This is the 8th and last article in the series of Cell C Sharks Squad Contenders for Super Rugby 2014. We do 2 articles per week per South African Super Rugby participating franchise.
We discuss the players IN the Super Rugby Group, and not all the options beyond that.
In this Article we look at the contenders for BACK THREE in the Cell C Sharks 2014 Super Rugby group, and whether they could force their way into Bok contention.
The Contenders:
Name: Lwazi Ncedo “Lwazi” Mvovo:
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Lwazi Mvovo is a product of Gledys King Primary School and Maria Louw High School.
He played Craven Week and Under 19 rugby for Border in 2004 and 2005 before moving to the Sharks from 2006. From 2006 to 2009 he played on various levels for The Sharks, from Under 21 to Vodacom Cup, to Currie Cup Premier Division
His senior debut for the Natal Sharks was on 27 June 2008 against Boland in Durban.
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 tries.
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 showed strength and stamina to test the Australian defense for the full 80 minutes. His 100m time was 10.32 seconds. He then appeared against New Zealand in Wellington as No 11.
Lwazi Mvovo has proven to be one of the fastest players in South Africa, outstripping opponents as he scored a number of long range tries for The Sharks in Vodacom Super Rugby during the last few seasons. The powerfully-built winger from the Eastern Cape has been a star and narrowly missed out on Rugby World Cup selection in 2011. Apart from speed, he is also strong on defence and has developed his kicking and chasing game a lot in 2012 and 2013.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2004 – Border – U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week, Border Bulldogs – ABSA U20 Competition Section B
- 2005 – Border – SA U19 Competition
- 2006 – KZN – ABSA Under 21 Competition, Kwa-Zulu Natal – Inter-Provincial Sevens Competition for men
- 2007 – Wildebeest squad member – Vodacom Cup, SA Amateur – Africa Cup Pool South, Sharks – ABSA Under 21 Competition
- 2008 – Wildebeest – Vodacom Cup, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2009 – Sharks – MTN test, Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, Sharks – British & Irish Lions Tour, Sharks Invitational XV – ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2010 – Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – Outgoing Tours
- 2011 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Springboks – Castle Tri-Nations, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2012 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Springboks – Castle Incoming Tours, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – The Rugby Championship, Springboks – Castle Outgoing Tours
- 2013 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Springboks – Castle Lager Incoming Series, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
Lwazi is there and thereabouts on National level and will certainly make the Sharks starting lineup at No 11 (left wing).
Name: Odwa Nzuzo “Odwa” Ndungane:
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Odwa Ndungane is the twin brother of former Springbok wing Akona Ndungane who plays his rugby at the Bulls and is a product of St. Patricks Primary School, Hudson Park High School and Eastern Cape Technikon.
He started his career in 1999 at Border from Under 21 and Vodacom Cup levels and also represented South Africa at Under 21 level at the IRB Under 21 World Cup in 2002. He played Bankfin Currie Cup rugby for Border in 2002 and ABSA Currie Cup First Division rugby in 2003.
Surprisingly I read that he also went up to the Bulls initially, where he played Super 12 rugby in 2004, represented the Vodacom Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup and also played for South Africa A in their Outgoing Tour of that year.
2005 Was the year he moved to the Sharks where he has played on all levels for them and is still plying his trade there.
In 2007 he made the Springbok squad as a squad member but only played his 1st Test on 21 June 2008 against Italy. He has 9 Test Caps and has played a further 3 Tour Games for the Springboks, the last of which was on 17 September 2011 vs Fiji at the Rugby World Cup in 2011.
