The 5th Article in the set discussing the Southern Kings.

In this Article we look at the contenders for SCRUMHALVES in the Southern Kings 2013 Super Rugby group, and what their worth will be in Super Rugby terms.

The Contenders:

Name: Nicolás Vergallo:

Position Scrumhalf Height 1.68 Weight 81 Date of Birth 20 April 1983 Place of Birth Rosario, Argentina Provincial Debut 2004 for Jockey Club de Rosario Provincial Caps 71 Caps for Dax & Toulouse Provincial Points 18 Super Rugby Debut Super Rugby Caps 0 Super Rugby Points 0 Test Debut 2005 for Argentina vs Samoa 3 Dec 2005 Test Caps 31 Test Points 0

He played for Jockey Club de Rosario in Argentina between 2004 and 2008. He then moved to France, where he played for Dax, making 47 appearances.

After playing for Dax, he then signed for Top 14 team Toulouse, winning the 2010–11 and 2011–12 Top 14 seasons. In October 2012, Toulouse announced that it had released Vergallo from his contract, which was supposed to end in 2014. This freed him up to sign with the Port Elizabeth-based Super Rugby franchise, the Southern Kings.

He made his debut for Argentina on 3 Dec 2005 against Samoa. He also played in the 2011 Rugby World Cup. In 2012 Vergallo was part of the Pumas team that played in the inaugural Rugby Championship.

Name: Scott Mathie:

Position Scrumhalf Height 1.80 Weight 85 Date of Birth 1 February 1983 Place of Birth Durban Provincial Debut 2006 for the Sharks Provincial Caps 128 Provincial Points 50 Super Rugby Debut 2006 for the Sharks Super Rugby Caps 5 Super Rugby Points 0 Test Debut Test Caps 0 Test Points 0

Scott Mathie made his professional debut for the Sharks in the Currie Cup back in 2006 and is still highly-rated in South Africa by a number of provincial coaches.

As well as playing in the Currie Cup, Mathie enjoyed a handful of Super Rugby appearances for the Durban-based franchise before making the switch to the Premiership.

A typically strong and determined No 9, Mathie moved to England with Leeds in 2008, helping them win promotion in his first season at Headingley. Mathie was an ever-present for Niel Back’s side in the years to follow, especially in 2010, when he caught the eye of Sale Sharks’ Steve Diamond who had no hesitation in recruiting the Leeds star for the 2011 season.

He joined the Eastern Province Kings in 2012.

Name: Johan David (Johan)Herbst:

Position Scrumhalf Height 1.77 Weight 93 Date of Birth 18 May 1987 Place of Birth Stellenbosch Provincial Debut 2011 for GWK Griquas Provincial Caps 22 Provincial Points 60 Super Rugby Debut Super Rugby Caps 0 Super Rugby Points 0 Test Debut Test Caps 0 Test Points 0

Johan currently plays for SWD Eagles in the Vodacom Cup and Currie Cup First Division. He plays scrumhalf but can also cover wing.

He played for Maties in the 2009 and 2010 Varsity Cup competitions.

Name: Shaun Venter:

Position Scrumhalf Height 1.83 Weight 85 Date of Birth 16 March 1987 Place of Birth Witbank Provincial Debut 2007 for the Pumas Provincial Caps 102 Provincial Points 135 Super Rugby Debut Super Rugby Caps 0 Super Rugby Points 0 Test Debut Test Caps 0 Test Points 0

Shaun Venter is currently on a 1-year loan deal from the Pumas to the Southern Kings for Super Rugby.

He has come through the ranks at the Pumas, representing them at Under 19 in the ABSA Under 19 Competition and at Under 21 in the ABSa Under 21 Competition, both in 2006.

In 2007 to 2009 he played for the Pumas in the Vodacom Cup and ABSA Currie Cup First Division and in 2010 and 2011 for the same team in the Currie Cup Premier Division. In 2012 the Pumas were in the ABSa Currie Cup First Division again.

In 2009 he also represented South Africa at the IRB Sevens Series in George.

In 2012 he represented the SA Barbarians North during England’s tour to South Africa.

Starters:

Nicolás Vergallo should be the premier scrumhalf for the Southern Kings and my guess is that Scott Mathie will also get some game time. The other two scrumhalves are there simply to fill spots on a roster.

The next Article in the range will deal with the Southern Kings Flyhalves.