Lions flyhalf Butch James is set to return to play for the Sharks, which would delay his retirement until July 2013.
“Although I have not signed yet, it’s about 90% sure” he was quoted as saying. “And I would like to end things back where it all started.”
The 33-year old Butch said he would like to end his career in July 2013 and has been in discussions with the Sharks to be back-up flyhalf (to Patrick Lambie) and is keen to go back to his old franchise in Durban.
“Playing at 10 in this last Currie Cup just made me enjoy it again,” said James. “I don’t want to in six months think I should have carried on playing. I won’t be able to come back then.”
The 42-Test veteran has represented the Sharks, Bath (England) and Lions in his professional career.
I am stoked even though this is only for the super 15 but not having a top class 10 as back up is crazy, the Sharks do have youngsters coming through the ranks but they are still not totally ready for SR and this little stint by BUtch would be totally welcome.
I did an article on the Sharks squad for next year and although with Butch coming the things look even beter, i still think one or 2 positions still lack that something.
Hooker where i thought we would be fine proved not to be the case, Both burden and Cooper seem to struggle with the basics, and i thibk the Sharks need an experienced versitile Prop that covers both sides of the scrum,
And they need a fetcher, although they have 2 comming through the ranks at junior level
1 @ Sharks_forever:
I am really pleased that Butchie is coming back home to Sharks. He is still a class flyhalf. Just had to see how he played for Lions against the Bulls. He was superb there. Still has another year in him I think.
Bosman too stepped up in the CC playing fh. Some always underestimate him, he is actually a very good fh. Not in the same class as Lambie, but he can be a very good back up too, if Butch becomes injured. We are sorted for fh next year bro. It is at prop that we need some cover. Also a bit worried now about hooker. Burden was totally off form on Saturday and think maybe Cooper needs a run there until Bissie gets back. We need to sort out our lineouts, we going to make life very hard for ourselves if we don’t get it sorted. Bissie too missed his jumpers plenty at the start of the season this year. Don’t think we have had a hooker as spot on with the throwing in as Smit was. Think it just needs to be worked on. Somehow when Kanko started to play from the Bulls game this year, our lineout was top class.
@ Puma:
Agreed, kanko is a must, nd yesterday when Rudi asked you about where would Kanko fit in when he returns??? Straight back to his 8thman position.
I suggested around 2 weeks ago at dropping Daniel for bigger player like Deysel for the match against the Bulls and some Sharks supporters inSW nearly had a heart attack 😆
I would play Alberts at lock and have a loose trio of Coetzee, Kanko and Deysel.
I am not sure what games people watch, but i have watched Deysel closely and his off loading game has becomes very good, he tackles like a demon and he does play the role of a fetcher, even though he plays in the 7 jumper.
Another thing is Deysel hits rucks hard where for example Alberts is more the strong ball carrier defender flank,
A huge proble we had on the weekend was the breakdowns and lineouts, NO Bissy, NO Deysel, we lost the match right there
The secret Plum will have next year is how to rotate and keep the players all happy, and also make sure of having the right combinations
4 @ Sharks_forever:
Remember me saying I would have started with Deysel and not Alberts for the game on Saturday? Just knew we were gonna have trouble at the breakdowns with Deon there. We actually should have stared with Deysel and Cooper, think we might have been better at the breakdowns protecting our ball had those two started. I would have played Alberts at 4 lock on Saturday like we done in the last part of Super Rugby.
Actually felt for Deysel being left of the bench after having a great CC season.
Yip, Kanko has to slot straight back in at 8th man when he comes back.
5 @ Sharks_forever:
We have some or rather the best loosies all at the Sharks. Good headache for Plum to have for next year.
Alberts
Deysel
Keegan
Marcel
Kanko
PSDT
Aweome loosies those. Then Alberts and PSDT can play 4 lock as well. We will also have Van der Merwe coming.
Just wish we got JC Van Rensburg from Lions on loan for the S15
5 @ Sharks_forever:
What we have to hope for now is that none of our players pick up injury with the Boks on this eoyt. I actully wish these eoyt get scrapped sometimes. Weather so horrible up north this time of year to play rugby, also the players all must be dead tired now playing non-stop rugby since Feb. They all need a break after the CC. Then should head into conditioning training for Super Rugby. Now quite a few have another 3 weeks coming up to play for the Boks before getting a much deserved rest. We can’t afford for Beast to pick up a injury. We don’t have any in his class right now. Chadwick is good but never in the same class as Beast. We will also be missing Bissie at the start of SR.
2 @ Sharks_forever:
What happened to the youngster Cloete?
He is comming through nicely as is kleinhans
10 @ Sharks_forever:
How old are those players?
@ Puma:
Instead of Sykes Plum should rather have played Alberts at lock or started with PSDT, specially as PSDT is a specialist jumper he is also just over 2m tall.
So yeah i think Plum missed a trick there, Another problem PSDT being used at 7 and 4
Soon we will hear he aint good enough as he has been stuffed between positions, it’s crazy, Imagine if WP were using Etzebeth at flank??