His playing career is as follows:
- 1999 – Border – Bankfin Under 21
- 2000 – Border – Bankfin Under 21
- 2001 – Spoornet Bulldogs – Vodacom Cup
- 2002 – Border – Vodacom Cup, South Africa – IRB U21 World Cup, Border – Bankfin Under 21, Spoornet Bulldogs – Bankfin Currie Cup
- 2003 – Spoornet Bulldogs – Vodacom Shield, Spoornet Bulldogs – ABSA Currie Cup Qualifying Rounds, Spoornet Bulldogs – ABSA Currie Cup First Division
- 2004 – Bulls – Vodacom Super 12, Blue Bulls – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, South Africa A – South Africa A Outgoing Tour
- 2005 – Sharks – Vodacom Super 12, Natal Wildebeest – Vodacom Cup, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Qualifying Round, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2006 – Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2007 – Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, Wildebeest – Vodacom Cup, Springboks squad member – Vodacom Incoming Tours, SA Emerging – IRB Nations Cup, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2008 – Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, Springboks – Vodacom Incoming Tours, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – Vodacom Tri-Nations, Springboks – Vodacom Outgoing Tour
- 2009 – Sharks – MTN test, Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, Springboks – British & Irish Lions Tour, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – Vodacom Tri-Nations, Springboks – Vodacom Outgoing Tour
- 2010 – The Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – Outgoing Tours
- 2011 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Springboks – Castle Tri-Nations, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – IRB Rugby World Cup 2011
- 2012 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2013 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
Odwa is getting extremely long in the tooth, much like his brother Akona at the Bulls but Jake White seems to have faith in Odwa, having named his as one of 3 Vice-Captains in the Sharks Super Rugby group for 2014.
Name: Jon-Paul Roger “JP” Pietersen:
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JP Pietersen is a product of Cloetesville Primary School in Stellenbosch and General Hertzog High School in Witbank.
He started his career in 2004 for Mpumalanga in the Under 18 Craven Week and the @lantic Pumas in the ABSA Under 20 Competition but moved to the Sharks for the 2005 season.
He 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 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. 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 now finds his role as playmaker in the Sharks team divided as either wing or fullback.. and i 2013 as outsice centre.
He was selected for the Springboks 2007 Rugby World Cup squad, starting in the first 2 matches and in the process scored 3 tries. He was impressive in the game against England, scoring 2 tries and setting up a third.
The top try-scorer in the 2007 Super 14 failed to score even one in 2008.
However, post 2007 World Cup Pietersen went on to establish the most capped wing combination in Springbok history with Bryan Habana, standing currently at 25 Tests, 10 more than next best between James Small and Jaques Olivier. Aside from his obvious attacking abilities, Pietersen is widely regarded for his outstanding defence, with 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.
In April 2013, it was announced that he would play for Panasonic Wild Knights in the 2013–14 Top League in Japan, meaning he missed out on The Sharks’ 2013 Currie Cup Premier Division campaign, but will return to the Sharks for the 2014 Super Rugby season.
Pietersen was called up for the Springboks’ 2011 Rugby World Cup campaign, starting the first game in a 17–16 victory for the Springboks. South Africa then thrashed Fiji 49–3 with Pietersen this time playing on the left wing. Pietersen did not play when South Africa thrashed Namibia 87–0. He started again on the right wing as South Africa squeezed past Samoa 13–5. South Africa were then through to the quarter-finals of the World Cup but got knocked out by the Wallabies, 11–9.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2004 – Mpumalanga – U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week, @lantic Pumas – ABSA U20 Competition Section B
- 2005 – The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Qualifying Round, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2006 – Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, South Africa – IRB Under 21 World Championship, Springboks – Vodacom Tri-Nations, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, South Africa Invitational XV – Vodacom Outgoing Tours, Springboks – Vodacom Outgoing Tours
- 2007 – Springboks – World Cup warm-up matches, Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, Wildebeest – Vodacom Cup, Springboks – Vodacom Incoming Tours, Springboks – Vodacom Tri-Nations, Springboks – Vodacom Outgoing Tour, Springboks – IRB Rugby World Cup 2007
- 2008 – Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, Springboks – Vodacom Incoming Tours, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – Vodacom Tri-Nations, Springboks – Vodacom Outgoing Tour
- 2009 – Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, Springboks – British & Irish Lions Tour, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – Vodacom Tri-Nations, Springboks – Vodacom Outgoing Tour
- 2010 – Sharks – Vodacom Super 14, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – Vodacom Tri-Nations
- 2011 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Springboks – Castle Tri-Nations, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – IRB Rugby World Cup 2011
- 2012 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Springboks – Castle Incoming Tours, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks – Castle Outgoing Tours
- 2013 – Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, Springboks – Castle Lager Outgoing Tour, Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan
The loping style of JP Pietersen will be needed on the right wing in 2014.
Name: Sibusiso Camagu Thokozani “S’bura” Sithole:
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S’bura Sitole is a product of Queens Primary School, Queen’s College and Varsity College.
He started his career at Border where he played Under 16 Grant Khomo Week in 2006 and Border Craven Week in 2008 as well as Under 18 Elite Squads for SA and SA Schools.
