A somewhat speculative article in one of the Afrikaans dailies links Springbok centre Jaque Fourie to the Sharks for a Super Rugby role in 2015, one which could cement his World Cup participation.
Fourie has, of course, been reported as a “done deal” for the Sharks before, with his big-money move to Western Province from the Lions some years ago preceded by some cunning negotiation tactics that used the Sharks’ interest to drive up the price asked of his eventual paymasters at Newlands. This year’s link may have more weight to it, although once again, the story doing the rounds is surprisingly light on detail and seems to be based on selective interpretation of what the player’s agent has said.
Fourie, of course, plays for the Kobe Steelers in Japan and as such has a good relationship with incoming Sharks Director of Rugby Gary Gold, currently head coach at the same club. With the Sharks short of cover in the the very position (outside centre) in which Fourie is considered a world beater, the move would appear to make sense for the buyer. As far as the seller is concerned, though, it’s hard to argue that he really, really needs to be playing Super Rugby in 2015 in order to make the World Cup squad. Heyneke Meyer has not hesitated, in the past, to pick the players he trusts directly from Japan and has also said, quite recently, the he considers Fourie a must-have in his squad.
The Boks, in short, have no real options at 13 outside of the 31-year-old and just as Meyer intends to pick Fourie du Preez as his scrumhalf without any Super Rugby proviso, my gut feel is that Jaque Fourie will enjoy the same treatment. In a lot of ways, exposing himself to the Super Rugby injury risk could even be detrimental, rather than favourable, to the player’s World cup hopes.
All that said, this story is one I’ve heard before (and from better sources) so I’m not prepared to dismiss it outright. Jaque Fourie, should he finally make his way to the Sharks for a a spell, would be a great asset indeed and would hopefully have much to impart to S’bura Sithole, Paul Jordaan and Tyler Fisher who are our future in the number 13 jersey.
P.S.: Andries Bekker is another Bok playing for Kobe whose name has been mentioned in a Sharks context. Just putting that one out there, in case it comes back later.
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If they do come, I hope SARU pays their salaries. They’d be here for one season to see if they make the bok squad and then move on. Doesn’t make much sense for the Sharks to throw big bucks at the guys for one year only.
Fourie I can still stomach, not sure I could Bekker.
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Coaches always brings a player or two along, so it won’t be much of a surprise if one or both does sign with the Sharks.
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Don’t dangle the dream then take it away, Rob
Would love Fourie, and the impact he could have on our youngsters.
Not sure of the value of Bekker, with Lewies and Psdt around – although between the three of them we might just about be able to get a full season on the park.
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@Shakes34 (Comment 3) : yeah, maybe Bekker could be the sacrificial lamb to take the “big injury” next year, sparing PS and Stephan….
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I reckon Fourie would be a good acquisition as he bring a lot of experience and has the advantage of having worked with Gold at Kobe. He certainly is not a youngster anymore, but he might still have something to offer.
Much less excited about Bekker though…
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@robdylan (Comment 4) : Just make sure we talk him up hugely preseason and how we’re pinning our entire season’s hopes on him.
Devious.
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Jacques Fourie, yes please. Andries Bekker, hell no
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Jacques Fourie, yes please. Andries Bekker, hell no!
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The first thing I thought when Gold got appointed was JF could be on its way haha
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Id take Fourie anyday with FS at 12.
Lambie, Mvovo, Steyn, Fourie, JpP, maybe Paul J at 15? word class back line there.
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But is there enough space in that backline for his ego…we already have Bismarck’s ego to contain
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Wouldn’t be a bad move, but I will believe it when I see it.
@Culling Song (Comment 8) :
One more time – this time with feeling.
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Not having seen him play for ages, I have to wonder in what shape he is in. When we was on form he was excellent though.
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If they came both Fourie and Bekker would miss preseason so not sure how well conditioned they would so may only play a part in Super rugby in latter stages. Both would have a point to prove in a WC year so wud come out guns blazing. Besides mentoring on the practise field their acquisition would hamper the development of Sharks youngsters in those positions in terms of actual game time experience. However, at the rate the Sharks go through locks through injury and departure i think we need about 15 fit locks for Super rugby
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No and no.
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Ok I must say I disagree with most,
lol
Can we not see how we moan about losing year in and year out? can we not remember how the injury list grew and killed our chances? yes of course we want our youngsters to do the thing but surely our memories cannot be so short? CC? SR? poor performances cost us.
