will ever forget the memorable try Sibusiso Sithole scored for the Blitzbokke last year at the Edinburgh leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series, winning a Final at the death for the Blitzbokke against Australia.

A powerful runner with the ability to cut and pass his marker, S’Bura made his name as a Sevens player. Adds good value to The Sharks attacking arsenal out wide and we might see quite a bit of this man in 2012, with the planned move of J P Pietersen to outside centre.

Name: Riaan Viljoen

Date of Birth: 01/04/1983
Place of Birth: Carletonville
Position: Fullback / flyhalf
Height: 1.85m
Weight: 97kg
High School: Klerksdorp
Club: Goss & Balfe Crusaders

He was born in Carletonville, South Africa and his first tour with the Springboks was to France, Italy, Ireland and England in late 2009 where he played in two tour matches. All indications are that he’ll be the preferred option as starting fullback over rival Louis Ludik.

Blessed with a massive boot and an ability to play at either fullback or flyhalf, Viljoen who has represented the Cheetahs at Super Rugby level and Griquas in the Currie Cup, brings versatility, skill and experience to the Sharks where he was signed at the end of last season ahead of 2012. His contribution, especially on attack, is expected to be hugely valuable while he offers much in the kicking department.

Riaan played for the Valke in 2006 & 2007, GWK Griquas in the Vodacom Cup and Currie Cup in 2008 to 2011, the Royal XV against the British & Irish Lions in 2009, Springboks in 2009 and the Cheetahs in Super Rugby in 2009 to 2011.

Name: Louis Ludik

Date of Birth: 08/10/86
Place of Birth : Kempton Park
Position: Fullback
Height: 1.83m
Weight: 92kg
High School: EG Jansen Hoer Skool
Club: Acer Duban Collegians

Louis was one of 2 Lions players who joined the Sharks after contractual flaws were exposed in their contracts at the Golden Lions Rugby Union (Willem Alberts as the other), not endearing him to Lions fans at all, but this solid Fullback deserved to play in a structured side where his future was more secure.

When Louis joined the Sharks, he had torn ligaments in his knee in the Lions game against the British & Irish Lions in their tour to South Africa in 2009. He spent 8 months in rehabilitation.

He made himself a regular starter for the Sharks since, in both the Currie Cup as well as Super Rugby.

He will be looking to make 2012 a big 2012 season, but faces stiff opposition from Riaan Viljoen as first choice starter at fullback. A solid, safe and exciting fullback who enjoys counterattacking but gives everything on defence as well. Dependable under the high ball, he has all the attributes necessary for the fullback position.

Additional Players:

Young Gouws Prinsloo is waiting in the background as extra cover for the fullback berth and as we’ve mentioned in the Article dealing with flyhalves, Patrick Lambie could be used at fullback too if needed.

Starters:

The probable starters will be Lwazi Mvovo (Left Wing), Sibusiso Sithole (Right Wing) and Riaan Viljoen (Fullback). J P Pietersen will most probably be used as outside centre and not at wing as we have become used to seeing him play. The bench will probably contain Louis Ludik and old man Odwa Ndungane.

This was the LAST article in the range dealing with the Sharks, the remaing Articles will have to deal with the rest of the Lions contenders.