In 2009 he moved to the Sharks and played Under 19 rugby. In 2010 he made his senior debut for the Sharks XV in Vodacom Cup, played Under 21 rugby and represented South Africa at the IRB Junior World Championships. In addition he played for the Blitzbokke in Dubai and George in 2010.
In 2011 he played for all senior sides at the Sharks, including Currie Cup Premier Division.
In 2012 he was included in the Sharks Super Rugby squad but made his debut in Super Rugby only in 2013 (2 games). In 2013 he represented South Africa at the IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2006 – Border – U16 Coca Cola Grant Khomo Week
- 2008 – South Africa – SA Schools, South Africa U18 Elite Squads, Border – U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week
- 2009 – Sharks – ABSA Under 19 Competition
- 2010 – Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, South Africa – IRB Junior World Championships, Sharks – ABSA Under 21 Competition, South Africa – HSBC Sevens World Series (Dubai & George)
- 2011 – Sharks XV Vodacom Cup, Sharks XV – ABSA Currie Cup Compulsary Friendlies, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Sharks – ABSA Under 21 Competition
- 2012 – Sharks squad member – Vodacom Super Rugby, Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2013 – Sharks XV, Vodacom Cup, Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, South Africa – IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
S’Bura is like a Subaru… pun intended, wanting to break loose, shake off the shackles and run wild and free, has huge potential and 2014 might be his year.
Name: Sean Jack “Sean” Robinson:
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Sean Robinson is a product of Garsfontein Primary School and Waterkloof High School in Pretoria.
He represented Blue Bulls in 2009 (Under 16), 2010 and 2011 (Under 18) at various youth weeks. He then joined the Natal Sharks in 2012, scoring 30 points in his 13 appearances in the 2012 Under 19 Currie Cup Competition.
He was included in the Sharks senior squad for the 2013 Vodacom Cup and made his first class debut on 5 April 2013 in their Vodacom Cup match against the SWD Eagles, scoring the winning try in the 70th minute of the game. Five days later, he was named in the starting line-up for the Sharks for their Super Rugby game against the Stormers.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2009 – Blue Bulls – U18 Coca-Cola Grant Khomo Week
- 2010 – Blue Bulls – U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week
- 2011 – Blue Bulls – U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week, South Africa – SA Schools
- 2012 – Sharks – ABSA Under 19 Competition
- 2013 – Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, Sharks – Vodacom Super Rugby, The Sharks – ABSA Under 21 Competition, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
Sean has almost had a brief wonder career, with immediate elevation from 1 Vodacom Cup game and into Super Rugby and ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division rugby, but in 2014 might find the competition stronger as the likelyhood of as many backline injuries as in 2013 is highly unlikely.
Name: Sarel Pretorius “SP” Marais:
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SP Marais is a product of Durbanville Primary School and Paarl Boys High School.
He played for the Boland Cavaliers in youth competitions and was part of the 2009 Vodacom Cup squad, without making a senior appearance. He then moved to Potchefstroom in 2010, where he played 4 matches for the Pukke in the 2010 Varsity Cup competition.
He also played for the Leopards Under 21 team during the 2010 Under 21 Competition.
Although he didn’t play any games for the Leopards during the 2010 Currie Cup season, his made his first class senior debut in the Leopards’ first relegation play-off match against the SWD Eagles, scoring his first try within a minute of his debut when he came on as a first-half blood replacement and a second try right before the end of the match. He maintained his try-scoring exploits in the following match, scoring another try in the return leg to help keep the Leopards in the 2011 Currie Cup Premier Division.
It was then announced that he moved to the Eastern Province Kings for the 2011 Currie Cup First Division season. He remained with them for 3 seasons, making 36 appearances for them in the Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup competitions in 2011 and 2012. He reached the top 10 in the scoring charts for the 2011 Currie Cup First Division, scoring 10 tries and 2 conversions during the season. He firmly established himself as the first choice fullback, starting 15 of their 16 matches in the 2012 Currie Cup First Division season and also started their match in the First Division final, which the Kings won 26–25 to win their second First Division title in 3 seasons.
In 2013, he was also named in the Southern Kings squad for the 2013 Super Rugby season. He made his Super Rugby debut for them in their first ever Super Rugby match, a 22–10 victory over Australian side the Force in Port Elizabeth. After starting the first 3 matches of the season, he missed the next 7 due to a knee injury. He returned to make a further 5 appearances, as well as playing in both legs of the Southern Kings’ Super Rugby Promotion / Relegation play-offs against the MTN Lions, which saw the Southern Kings lose their Super Rugby status for 2014.
