AUDIO: Pietersen's verdict on Siyaya experiment
REACTION: Sharks head coach JP Pietersen provided his assessment of Zekhethelo Siyaya’s performance at flyhalf against Benetton.
Pietersen raised eyebrows this past Thursday by naming Siyaya at flyhalf after impressing at fullback in his first two United Rugby Championship matches for the Sharks.
The Sharks mentor said ahead of the clash against Benetton that he is planning for the future and building depth at flyhalf.
“With Siyaya at No.10, we are planning ahead for the future,” Pietersen said in an online media conference on Thursday.
“We know Jean [Smith] is moving on [to Benetton] in his last season with the Sharks, and we want to see if [Zekhethelo] Siyaya have the capability to play flyhalf.
“It will be good if he can play more than one position. He played [No.10] in high school up until Under-16 [level] before transitioning to fullback.
“So we will see what he can bring at No.10.”
When asked about the 18-year-old’s performance, Pietersen had nothing but praise and said the experiment paid dividends following the 46-7 thrashing of Benetton.
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“It seems like he’s been [playing] there for ages, and he’s only 18 years old,” Pietersen said.
“He had a good couple of moments, but man, I’m so happy for that kid to show how he expressed and backed himself.
“He’s a young man who just loves the Sharks, and it’s clear to see. His love for the union filters through to the whole team.
“And he gives everything, that’s the beauty of it in the way he plays.
“He answered my questions at No.10 that he can do the job in that position.”
Pietersen also provided an update on Springbok wing Makazole Mapimpi, who was stretched off the field in the 37th minute following a dangerous tackle by Jacob Umaga.
“[Makazole] Mapimpi had a bad knock from the high tackle, which caused a concussion, but that happens in rugby.
“He’s fine. He recovered well, and he’s up and chatting.”
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Pietersen, who gave several youngsters debuts since taking the reins from John Plumtree, focussed on the silver lining of Mapimpi’s concussion.
“In saying that, it gave someone like Litelihle Bester his URC debut.
“It’s beautiful to see how a guy making his debut and replacing a Sharks centurion shows so much fight, excitement and hunger.
“He’s been working hard behind the scenes, which no one has seen, and he’s had a few injury setbacks.
“But he just showed today [Saturday] by finishing off a try like that in the corner – it is [something] beautiful.
“I know where he comes from and the hard work he put in, and to give him an opportunity and him taking it with both hands is beautiful to see.
“It just shows what it means to the kid.”
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