Sharks have a Dad’s Army feel going into Currie Cup
A decade ago‚ Sharks utility back Joe Pietersen was a youngster trying to furrow his way in what was a struggling Western Province outfit. After Super Rugby sojourns with the Stormers and Cheetahs and a stint overseas‚ Pietersen finds himself back in the province of his birth to represent the side he watched the most as a child.In his time in the various teams‚ the Sharks have moved from Super Rugby finalists and Currie Cup champions to the laughing stock of South African rugby after an underwhelming 2015 Super Rugby campaign.Having gone through the full circle of being an understudy to the senior player‚ Pietersen believes his input in the Sharks will be invaluable.He is not worried about his advancing age in a game that is getting younger with each year.“Ten years ago I was the youngster. I wouldn’t say I am a mentor to the young guys but every now and again you push them in the right direction or you can impart knowledge if they need it. It is a good place to be in and a good role to have‚” Pietersen said.“You’ve got a level that you want to maintain from a fitness and strength perspective so you have to put in the extra work when you get older. Sometimes you have to run a bit more and do a little bit more to keep that level of fitness but with experience you know when to slack off.”With the Sharks purchasing the likes of Michael Claassens‚ they seem to have a Dad’s Army feel to them leading into the Currie Cup despite the smattering of youngsters they possess.Bok participation in the Currie Cup in a World Cup year will be minimal due to player management‚ bringing experienced campaigners like him to the fore.Western Province showed last year that young guns who have won trophies before have the know-how of dealing with pressure situations‚ but the Sharks have undergone massive changes since they last won the Currie Cup two years ago.The 31-year-old from Vryheid is from an era where the Currie Cup was more than the developmental tournament it has become now.There are many illustrious players who have gone through their careers without winning the tournament‚ such as Western Province legends Jean de Villiers and Schalk Burger.Having triumphed with Western Province in 2012‚ Pietersen knows how it feels to hoist the trophy and the tournament remains special to him‚ despite its diminished status in major rugby circles.“The Currie Cup has changed a lot from what it used to be‚ especially when the older guys and everyone else used to play.“It has become a much quicker game compared to what it was and it has also become very physical‚” Pietersen said.“I think there are some exciting youngsters here and they have had a lot of Super Rugby experience.“They were forced to play a lot of games and if they can use that experience wisely in the Currie Cup‚ it will help them progress more.” – The Times..
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