Currie Cup latest (Thurs)
Keo.co.za brings you the news from the Currie Cup.
Kanko back for Sharks
Ryan Kankowski is one of three changes to the Sharks team to play the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
Kankowski’s promotion sees Keegan Daniel shift to the flank, while Steve Meyer has overcome his ankle injury to start at flyhalf. Alistair Hargreaves is not so lucky, with his calf ailment seeing Ross Skeate start his first game for the Sharks.
Sharks – 15 Louis Ludik, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Stefan Terblanche (c), 12 Patrick Lambie, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Steve Meyer, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Keegan Daniel, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Ross Skeate, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Craig Burden, 1 Patric Cilliers.
Subs: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 Eugene van Staden, 19 Willem Alberts, 20 Jean Deysel, 21 Ruan Pineaar, 22 Andries Strauss.
Lions call up Jantjies
Elton Jantjies, 19, will start his first Currie Cup match for the Lions when they play the Bulls at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Herkie Kruger has dropped out of the squad due to the SA U20 flyhalf’s call-up, with Carlos Spencer promoted to the bench. The Kiwi player/coach will play his first Currie Cup match if used. Doppies la Grange returns from injury, while up front captain Franco van der Merwe is used at lock, with David Bulbring dropping to the bench.
Trevor Hall completes his comeback from Biarritz as he’ll start on the blindside flank, while Ross Geldenhuys drops to the bench as Kevin Buys starts at tighthead.
Lions – 15. Jaco Taute, 14. Deon van Rensburg, 13. Waylon Murray, 12. Doppies la Grange, 11. Michael Killian, 10. Elton Jantjies, 9. Jano Vermaak, 8. Warren Whiteley, 7. Trevor Hall, 6. Derek Minnie, 5. Franco van der Merwe, 4. George Earle, 3. Kevin Buys, 2. Martin Bezuidenhout, 1. JC Janse van Rensburg.
Subs: 16. Edgar Marutlulle, 17. Ross Geldenhuys, 18. David Bulbring, 19. Jaco Kriel, 20. Chris Jonck, 21. Carlos Spencer, 22. Marius Delport
Pienaar to join Ulster early
Ruan Pienaar will leave the Sharks before the Currie Cup ends as his contract with Ulster starts on 1 September.
Pienaar will complete his move to Ravenhill in four weeks after the deal was settled in May. The utility back will be allowed to play in the Springboks’ last Tri-Nations fixture against the Wallabies on 5 September in Bloemfontein, which means he will miss Ulster’s season opener against the Ospreys.
‘We’re delighted to have concluded the contract negotiations around Ruan’s move to Ulster. I would like to thank the Natal Sharks for their help in the matter and for agreeing to Ruan’s early release from his Sharks contract,’ said Ulster operations director David Humphreys.
‘We look forward to welcoming Ruan to Belfast in September, he is without doubt one of the biggest signings made in Ulster Rugby’s history and I’m confident that he will be a key asset to us both on and off the pitch.’
Pienaar, who will join the club’s other new South African recruits Johann Muller and Pedrie Wannenburg, said: ‘I’m very excited about the change – I have been thinking about going to the Northern Hemisphere for a couple of seasons now and when the opportunity to join Ulster came up I was very interested.’
Griquas change two
Wing Rocco Jansen has been dropped while Davon Raubenheimer starts at No8 for Griquas’ clash against the Leopards in Potchefstroom on Friday.
Head coach Dawie Theron has decided to promote wing Richard Lawson ahead of Jansen. Jansen will feature amongst the reserves.
Injury to No 8 Leon Karremaker sees Raubenheimer switch from flank to eighthman. Rohan Kitshoff moves into the starting openside flank position.
Griquas – 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Richard Lawson, 13 Wilmaure Louw, 12 Barry Geel, 11 Bjorn Basson , 10 Naas Olivier (c), 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Davon Raubenheimer, 7 Wesley Wilkins, 6 Rohan Kitshoff, 5 Cecil Kemp, 4 Frikkie Spies, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Ryno Barnes, 1 Steph Roberts.
Subs: 16 Simon Westraadt, 17 Jean Botha, 18 Micheal Passaportis, 19 Gerhard Human, 20 Marnus Hugo, 21 Matthew Rosslee, 22 Rocco Jansen.
July 29th, 2010 at 9:46 am
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-47: so don’t put the bkame on the Sharks then…
July 29th, 2010 at 9:46 am
@David(David)-48:
Yeah I want to klap him into next week as well!
July 29th, 2010 at 9:48 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-51:
Oh I didn’t know Joe left because they played him out of position!!!
I thought he left for different reasons.
