Without a doubt, losing a player of Siya Kolisi’s calibre was a huge loss for the Sharks, but where there are exits there are opportunities, especially for some of the franchise's loose forwards who have been in the Springbok captain's shadow.
The two-time World Cup-winning skipper’s departure for Racing 92 in France after two years in Durban affords players a chance to step up and stake their claim.
Kolisi's emigration to France on the back of his successful captaincy of the Boks' historic run to defending their trophy there, increasing his global stature, opened the door for a new, far less internationally recognisable star to embrace the challenge of filling those big boots.
James Venter has been one of those called up to fill the gap where Kolisi operated for the past two seasons at blind-side flank in the Sharks' battling start to the 2023-24 United Rugby Championship (URC). And he's done that in an eye-catching manner, the 27-year-old from Port Shepstone on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast flourishing in that space so far.
The Sharks have had poor results in their URC start, losing all their first five matches. However, the performances of players such as Venter have been hard not to notice, and gives hope that all is not lost in Durban, even this season.
Ahead of the URC fifth round last weekend, Venter had a 100% tackle success rate in the competition, with 57 clean tackles - a notable statistic. He is ranked second in the competition, with 68 successful tackles. The step up for a player who at 27 is something of a late bloomer, who counts a couple of caps for the Lions in 2019 among his just over 20 in total at senior level, has been impressive.
Sharks defence coach Joey Mongalo said the player has been important as the side’s defence driver. He also credited Venter’s success to the solid displays by back row partners Phendulani ‘Phepsi’ Buthelezi, Sikhumbuzo Notshe and new signing George Cronje.
“The loose forwards combination of him, Phepsi and Notshe or him Phepsi and George, they are mixing well together,” Mongalo said. “Number six plays well if the seven and eight are not playing well around them, so I think it’s to praise the dynamics in that loose forward trio. I think he was on 57 tackles without missing one, the highest rate in the URC.
He has always had the respect of the guys, but he is winning more and more respect in the change room because of the way he conducts himself.
— Joey Mongalo
“And there’s Dylan Richardson behind him too [with 40 tackles without missing one]. And why do I mention that? It's because for the team with the highest success rate in tackles in the competition is a credit to the group for how hard they are fighting for each other and the desire that they are showing to fight for the jersey.
“So yes, James is doing incredibly well. He is a good man, he is one of our defensive drivers.”
In the back row, the Sharks did not just lose Kolisi ahead of the new season but also the services of another experienced flanker in Henco Venter, who left the Durbanites for Glasgow Warriors of Scotland. But that hasn’t been the particularly noticeable aspect of their battles because of the effectiveness of Venter, Notshe and Buthelezi.
When Kolisi was at flank, (James) Venter played more in the Currie Cup team and captained some of the games under Mongalo. The coach said Venter’s exploits in the URC have earned him growing admiration among his senior side teammates.
“I said to him the other day that, ‘It’s wonderful for you as a leader when you lead with your actions because when you talk, people actually listen to you.’ He has always had the respect of the guys, but he is winning more and more respect in the change room because of the way he conducts himself.
“He has a never-say-die attitude. You can always knock on his door [for coaching talks], and you can always challenge him to train harder, work harder and he always does it with a smile on his face.
“I’m very happy for him that he is getting the accolades that are coming his way.”
TimesLIVE
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.