Sharks stars catching the national eye
IT WAS not too long ago that only Beast Mtawarira, Pat Lambie, and on occasion, Lwazi Mvovo were the only men from Durban that were deemed worthy enough to have a look in for the Springboks. Early indications are that the coach of the National side, Allister Coetzee, has been keeping a close eye on a whole host of Sharks players.
In the preparation for the 2017 season, the coach of the Boks has been given the chance to get some preparation in before they face the French in the international break halfway through the year.
Coetzee has already had an extended training camp that did not include the Sharks, as they were in Australia at the time, but in his second camp, there is a dominance of black and white.
Some of the biggest calls by the coach, for very different reasons, are the current half-back pairing for the men from Durban.
Nineteen-year-old playmaker Curwin Bosch, who is currently part of the Baby Bok squad, will already be rubbing shoulders with some of the senior Boks after hugely impressive showings in just a few games.
Bosch has forced his way into Pat Lambie’s boots in playing flyhalf for the Sharks despite an obvious want by coach Robert du Preez for him to be the man at the back.
It is good for the Sharks, and could be good for the Boks, as their options at the vital pivot role are a little scarce.
Cobus Reinach has also been recalled to a Bok squad after not hearing from the national side since he was dumped before the World Cup in 2015.
After a much publicised move to Northampton, Reinach’s inclusion is a direct play by Coetzee to fill a gap at scrumhalf as he will not be able to pick the Sharks man for the upcoming Rugby Championship.
There are also nods towards some of the more impressive youngsters for the Sharks after their five games.
Hard working lock Etienne Oosthuizen finally gets a modicum of acknowledgement by the national side which may make him reconsider a suspected move away from South Africa to be announced soon.
Partner Ruan Botha is also rewarded, but not one-cap Bok Stephan Lewies.
Lukhanyo Am and Kobus van Wyk have been stand outs in the Sharks back-line, along with Bosch, and are called up, but former Baby Bok Andre Esterhuizen does not get a look in at centre.
Nor do the hard working Philip van der Walt, Franco Marais and Lourens Adriaanse – who was a key player in 2016.
Capped players Mtawarira, Coenie oosthuizen, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Jean-luc du Preez and Mvovo complete the Sharks haul of 13 players who will look to catch the national coach’s eye.