July 29th, 2010 at 9:49 am
@Ratel Brussow(Morne Steyn is under-rated)-38: @Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-39:
2 very different players. I feel very sorry for a player like Kanko in SA where a guy is looked at negatively because of his skill/pace but Alberts is looked at positively because of his size and bash ‘em up ability. I still think Kanko is the better 8, there is no substitute for raw pace and skill. Added to this, he now weighs upwards of 108kg and his strength in contact is looking good.
Kankowski had a great start to the S14 this year behind a retreating pack and in front of an average backline, he stood out as the sharks no 1 player.
Then he doesnt play for a 4 or 5 weeks and when he does play, they put him at 7?!?!?! How is he ever going to play well like that? I understand if he is the incumbent no 8 but then dont play him at 7 ffs.
July 29th, 2010 at 9:50 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-51:
It is a known fact that certain players did not want to be played out of position at the Sharks:
1. Pienaar
2. Barritt
3. Steyn
etc etc etc etc
July 29th, 2010 at 9:52 am
@John Galt(John Galt)-54:
Are you his dad?
July 29th, 2010 at 9:56 am
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-56:
No Billy, I’m actually your daddy. Your old lady and I had a fling a few years back now. Sorry you had to find out this way.
July 29th, 2010 at 10:00 am
@John Galt(John Galt)-54: i will say this much
on current form kanko is way ahead of Spies imo
July 29th, 2010 at 10:01 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-49:
No hes not, you’re right. Not in the purest sense of the word.
He can make a nuisance of himself at the breakdown tho.
Still a little undecided who should play 6 I must admit.
July 29th, 2010 at 10:02 am
@John Galt(John Galt)-57:
Naa its cool. I was in an orphanage all these years – at least I have a dad – I’m happy. My mom is Thandi Thwala – I will tell her.
July 29th, 2010 at 10:04 am
@grant10(grant10)-58: Fair comment that, but for the Boks game plan, someone like Vermeulen might be best suited. Smith, Brussouw and Vermeulen would my ideal combo (with everyone fit, ready and willing). Or, I hate to admit, that Stegmann bloke if Brussouw is not available. Or Flo.
July 29th, 2010 at 10:08 am
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-53: point is province let him go…should they be blamed?
July 29th, 2010 at 10:10 am
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-55: Barritt played inside centre and he still left, so who is to blame?
July 29th, 2010 at 10:10 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-62:
Yes, but he is coming back – hasn’t left for the reasons given.
July 29th, 2010 at 10:11 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-63:
He played flyhalf, inside centre, outside centre – come now you know that.
July 29th, 2010 at 10:15 am
@gecko(gecko)-61: agree with you
Vermeulen
J Smith
and Brussow….Stggmann….Flo as fetcher.
If flo as fetcher in injury absence to Brussow and steggmann, i would then play Dewalt Potgieter at 8….
He and Flo will make up for the out and out fetcher.
Bissy a must at 2 as well….he is a 4 th loosie and 100 times the presence at the breakdown compared to plod.
Gotta run
Outta here
July 29th, 2010 at 10:19 am
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-64: Barritt coming back? Unlikely, having just toured with senior England squad.
July 29th, 2010 at 10:26 am
@John Galt(John Galt)-54: Have to agree 100% on the Kanko / Alberts comparison. After having our collective behinds handed to us by a more skilled/faster set of forwards on 3 occasions, the last we need is even more bulk to try and smash the opposition.
July 29th, 2010 at 10:26 am
@gecko(gecko)-67:
Not talking Barritt about returning – but think Pietersen will return – might be confused with Grant though.
Barritt is lost for good. Rated him highly too.
July 29th, 2010 at 10:27 am
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-65: he played flyhalf in the currie cup in ‘07 only because butch & francois were with the Boks, is that a crime? Pdv played him @ 12 in the Nations Cup, barritt played @ 12 in the super14 before he left after not being picked for the Boks!
July 29th, 2010 at 10:28 am
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-69: peter grant is returning from japan, not little joe! Gone
July 29th, 2010 at 10:29 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-70:
I read that he was not happy about the rotation system and was spending a lot of time on the bench and out of position. I may be wrong though and apologise is it is so.
July 29th, 2010 at 10:29 am
if
July 29th, 2010 at 10:30 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-71:
Thanks – thought so.
July 29th, 2010 at 10:32 am
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-55:
Enough with the BS
-Barritt played 90% of his games at the Sharks at 12.He rarely played out of position barring 2007 CC where he was used at 10 on a few occasions.He was displaced in the team in order to make place for Frans Steyn at 12 after Steyn’s heroics at 12 in RWC 2007.That ultimately put paid to the successful Barritt/Murray combo that played intergral role in taking Sharks ro S14 final in 07.Murray & Barritt have since left Sharks,largerly due to the need by Muir to accomodate Steyn at 12 or anywhere for that matter.