I for one think both those players could add big value, of course in saying that they must earn their places and be fit, One of the best centre pairings SA has ever had when on form is Steyn and Fourie.
Also rotation will be taking place, another problems is the injuries to Locks at the Sharks, Surely we need to take these things into account???
My backline if all are fit would be
15 Mvovo
14 JpP
13 Fourie
12 Steyn
11 Sithole
10 Pat
09 Reinach
21 Ungerer
22 Jordaan
23 Esterhuizen
Other Backup
Wright
Fisher
Odwa
Swiel
Cronje
Williams
SP Marais
Hoffman
Plus a few others I cannot think of
And yes if they do not come to the Sharks we know what we have.
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@Big Fish (Comment 12) : Bass on my feelings towards Bekker, be grateful I ran out of time to post it another few (say, twenty) times
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@Culling Song (Comment 17) : Based, not bass… where’s the edit function in this app?
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@Culling Song (Comment 18) :
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W – JPP
Cntr – Fourie
Ctr- Steyn
FH- Lambie
W – Sithole
FB – Mvovo
SH – Reinach,
7 – Bothma
6 – Coetzee
8- Alberts
5 – PSDT
4 – Lewies
3 – Jannie
2 – Bissie
1 – Beast
Wow can this happen?
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@coolfusion (Comment 20) : This starting 15 makes my eyes water. The only change I would consider is Jordaan on wing rather than Sithole. Simply because S’bu is a MUCH better 13 than wing. And I would like to see what Jordaan can do at wing.
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they would add light years of experience
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thanks for my trophy Rob
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F Steyn and J Fourie against JdV and Juan de Jongh…..hahaha!
7,8,9 coetzee, bothma and alberts sharks will have the physicality on tap! Just need to find a good sub for Jannie and for Bissie (Du Toit could be groomed to sub or replace Jannie at tighthead, he played TH at school)
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No doubt they could both add to the Sharks but personally if they are only there to play themselves into a world cup squad then Im not so sure. Skinstad comes to mind in this scenario, played for the Sharks, got a world cup medal on the back of the Sharks but feels sweet fanny adams for the team. I would rather he had never worn a Sharks jersey.
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For my two cents worth,I have always thought Bekker was the most mismanaged talent ever.
When he was on his game he was magnificent,as good a lock as any who ever payed the game.
Problem was he hardly ever played two great games in a row.He has serious back problems,and these were never managed properly,he was always forced back into play before he had healed.
I have not heard thing about him since he went to Japan,so it would be hard to understand what we are buying.Is it the rampaging 18ft giant or will he come back like Frans Steyn returning from France.
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Dunno if we should be excited about this.
Yes you can’t have enough depth in super rugby…
But, we need to select Sithole at 13 to help him adapt to the position..
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I almost had a heart attack when I saw the headlinee, almost thought it was Deon Fourie
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Holy mo! It has been a long time since I commented or posted. I think Fourie and Bekker will be great for SR next year. Fourie ads so much value to a team not just in his play. And with Bekker you get that massive frame thats good in the line-outs, my only problem with Bekker is that he gets injured at the same rate as Conrad Hoffman. But after loosing so many experienced players the two of them can just add a lot of lost value.
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@KingRiaan (Comment 28) : Oh hell no!
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@robdylan (Comment 4) : LOl! bad rob! haha… by the way I think I am missing a “Cup” for CC 2013
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@G West (Comment 31) : ok, I need emailed proof
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@sharks_lover (Comment 16) : Agreed…
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I wouldn’t mind this…but let’s see whether it happens…
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According to Twitter both players will be staying in Japan .
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@Zibbie (Comment 35) : Who’s Twitter? Is he/she a reliable source?
@Pokkel (Comment 36) : he means according to a journalist, Hendrik Cronje, who posted that on Twitter.
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@Pokkel (Comment 36) :
is anything on Twitter reliable ?
@robdylan (Comment 37) :
what he said
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@robdylan (Comment 37) : Jeez Rob, lighten up chap. I’m just taking the piss.
@Pokkel (Comment 39) : ? Just trying to enlighten you as to who actually said it, since saying “according to Twitter” doesn’t really say much.
Not sure lightening up is needed when I’m simply trying to inform.
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