Riaan Viljoen Riaan Viljoen
CRAIG LEWIS
There were indications over the weekend that Cheetahs and Griquas fullback Riaan Viljoen could be joining the Sharks after this season’s Currie Cup, potentially providing important additional depth in next year’s Super Rugby competition.
There have been recent reports linking Viljoen to Western Province, but word is that the 28-year-old could well be heading to the Durban team instead.
For much of this Super Rugby season Viljoen – who has a big boot and an attacking inclination – was widely regarded as the form fullback in South Africa and can play on the wing.
Last week, Springbok coach Peter de Villiers suggested that Super Rugby squads should be expanded next year to reduce the wear and tear on the players during the season, and it has become necessary to have at least two quality options in each position.
Louis Ludik started 15 successive games for the Sharks at fullback this past season, and so it will be beneficial for the team if there is a second senior specialist.
Viljoen is contracted to Griquas until the end of the year and should play for them in the Currie Cup, and although it is yet to be officially confirmed, he could then make the move to Durban.
Meanwhile, essentially a Sharks XV team enjoyed a successful hit-out against the SWD Eagle in George last Friday, securing a 35-22 victory.
The match was mainly an opportunity to see some of the back-up players in action and determine who might be able to make the step up to the Currie Cup this season, with a host of Springboks set to be unavailable for either all or some of the competition.
After a slow start, the Sharks side eventually pulled away to secure the desired result, with prop Dale Chadwick and fullback Gouws Prinsloo scoring a brace of tries, while flank Francois Kleinhans scored the fifth.
Sharks players will get together today as they prepare for this Saturday’s big Currie Cup opener against the Blue Bulls at Kings Park (5.05pm). Interestingly, this Saturday’s match could quite possibly see former Springbok and Clermont centre Marius Joubert making his debut for the Sharks.
With nine Sharks players having been named in the Springbok tour squad to contest the away leg of the Tri-Nations series, and several others reportedly carrying injuries, it will be a new-look team that takes to the pitch on Saturday.