Coaches Naka Drotske and Hawies Fourie, seem to be pretty clear of who they envisage in their final Super Rugby squad for 2013. Griquas players Justin Downey, Leon Karemaker, Steph Roberts, Edwin Hewitt, Marnus Hugo and Jean Stemmet have been released to Griquas to prepare for the Vodacom Cup.
It is speculated, that the possible return of Juan Smith may have been the primary motivation as Phillip van der Walt, Heinrich Brüssow, Lappies Labuschagne, Juan Smith, and Boom Prinsloo all have still to prove their fitness. This could indicate that Juan’s progress is in line with the coaches’ expectations.
January 4th, 2013 at 09:21 SAST
Ok I am trying to understand this?? How would the return of Juan Smith be the reason for the dropping of 6 Griqua players? also they not all in the same position.
Is there a bit of Anti Griquas sentiments coming through?
January 4th, 2013 at 09:22 SAST
I would have kept Downey.
January 4th, 2013 at 09:27 SAST
I mean you guys were telling us earlier, the likes of Karremaker and Downey could be extremely important to the Cheetah cause?
Now they not even good enough? Something seems a bit strange, because you cant throw away experience, and the 2 I named have a lot of experience at least.
Smith has been injured for 2 years plus, it is going to take him quite a while to get match fit, and what if he breaks down again?
Brussow is also very injury prone and never lasts more then a few games, Boom Prinsloo ditto, nou wat nou?
January 4th, 2013 at 09:27 SAST
@ Loosehead:
Exactly Loosie.
January 4th, 2013 at 09:51 SAST
@ Sharky,
It simply means that Juan is in the reckoning. That would leave Brussow, Schoeman, Lappies, Vd Walt, Raubenheimer, Juan, Daniller, and Prinsloo as the loose forward candidates. Remember Uys can also be considered as a loose. What I implied was that Juan’s possible inclusion could be the reason why Downey and Karemaker were released.
No anti Griquas sentiment! Roberts has no Super experience, he was a fringe option at best. Hugo is far behind van Zyl, Sarel and Matewis. Hewitt is behind Landman and Muller at Griquas too. On all the cases the players released, with the exception of Downey, are not considered front runners in their positions, that said, they are part of the extended squad, and could play a role.
There are still plenty of Griquas in the mix. Adriaanse, Barnes, Muller, Landman, Schoeman, Brummer, JP Nel, Vulindlu, Boshoff, Jansen and Le Roux.
January 4th, 2013 at 09:55 SAST
Justin Downey should come to the Sharks. Thought he was fantastic in the CC for Kwas. Seriously thought Cheetahs would be using him for Super Rugby. What a waste I feel. I know they have Brussow (world class), but if he picks up another injury think Downey would have slotted in very well there.
January 4th, 2013 at 09:55 SAST
@ Cheetah4eva:
Thanks C4neva mate, lol that does put it a little into perspective for me.
As for Juan it’s common knowledge that he is staying with the Cheetahs though, He has just had the birth of another child, no ways he would pack up his household at a stage like this
January 4th, 2013 at 09:57 SAST
@ Puma:
Sharks already have to many bro, I know he is a Durban boy, but we are stacked with Loosies, he should truly have been in the Griqua squad, I think they making a big mistake here, but that’s how the game goes.
January 4th, 2013 at 10:09 SAST
Sharks_forever wrote:
Sharks supporters in a feeble attempt to troll the VRYSTAAT!
January 4th, 2013 at 10:11 SAST
@ Loosehead:
HAHAHAHA I already reeled in Cheetah4neva
so what you talking about lmao
January 4th, 2013 at 10:14 SAST
Sharks_forever wrote:
Up your game Sonny, the S15 is a month away!
January 4th, 2013 at 10:17 SAST
@ Loosehead:
no need to up the game young man, that will come when SR starts, you don’t need preseason quality posts 
Don’t waste!!!
January 4th, 2013 at 10:18 SAST
But truth be told, it took just a little post to reel in a cheetah or 2 LMAO
January 4th, 2013 at 10:20 SAST
8 @ Sharks_forever:
He was fantastic for Kwas in the CC. A real pest at the breakdowns, something we need though. Pity he is not going to be used. I thought Cheetahs would have used him.
