Youngsters breathe life into Sharks' Currie Cup campaign
CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt is thrilled with the way his inexperienced halfbacks have stepped up to the plate in this year’s Currie Cup.
After his impressive run-on debut against the Free State Cheetahs in Round Five, scrumhalf Sanele Nohamba, 20, produced another standout performance in his team’s crucial 30-28 victory over the Golden Lions in Round Six in Johannesburg.
READ: Mad dash for Currie Cup play-offs
Nohamba’s halfback partner at Ellis Park was the unknown Boeta Chamberlain, who made his senior debut for Sharks in that match.
The 19-year-old flyhalf was calm and assured and brought a highly educated boot to the game which often paid dividends. He also landed a monster drop goal.
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“He’s [Chamberlain] a bit of an unknown factor,” said Everitt. “I was fortunate enough to work with him last year and he kicked drop-goals a number of times in the Under -19 competition and did it in the final against the Bulls.
“I knew that if he was on top of his game he’d do well and I thought he had a great debut, coming in to fill big boots – Curwin Bosch’s – and I thought he did that admirably.
“He’ll only grow and get better. He’s 19, turning 20 this year, played a few games for SA Under 20, so he has the ability and potential and the experience he got against the Lions will certainly help him go forward.”
Everitt added: “Sanele Nohamba is a special rugby player who understands and reads the game really well and manages it like a guy who’s been there for years.
“He has a mature head on his shoulders and was outstanding again while his kicking to poles was a massive plus for us with Curwin not being there. He actually asked for the kicking duties; that’s the confidence he has within himself and it’s always nice to coach a player like that. He also calls the plays and we look forward to what he still has to offer.”
With one round left to play in the pool stages, a defeat in Pretoria could see the Sharks miss out on a play-off place. Should the they defeat the Blue Bulls and other results go their way, a home semifinal is a real possibility for the Durbanites.
“There are some interesting scenarios ahead,” Everitt said. “After what we’ve been through, I think the guys will be very happy with a semifinal spot, but the cherry on the top would be a home semi and hopefully a home Final.”
Source: @TheSharksZA
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