He joined the exodus of players leaving the Southern Kings after their defeat to the MTN Lions, joining Durban-based side The Sharks for the 2013 Currie Cup Premier Division season. He made his debut in their second match of the season against the MTN Golden Lions and immediately established himself as their first-choice fullback, starting all the remaining games of the season and scoring 4 tries. He was also in the starting fifteen for the Currie Cup final, which the Sharks won 33–19 against Western Province.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2008 – Boland – ABSA Under 19 Competition
- 2009 – Boland Cavaliers squad member – Vodacom Cup, Boland – ABSA Under 21 Competition
- 2010 – Pukke – Varsity Cup, Leopards – ABSA Under 21 Competition, Leopards – ABSA Currie Cup Promotion / Relegation
- 2011 – EP Kings – Vodacom Cup, South African Kings – IRB Nations Cup, EP Kings – ABSA Currie Cup First Division
- 2012 – EP Kings – Vodacom Cup, EP Kings – ABSA Currie Cup First Division, EP Kings – ABSA Currie Cup Promotion / Relegation
- 2013 – Southern Kings – Vodacom Super Rugby, EP Kings – ABSA Currie Cup First Division, Southern Kings – Super Rugby Promotion / Relegation, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
SP Marais is an investment for the future and it would not surprise me in the least if he makes the Springbok side before the World Cup in 2015.
Name: Sizophila Sabelo “Sizo” Maseko:
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Sizo Maseko is a product of Ermelo Primary School, Ermelo High School and University of Stellenbosch.
He represented the Pumas at the 2008 and 2009 Under 18 Craven Week competitions, resulting in a call-up to the Under 18 Elite squad in 2008 and the SA Schools team in 2009. He also represented the Pumas Under 19 team in the 2008 and 2009 Under 19 Currie Cup competition.
He joined Western Province in 2010 and played for their Under 19 team in the Under 19 Currie Cup competition. He was named in their squad for the 2011 Vodacom Cup, but did not make an appearance. He did play for Western Province in the 2011 Under 21 Currie Cup. He was named in the Maties squad for the 2012 Varsity Cup competition, but also failed to make an appearance for them.
He then joined Durban-based side The Sharks and represented their Under 21 side in the 2012 Under 21 Currie Cup.
His senior team debut came in the 2013 Vodacom Cup. He was named in the Sharks XV starting line-up in the first game of the season against the Border Bulldogs and scored 2 tries early in the second half to help them to a 72–6 victory. He started all 8 matches in the competition and weighed in with a further 3 tries.
His Currie Cup debut came later in the same year, when he was included in The Sharks starting team to face Griquas in the opening match of the 2013 Currie Cup Premier Division season.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2008 – Pumas – U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week, South Africa – U18 Elite Squads, Mpumalanga – ABSA Under 19 Competition
- 2009 – Pumas – U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week, South Africa – SA U18 High Performance, South Africa – SA Schools U18, Pumas – ABSA Under 19 Competition
- 2010 – Western Province – ABSA Under 19 Competition
- 2011 – DHL Western Province squad member – Vodacom Cup, Western Province – ABSA Under 21 Competition
- 2012 – Maties squad member – Varsity Cup, Sharks – ABSA Under 21 Competition
- 2013 – Sharks XV – Vodacom Cup, The Sharks – ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
Sizo is a possible break-through candidate for 2014.
Starters:
In addition to the above there is also Andre Esterhuizen and Tyler Fisher and Tim Swiel to consider (not so much as Back Three members, but as Utility backs) and although Hansie Graaff was listed as a Flyhalf in one of the previous articles, he is a good option at fullback too.
The Sharks will most probably start with Lwazi Mvovo at No 11 (left wing), JP Pietersen at No 14 (right wing) and SP Marais at No 15 (fullback) but one certainly feels that S’Bura Sithole and Sean Robinson will get some game time and both would be good bench options.
Sizo Maseko only has a very distant outside chance to be included in the squad, even the broader squad.
This was the last Article in the series dealing with the Cell C Sharks.
I don’t get the love for Mvovo. He is just bloody avetage.
GBS
I notice that you have omitted Tim Swiel from your contenders in the back 3 as well as fly half.