January 4th, 2013 at 10:25 SAST
@ Puma:
Their loss bro
January 4th, 2013 at 10:26 SAST
13 @ Sharks_forever:
Kaaaaaaaaaaaaaaak, we are toying with you.
January 4th, 2013 at 10:29 SAST
@ Loosehead:
Nee jong man, slim het sy baas gevang 
January 4th, 2013 at 10:41 SAST
I too, thought Downey played well. Drotske must know we don’t – hope he’s right. Downey would be a better bet than Smith, in my book, less of a risk.
January 4th, 2013 at 11:02 SAST
Don’t be surprised if the Mountain Goats make a move for Marnus Hugo.
That young man has some serious talent IMO and the Stormers are not exactly overflowing in the SH department.
He (Hugo) is FAR better than Tewis du Bruyn in my humble opinion. But hey WTF do I know?
January 4th, 2013 at 11:14 SAST
@ JFK, and Sharks Troll’s,
), then we have Schoeeman as a very able replacement, and Lappies has shown himself equally at home either side of the scrum. That pretty much covers 6.
Cheetahs have the very promising Brüssow clone in Marnus Schoeman as back up. Arguably, the pick of the fetchers in the CC. So if Brüssow suffers an injury (highly unlikely
If Juan if fit, then he is the logical starter @ 7, with Lappies, Raubenheimer or Francois Uys as back up. 7 Flank pretty wrapped up, hence Downey being released.
VD Walt has been the preferred 8, and Raubenheimer and Francois Uys are able to cover there too.
Poof! There goes the Sharks theory of superiority in the loose trio.
istort:
January 4th, 2013 at 11:16 SAST
15 @ Sharks_forever:
It is a loss, also he is so damn fast, is everywhere all of the time. I personally would not mind if Sharks got him to be honest. I know we have some seriously terrific depth with our loose forwards, but none are a pest kind of player like he is at the breakdowns. Without Bissie he would have been really handy to have. Though always knew Cheetahs had first choice on the player and thought he would be used. With Brussow there I suppose he will not get much game time, then Brussow has been injured plenty this past year.
January 4th, 2013 at 11:17 SAST
Oh and then Boom Prinsloo is also able to play anywhere in the looseforward position.
January 4th, 2013 at 11:20 SAST
#19 @ Scrumdown,
I also rate Marnus highly. The reason Tewis is usually preffered is due to his versatility. He has ably taken shots at goal in a pinch, is able to shift to FH if the need arises, and is a good fringe defender.
January 4th, 2013 at 11:26 SAST
Down in the Cape, we have this obsession with Burger and getting him fit and back in the side. For some reason, we think that he will singlehandedly be our saviour. We need to wake up and smell the roses. I would be far happier having Justin Downey in my squad at the expense of the injury prone, over the hill fading star. We, too, have the players to back up Burger should he not play. Therefore in my book, leaving him out, bringing in Downey to experience the set up, and play a game or two off the bench against the likes of Spears, would give him the experience to make the step up faster. He would be a valuable asset in our squad.
Yup, we’ll take him and Hugo – Agree with Scrumdown, it would only boost the Stormers squad.
January 4th, 2013 at 11:45 SAST
Hallo almal hoe gannit ,net dit gou,Justin se hande laat hom partykeer in die steek,hy is ook geneig om die bal in kontak te verloor.Hy sal beslis in die mix wees veral met die besirings wat in die tweede helfte van die reeks hulle tol sal eis…
January 4th, 2013 at 12:15 SAST
21 @ Puma,
my lips for this. Cheetahs have two of the best proponents of stealing/slowing opposition ball in SA.
Boet, I think you have your wires crossed. Marnus Schoeman was the 6 during the CC, and he was a real menace. Downey played 7 mostly.
The likes of Alberts, Coetzee, and Kanko, cannie play their game, if they have no ball
January 4th, 2013 at 12:22 SAST
Jis Smallies, Hoe hang dinge?
January 4th, 2013 at 12:29 SAST
26 @ Cheetah4eva:
It was Schoeman playing openside for kwas in CC. He was a real pest at the breakdowns and super fast. Thought he was terrific. Then also remember Downey as well he too was excellent. Both super fast and I like that with the loosies. Thought that Downey may be used with Cheetahs. Anyhow you correct I was actually thinking of Schoeman (need to crack myself over the head sometimes…haha), he is there so that is great for Cheetahs he is a excellent cover for Brussow.