-Frans Steyn had prior to 2009,ALWAYS stated he wanted to play at 10.Have a look at all interviews in publications from 2006-2009.In all those yrs he had 1 good game vs Province in the rain when playing 10.He was accomodated & interchanged with Percy in 2007 at 15 as well as wing interchanging with Odwa Ndungane.In 2008 after World Cup at 12,he was accomodated at 12 for the Sharks-failed in S14 & did quite well in CC campaign though.He further stated after campaign he wanted to play 10.Then proceeded to play 10 for Babaas & rest is history with that performance.He clearly isnt/wasnt a 10.
Steyn always produced his best results at 15 & 12.Recently it was at 15.AFter being entrusted with 15 jersey in 2009-where he was solid/effective & seemed settled than any time before in Bok jumper-he even thanked De Villiers for move to 15 and claimed that might be his best position.
Then proceeded to going to France a couple of months later,AND then changing his stance again while in France saying 12 is where he feels he is best.But while in France He has played 10/12/13/15 as well.So him being moved around is not SA phenomenon,even Racing Metro is doing/done it.
-Pienaar has had good spells at both 9/10 at times during his career but has never really been outstanding in neither.He never committed to the 10 position even though he said he would like to have a go there.He is a mess mentally as well and thats not caused by being moved around.Its a character trait which he hasnt been able to overcome.He played a handful of games at 15,less than 5 I think.
I conceede maybe Pienaar could have been handled better but other 2,chose their path.Especially Frans Steyn.
July 29th, 2010 at 10:34 am
Bissy is best
But Plod will get the nod.
July 29th, 2010 at 10:40 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-75:
Thanks, I didn’t have the energy. I hope all the hype, anguish and hysteria will die down, concerning these two players, although I doubt it.
July 29th, 2010 at 10:42 am
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-69:
Barritt was a solid footballer,works well within structures-ala Pieter Muller
He seems to have regressed while in England though.He was below par when played for Saxons vs NZ Maori.Luke mcCallister ran through him a couple of times.right over him at some point.And defense is his best attribute.
July 29th, 2010 at 10:45 am
@Diekenner(Diekenner)-76: Plod has magical captaining skills!
July 29th, 2010 at 10:52 am
@David(David)-77:
Yeah I hope so too.
Ruan for me is the worst.Mentally that guy never had the goods.The guy has more 40+ caps,starting as well as substitute appearances and still not good enough.
Guys like Tony Brown,Elton Flatley,Byron Kelleher,Chris Latham etc played second fiddle to incumbents for YEARS,played a multitude of positions as well to fit into the Test team/provincial teams etc But STILL produced to a large extent and DIDNT sulk.For instance Latham waited close to 6-7 yrs for Burke…
July 29th, 2010 at 11:00 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-80: All valid points. Pienaar could have gone back to Free State, picked his position and then play his way into the Bok starting XV team.
Punters blame Snor, but even White used Pienaar at 9, 15 and even wing (as replacement). Snor gave him the 10 opportunity. The general, the playmaker, the top job (certainly the top job in international teams like NZ, Oz, England, Wales etc). Pienaar had the chance, and the talent, to become the next name in the line of Bosch, Botha, Lem etc to name a few. Just seems he didn’t back himself 100%.
July 29th, 2010 at 11:01 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-80:
Oh dear, and now JC has posted a “FS come home” article.
July 29th, 2010 at 11:09 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-75:
Sorry didn’t mean to touch a nerve! Only stating the truth. Point taken though. I’ll stop the BS and only state once again – play guys in position – don’t stop gap a player so that you can accommodate another. Choose specialists. Over and out.
July 29th, 2010 at 11:11 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-75: Remember Matfield playing on the flank at Toulon?
July 29th, 2010 at 11:22 am
@fish out of water(fish out of water)-84:
yep I do.Smit also played 3 for most of the time for Clermont.Argentianian 2 played majority of games at 2
July 29th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
I ask myself this question.If RALLEPELLE is 3rd choice at the Bulls, and needs more game time, which team could Snorre ask to accomodate him as their 1st choice?
July 29th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
@fish out of water(fish out of water)-84:
Remember Mark Andrews playing at No 8 in the WC Final?
July 29th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
@Diekenner(Diekenner)-86:
Saracens.
July 29th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
Purdon me fellas, have the Bulls lost two in a row??
July 29th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
I see that Gareth has called Carlos the player/coach. I thought John Mitchel was the CC Lions coach.
July 29th, 2010 at 4:33 pm
The Sharks have beaten the Bulls 9 times in their last 11 CC clashes.
July 30th, 2010 at 11:04 am
And the Sharks have beaten the Cheetahs 3 times in their last 4 CC clashes.
Going to be 4out of 5 after this weekend.
i hope.
July 30th, 2010 at 2:10 pm
The Sharks team is looking very strong this season and they are building good depth. Anybody have any info on Eugene van Staden?