Pietersen unveils plan for Suleiman Hartzenberg
SPOTLIGHT: JP Pietersen unveiled how the Sharks plan to use new recruit Suleiman Hartzenberg during the upcoming United Rugby Championship season.
Hartzenberg joined the Sharks on loan from the Stormers a fortnight ago and will wear the black and white jumper for the duration of the season before he returns to the Cape.
The 23-year-old utility back is already a Stormers half-centurion, and his experience will add significant depth to the Sharks’ playing roster.
He will get his first taste of rugby in a Sharks jumper on Friday evening in George in a pre-season friendly against Currie Cup First Division champions SWD Eagles after being named as a replacement.
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Pietersen explained how Hartzenberg slotted into the squad and what his expectations are for the youngster.
“Suleiman Hartzenberg is great to have; I always rated him when he started out as a youngster and to have him on loan at the Sharks is just great,” Pietersen told Rugby365.
“He slotted in seamlessly like he’s one of us. Obviously, it will take time for him to get used to our systems, how we operate, our language and how we do things.
“He’s a very positive kid who is always open to learning and becoming better, and how good is it for him to come at this time with [Ma’a] Nonu in our system to elevate his game and skill set more.
“He’s a great addition to our team, and hopefully he can shoot the lights out and just answer our questions in terms of what we want from him.
“We’re looking forward to what he can bring, and hopefully tomorrow [Friday] he can hit the ground running.”
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Hartzenberg predominantly featured on the wing for the Stormers but has been utilised at outside centre as well – a position he thrived in during his playing days in the Varsity Cup for UCT.
Pietersen said that he’ll be utilised in both positions, but confirmed which one the Sharks will predominantly be looking to use him in.
“That’s his strength; he offers two [playing] positions, and he’s good at either one of them.
“We want to try and mould him in both [positions]. We’ll give him a run at outside centre against SWD and see how he goes off the bench.
“Hopefully against the Lions we can see how he goes on the wing.
“We’re a bit skinny at centre at the moment, so we’ll probably play him more at outside centre this season.”
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