What was the point of White poaching the laaitie if he is not planning to play him?
This kid has too much talent not to be in the picture IMO and it still hurts when I think that the Stormers allowed him to go.
2 @ nortierd:
It is not so much me omitting Tim Swiel, we just decided, before starting with the Squad Contender Articles that we would LIMIT the names for each position to a certain amount (considering which position or grouped positions). In other words limiting it to those most likely to play.
All the players we discussed or indicated to be contenders might not even make the final Super Rugby squads of 32 players per franchise, but the season is long and there is bound to be some injuries and some players not making the grade… so these lists will be flexible.
You’ll see in the article, under the heading Starters I mention Swiel and a few others, so I did not forget about him.
Will have to see how things go, we can always alter an Article or a set of Articles. Also remember that to a large degree these articles are opinion pieces by me and Timothy, and we might see it a bit different from how the coaches or you guys out there see it.
… but damn man, it was a heap of work producing each Squad Contender Article, lots of facts to assimilate in one article…
Who / what is a Tim Swiel?
4 @ Loosehead:
A Junior flyhalf the WP okes… and now the Sharks okes will rave about… and that’s about where it will end too.
3@GBS
Thanks, see you guys put in a lot of effort.
4@Loosehead
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kYT56lzoMAs
5@GBS
Swiel is the real deal. Province should never have allowed him to go, unlike Pollard who is being shown up somewhat.
The only question mark with Swiel is that he is keeping his options open by not accepting the Junior Bok jersey to stay eligible for England should he wish to go there.
6 @ nortierd:
Well, let’s see how he goes… cream always rises to te top.
@ nortierd:
@ grootblousmile:
I have to agree regarding the player. He is a talent and there is no doubt regarding this. The problem however is the following.
Here at RT we are neutral and objective regarding players. So yes is he a top 5 flyhalf………for sure. Could he play in the Springbok side in the next year or two………for sure.
The problem is not us, the problem is the coaching staff at the various provinces. To give you a clear indication of this is as follows. Dimitri Catrakilis is currently the best flyhalf in the Stormers squad, the bad news is that Peter Grant will most likely play most games due to favouritism.
At the Sharks for example you have a young talented flyhalf in Zeilinga……..he will however be picked behind Pat Lambie due to the fact that Lambie is a Bok. Lambie for example is forced into the Springbok squad at fullback not even a regular position he plays just because of favouritism.
Politics in rugby remains a big problem. This is what made these articles so difficult, we could have gone and mentioned all the players that actually deserve to be in the starting line-up but we also have to list the players that will be picked.
And it is likely that we will lose Tim Swiel to England as you mentioned because he will never get the chance to prove himself at BIG rugby levels like the Super 15 ext. We have already lost so much players due to this. The other sad reality of the matter is that younger players will always be picked behind the likes of Morne Steyn because he has a Springbok contract. The same with Frans Steyn who has a Springbok contract. Both players who are currently way of form. Not to mention players playing on their fathers and grandfathers reputations like Pienaar.
6 @ nortierd:
He can accept a Junior Bok jersey AND STILL play for England at senior level. (Refer Clyde Rathbone and Australia).
Only one you’ve played for the senior National side are you then “locked in” to that country.
As far as I’m aware. but stand to be corrected, that rule even applies to national 7’s.
9 @ Scrumdown:
Hi Scrumdown think you are correct in Tim Swiel’s case as it depends on which team the country declares as its ‘second team’, so in the case of South Africa we have had the Emerging Springboks and as far as I understand it if they are declared to be South Africa’s next representative senior team after the Springboks then playing for the Emerging Springboks would tie you to South Africa. Its the same for us up here with Scotland A and am sure for England Saxons etc. Scotland though got fingers burnt when they called up flyhalf Steven Shingler (who was at London Irish at the time) a few seasons ago as he has Scottish mother and other relatives etc BUT Wales blocked the move as he had played U20 for Wales against France U20, apparently both Wales and France had declared their U20’s as their next representative team and so eventually via appeal at IRB the Wales stance was upheld and Shingler never played for Scotland. He eventually got picked to go mid year last year in a severely depleted Wales team on their tour of Japan, as far as I am aware though he has not been picked for Wales since then. You can read about his initial inclusion for Scotland here – http://www.rugby-talk.com/2012/01/scotlands-rbs-6-nations-squad/#more-40041 and then the IRB ruling here – http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/18084984
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