The Sharks have swooped to secure the services of talented Western Province Under-20 flyhalf Tim Swiel.
rugby365
Swiel, a member of the victorious WP U20 side this season, has opted to accept an offer from the Sharks and will move to Durban.
However, Province feel they have sufficient cover – having contracted 2012 SA Schools flyhalf Ryno Eksteen, who is back to full fitness from a knee injury.
Furthermore, schoolboy flyhalves Brandon Thomson (SA Schools, 2013) and Ernst Stapelberg (the highly-rated No.10 from Eastern Province) are part of the star-studded Western Province Insitute intake for next year.
They will add to the selection options for the WP Under-19 and Under-21 teams in 2014.
Eksteen has two years of Under-21 rugby ahead of him, whilst Thompson and Stapelberg will be Under-19 in 2014.
Don’t blame him for moving, having been largely ignored at WP, but have to wonder if he will get any more game time with the Guppies. I do think, though, that he will be making his way north in the near future to stick a rose on his chest.
Whats this the Sharks and WP stock piling the young talented flyhalves do they not know the Blue Bulls have copyright on that
1 @ Just For Kicks:
Hi JFK South African rugby can’t be held to ransom by youngsters going away, there are only so many positions available so not everyone young talent will get a chance straight away. Anyway if that was really what he wanted to do he may need to join a long ling inEngland to get chosen. Lots of good flyhalfs in England at moment, maybe if he comes a bit further north…
@ Bullscot:Hey Bully, agree, but in the same breath SA rugby needs to make an environment conducive to making the players want to stay – at the moment, with the Spears/Lions debacle, that is just not happening. Anyway, thats besides the point. I have no problem with Swiel moving if there are enough f/halves at Province and he feels that to up his game, he needs to move on, but am just not sure, barring injury, that he will get much game time at the Sharks in the next season or two. Having spurned national honours at a lower level, he has kept his options open, and it is no secret that he has an eye on the north….After yesterdays England spectacle, I would envisage a call from brother Stuart very soon!!!
4 @ Just For Kicks:
Interesting didn’t know he had turned up the chance to play for SA, does Swiel have ancestral connection to England or would he have to wait for 3 years first if he did move? If its the latter then one would guess if these are his intentions that he would move sooner rather than later given that he is not hanging around at Province. Didn’t watch the test doesn’t sound like you are impressed with Farrell and Flood. Farrell can be so good on his day really has the ability to dictate from flyhalf and with him in the mix Saracens have turned into a team scoring loads of tries this season, maybe just some inconsistency from him. Flood is normally a good option too, pity the best one in my opinion is injured at moment, really rate Freddie Burns and then there is the young George Ford who has taken over at flyhalf at Bath who seems to be playing very well, so think England do have quite a few options at flyhalf.
@ Bullscot:Am happy with Flood, just think Farrell is not good enough. Also too hot headed. Need a calm figure at pivot. Good to see some of the other guys doing so well. I think, unless I am mistaken, Swiel has English heritage (wasn’t he born un UK?) and can thus play immediately
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