Potgieter set to bolster Sharks pack
Mark Andrews sees big advantages for team
IT seems the Sharks are preparing for life without their bevy of Springboks following the Rugby World Cup after they moved to acquire Jacques Potgieter from the Wallabies.
The former Bulls and Springbok loose-forward has signed a two-year deal effective from next year, which swells the Sharks’ pretty solid flank stocks.
With the likes of Tera Mtembu and Ryan Kankowski not on tour with the Sharks, the touring squad finds itself thin on the ground from a loose-forward perspective.
Potgieter, 29, will provide muchneeded depth, even though question marks about his longevity will be an issue – chances are he will not be available for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
The Potgieter who was an integral part of the Waratahs’ first Super Rugby title is far removed from the Potgieter who turned out for the Bulls, Eastern Province and the Sharks.
While his game in South Africa was punctuated by punching holes in the advantage line, he was also known for being easily chopped down in the tackle. His offloading left a lot to be desired.
After a short Japan stint, he has flourished in the offloading world of Australian rugby, which is not known for its physicality.
Former Sharks and Springbok lock Mark Andrews feels the Sharks have done one of few things right in acquiring his signature, and that Potgieter could be one of the factors making the Sharks pack fearsome again.
Even though the Sharks have heavy hitters in the form of the suspended Jean Deysel and Willem Alberts, they have often been caught short when either of them is missing.
“Jacques plays a very physical and direct game. That is [what] the Sharks have missed this season when Willem has been injured.
“The Sharks have been exposed quite badly [without] a guy who can get past the advantage line and make the big tackles. It messes up your whole structure,” Andrews said.
“He will give them the same playing dimensions that Alberts gives them when he is injury-free – but how long will Alberts continue to be injury-free?
“The way he plays, it is going to be hard for him, which is where Potgieter’s importance fits in.”
Player recruitment to the Sharks also brings into the spotlight the number of 30-plus-yearolds in their squad, which gives it a Dad’s Army look.
There have been times when the Sharks have looked short of a gallop. Their older players have at times been caught wanting, lacking energy and pace.
Andrews said the Sharks needed to take lessons from their flawed transactions.
He said Potgieter’s positional versatility would come in handy when the inevitable injury curse struck.
“Look at how effective Andre Venter was when he moved from flank to lock. That Potgieter can cover both positions is a bonus.
“It has also exposed their weakness at lock, which makes his procurement all the more important,” Andrews said.
“The Sharks will admit they have had issues with their recruitment programme. They have consistently looked outside of the union to buy players. That is expensive.
“I think they have recognised that they have the ability to foster players within the Natal schools system and make sure they utilise it internally.”
‘ He will give them the same playing dimensions that Alberts gives them when he is injury-free