ODWA STILL GOING STRONG
Sharks wing not ready to retire yet
VETERAN wing Odwa Ndungane is unfazed by the challenge he faces weekly to retain his place in the Sharks line-up with talented youngsters pushing the “old man” for his place.
Ndungane‚ 35‚ has played 131 Super Rugby matches and is closing in on a century of Currie Cup caps since making his provincial debut in 2005 and has been so impressive he has kept Sbura Sithole on the sidelines.
An 11-year first-class career is impressive for a wing‚ but the nine-Test Springbok is not ready to follow twin brother Akona into retirement just yet. He is happy to be a mentor but also a teammate willing to fight for his place.
“I don’t want to hold the youngsters’ hands too much‚ I want them to express themselves and if things get out of hand‚ you have to say something [as a senior player]‚” Ndungane said.
“But they are a special bunch of players who bring so much X-factor and excitement into the team. Maybe I can learn from them not to worry too much.”
Ndungane has seen the rise of players such as Pat Lambie and Frans Steyn at the Sharks, and in the prodigiously talented Curwin Bosch and the exciting Inny Radebe he sees similar potential.
“These are special players‚ we’ve seen that. It’s exciting to see what’s in store and I’m looking forward to see them grow from strength to strength.”
Sharks lost their first game of the Currie Cup campaign last weekend‚ going down 34-27 to Western Province at Newlands. But despite the setback, the quietly spoken veteran believes the Sharks have the potential to win the title again in 2016 and also carry that momentum into the 2017 Super Rugby tournament.