@ Puma: 20 and 21 respectively
I believe with cloete, he should be coached more in the fetching role, yes he is a fetcher, but i am saying they must enhance those skills, he has the talent build hands etc for that position, he is a natural opensider and is built like a brick shithouse lol
I agree with you on the Hookers and Fetchers weakness. That made the difference on Saturday.
Butch will make a big contribution for sure. If he stays fit, which he has managed to do for most of his SA return up to now.
14 @ Sharks_forever:
They both still young then. Good that, knowing we have them. Seen Kleinhans play, thought he was quite good. Do watch the u21’s play but not enough, will make a effort to watch more next year.
Ja, Cloete’s build is similar to Brussow.
@ Puma:
Yup Pooms, See Bissy plays our fetcher role and he is damn good at it, problem is there is no backup plan
12 @ Sharks_forever:
I know it would be criminal to see Eben at flank. Province don’t mess their players that much about, except Deon. Though think he has found his right position now at openside.
I really thought PSDT would be on the bench. Remember I said don’t be surprised to see PSDT in the starting XV. Then he was NOT even on the damn bench. We must only use him at lock next year. We have so much cover with all the loosies we have.
Yip, PSDT might have made a difference had he started on Saturday. Then Burden’s throwing was really very bad. Also Eben put a lot of pressure there, so it could also have made it worse for Burden. Still think if PSDT was there our lineouts would have been better. Or at the least we should have had Alberts there, as our lineouts were terrible anyhow, then we could have had Deysel on at 7. Plum most certainly missed a trick there.
17 @ Sharks_forever:
Losing Bissie is a massive loss. Especially that he will only be back by April. He was a huge loss for the game on Saturday, that is for sure. Deysel really should have started, there is no question about that.
Anyhow with no Bissy to start in the early part of SR Plum will have to think seriously who he plays in the early parts, with us having no other playere really doing the fetching part. Remember we have Stormers at the Tank in our 2nd game. We might have to start Deysel at 7 with PSDT on at lock. Alberts off the bench for later. Though Alberts really did have a very good game on Saturday, but we will have to think clever there. Maybe Kanko, Alberts and Deysel to start there for that game, with PSDT on at Lock. We will cover ourselves at lineouts and the breakdowns then. I think I would start with Cooper at hooker for that game. He too has to work on his throwing in.
If we have Kanko, Alberts and Deysel to start in that game, then we will have Marcel on the bench. Not sure about that. Also no Keegan to start either. Jeez a headache for Plum I think.
Here is another article from Sports24 where they say Sharks will use as a Mentor.
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Sharks to use Butch as mentor
2012-10-30 22:09
Butch James (Gallo Images)
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ABs to try different skipper Mbalula: SARU taking the lead O’Driscoll to miss Bok Test Cape Town – The Sharks will be looking to use Butch James as a mentor to their younger players during next year’s Super Rugby competition.
The former Springbok pivot’s contract at the Lions was not renewed and he is now likely to sign at his old team for one last stint in top-flight rugby.
The Beeld website reports that James, 33, was in Durban the past two days to undergo medical tests.
He recently made it clear he wants to play flyhalf, which will see him play back-up to Patrick Lambie for the No 10 spot.
“I haven’t signed yet,” James was quoted as saying on Sunday. “It’s about 90% sure. I’ve been speaking to them and I’m keen to go. I’ll basically be the back-up flyhalf (to Lambie).
James is yet to sign a contract but Rudolf Straeuli, the commercial manager of the Sharks, said on Monday that they’ll be looking to tap into James’s wealth of experience.
“We want to use Butch as a mentor for the younger players – he will specifically be utilised to help players with their goal-kicking as well as tactical kicking. He will work closely with young flyhalves like Fred Zeilinga (under-21 player),” said Straeuli.
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I think this is a brilliant move by Sharks. We will get the best out of Butch, not only being back up to Lambie but helping our other young fhs. One day when John Smit comes back I really hope that Sharks bring him in as well in some sort of coaching role.
Straeuli should go and speak to JC Van Rensburg and try and get him to change his mind and come to Sharks on loan for SR next year.
JC is a brilliant LH and if he wants to be a Bok he HAS to be playing Super Rugby for Meyer to even think of selecting him. His only chance is to go on loan to one of the 3 big franchise. Sharks need another prop more so than any of the other 3. Would be great to have him as back up to Beast. Chadwick is good, but not great as we saw this year when we lost Beast for a few months to injury.
Go on Straeuli do the right thing, go persuade JC to come on loan to our Sharks…. 🙂 That is the player we want the most on loan from Lions.
Also wonder where the Lions Hooker has gone? Or is he staying at Lions? Thought he was quite good actually.
For now the best up coming young hooker has to be Scarra (spelling) Thought he had a really great CC season for Province.
23 @ Puma:
I know Scarra has not played Super Rugby or International rugby, but I rate him ahead of Chili right now.
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