Apologise boet, blame it on my age……..hahahah.
January 4th, 2013 at 12:31 SAST
@ Cheetah4eva:gaan goed chomma en da in nelspruit
January 4th, 2013 at 12:41 SAST
26 @ Cheetah4eva:
Cheetahs certainly do have the two best players at openside. Remember out last game against Cheetahs at the tank when Bissie was on the bench? Well Brussow was making havoc there until Bissie came on, then he was only on for 6 min or so before Brussow was off injured. Brussow is class and I have to say so is Schoeman.
January 4th, 2013 at 12:42 SAST
Should read = our last
January 4th, 2013 at 12:58 SAST
29 @ Smallies,
Punt in die wind dankie ou mater. Dit is nou maar net lekker in die Slowveld
Ons span gaan ‘n paar manne se bekke stil speel in 2013 of hoe?
January 4th, 2013 at 13:06 SAST
30 @ Puma,
Agreed! Apart from Brüssow, and maybe Juan, the Cheetahs don’t have any really big names, but as a unit, they are usually formidable.
Like the Cheetahs we have a useful pack, and last year the grunt in the 2nd row was lacking, so the loosies didn’t have the same impact. I am curious to see the new lock Lood de Jager. Word was he was close to Junior Bok selection along with Etzebeth.
If he is as good as they say, we might have a useful lock combo, which could free up the loosies a lot more.
The following team could be more dangerous than what the bookies are giving them credit for.
Caylib Oosthuizen, Strauss, Coenie, Ferreira, de Jager, Brüssow, Juan, vd Walt
van Zyl, Goosen, Jansen, Ebersohn, Sadie, Benjamin, Le Roux.
Bench: Nyakane/De Klerk, Liebenberg, Muller, Labuschagne, Sarel, Brummer, Daniller.
January 4th, 2013 at 13:09 SAST
Bah! meant like the Sharks, the Cheetahs have a useful pack.
January 4th, 2013 at 13:11 SAST
Puma wrote:
Sharks supporter admitting to dirty and foul play by Bismark in order to injure Brussouw.
Dik Swak!
January 4th, 2013 at 13:13 SAST
33 @ Cheetah4eva:
I think you have a very good team bud, also if Juan is back he brings so much, thought he was missed huge last year. Cheetahs can beat any team on their day. I am always worried when Sharks play Cheetahs, they play a good brand of rugby. Which I always enjoy watching, just don’t like getting beat by them of course…..lol.
Good luck to your Cheetahs bud, think they will do well this year especially if Juan is back. Will look out for your new lock, de Jager.
January 4th, 2013 at 13:17 SAST
35 @ Loosehead:
Jinne, but you can stir kak sometimes…………
Jokes aside, Brussow had it all his own way until Bissie can on in that game, then it all stopped for Cheetahs even before the break we had scored with Bissie coming on. Lucky for us though he went off after the break.. So it shows we do need a player to stop the likes of Brussow, Deon, Pockock, McCaw. Not sure if we will without Bissie. Deysel will have to up his game there.
January 4th, 2013 at 13:18 SAST
@ Loosehead,
Very much so, the Tjarkies learnt quickly from the Bools and convicts to resort to skulduggery to eliminate the threat of Ratel!
Scandelous I tell you!!
January 4th, 2013 at 13:53 SAST
@ Cheetah4eva:
Then they play all holier than though, like Puma is, and accuse us of stirring kak.
Read his post he openly applauds Bismark for the blatant targeting of [and resulting injury to ]Brussouw.
It is due to these viscous acts of violence that the Sharks can’t even nearly fill their magnificent stadium. Not for test matches, not for S15 matches and not even for the CC.
January 4th, 2013 at 14:17 SAST
39 @ loosehead,
I think it is more because they choke so much in Super Rugby that they battle to fill the stadium.
They are always the hot favourites at the start of the year, and then later poor Plum faces riots in Dirtbin.
January 4th, 2013 at 14:31 SAST
40 @ Cheetah4eva:Ja, just think back to how their supporters were calling for Plum to be fired during the S15. Now most of them want him to be the Bok coach.