'Venter is one of the world's best players'
Zayn Nabbi
June 30 2007 at 12:04PM
You can be sure the All Blacks are sleeping a little easier at night, in the knowledge that AJ Venter has retired from Test rugby and won't be around to terrorise them anymore.
The same can't be said of the Lions who face up to the Sharks at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday.
When Venter made his unexpected announcement this week that he would be retiring from international rugby it was a huge loss to the Springboks.
Coach Jake White might not realise it, but with Venter no longer up for selection, South Africa has lost one of their most intimidating and talented players.
An uncompromising man, a fearless leader and fine athletic prowess make Venter one of the best players in the world.
All Blacks' lock Troy Flavell acknowledged as much last week during the Kiwis' Tri-Nations clash in Durban and admitted that he had been surprised by the loose-forward's omission from the Bok squad.
The Boks' loss though is the Sharks' gain and coach John Plumtree has welcomed back Venter with open arms.
The Sharks' enforcer has been handed the captain's armband and will lead the men in black and white for the entire Currie Cup season.
On Saturday the Sharks will face a hungry Lions side away from home.
The Lions are still smarting after their 18-13 loss to Western Province and will be out to make amends on their home turf.
The Sharks and Lions are pretty evenly matched on paper, however, it is in the tight five where the men from the coast appear to be at a slight disadvantage.
That is purely because, when it comes to experience, the Lions front row of Heinke van der Merwe, Willie Wepener and Brian Mujati are battle-hardened from playing large chunks of the Super 14 together, while Cobus Grobbelaar and Geo Cronje are veterans in the domestic competition.
By contrast the old head in the Sharks tight five
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Zayn Nabbi
June 30 2007 at 12:04PM
You can be sure the All Blacks are sleeping a little easier at night, in the knowledge that AJ Venter has retired from Test rugby and won't be around to terrorise them anymore.
The same can't be said of the Lions who face up to the Sharks at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday.
When Venter made his unexpected announcement this week that he would be retiring from international rugby it was a huge loss to the Springboks.
Coach Jake White might not realise it, but with Venter no longer up for selection, South Africa has lost one of their most intimidating and talented players.
An uncompromising man, a fearless leader and fine athletic prowess make Venter one of the best players in the world.
All Blacks' lock Troy Flavell acknowledged as much last week during the Kiwis' Tri-Nations clash in Durban and admitted that he had been surprised by the loose-forward's omission from the Bok squad.
The Boks' loss though is the Sharks' gain and coach John Plumtree has welcomed back Venter with open arms.
The Sharks' enforcer has been handed the captain's armband and will lead the men in black and white for the entire Currie Cup season.
On Saturday the Sharks will face a hungry Lions side away from home.
The Lions are still smarting after their 18-13 loss to Western Province and will be out to make amends on their home turf.
The Sharks and Lions are pretty evenly matched on paper, however, it is in the tight five where the men from the coast appear to be at a slight disadvantage.
That is purely because, when it comes to experience, the Lions front row of Heinke van der Merwe, Willie Wepener and Brian Mujati are battle-hardened from playing large chunks of the Super 14 together, while Cobus Grobbelaar and Geo Cronje are veterans in the domestic competition.
By contrast the old head in the Sharks tight five
Discuss Add this link to... Bury
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