Super Rugby: Cheetahs squad contenders – Centres

Published 8 January 2013 | By Cheetah4eva

The departure of Andries Strauss to the Kings, and the arrival of Johann Sadie, will ensure a new midfield combination. There is talk of Robert Ebersohn reverting back to inside centre where he played at school level, and using Johann Sadie at outside centre. This could be an enticing option, but there are however other possibilities.

 

 

 

The Midfield Contenders:

 

Joubert_EngelbrechtGabriel Joubert Engelbrecht:

Age: 23 years – 27 June 1989

Vital Statistics: (H) 190 cm (W) 97 kg

Born in Kimberly, Joubert attended school in Upington. He represented the Griquas Academy team at the 2006 Under 18 Craven Week, and the Griquas Under 18 Craven Week team in 2007. He was then signed by the Leopards, whom he has represented at Under 19, Under 21, Vodacom Cup, and Currie Cup level. He was selected to play for the SA Barbarians North against the touring English in 2012. Joubert is a strong running centre, and will be keen to force his way into the Cheetahs squad.

 

 

Rugby Career:
  • 2006 – Griquas (Academy u/18 Week).
  • 2007 – Griquas (Coca Cola u/18 Craven Week).
  • 2008 – Platinum Leopards (ABSA u/19 Competition).
  • 2009 – Leopards (ABSA u/21 Competition).
  • 2010 – Leopards (ABSA u/21 Competition), Leopards (ABSA Currie Cup Promo/Relegation).
  • 2011 – Leopards (Vodacom Cup), Leopards (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division).
  • 2012 – Pukke (Varsity Cup), Platinum Leopards (Vodacom Cup), Leopards (ABSA Currie Cup first Division), SA Barbarians North (Castle Incoming Tour vs. England).

 

 

GeelAlbertus Daniël (Barry) Geel:

Age: 31 years – 30 April 1982

Vital Statistics: (H) 185 cm (W) 92 kg

Born in Springs, Barry attended FH Odendaal High School in Pretoria. Barry made his provincial debut for the Leopards in the Vodacom Cup in 2002. He then represented the Leopards in the Currie Cup until 2007, when he moved to Griquas. He played for Griquas until 2011, when he moved to the Cheetahs. He made his Super Rugby debut in 2010 for the Cheetahs and has regularly featured for them.

 

 

 

Rugby Career:
  • 2002 – Leopards (Vodacom Cup), Leopards (Bankfin Currie Cup).
  • 2003 – Leopards (Vodacom Cup), Leopards (ABSA Currie Cup First Division).
  • 2004 – Leopards (Vodacom Cup), Leopards (ABSA Currie Cup First Division).
  • 2005 – Impala Leopards (Vodacom Cup), Impala Leopards (ABSA Currie Cup First Division).
  • 2006 – Impala Leopards (Vodacom Cup), Impala Leopards (ABSA Currie Cup First Division).
  • 2007 – Wildeklawer Griquas (Vodacom Cup), Wildeklawer Griquas (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division).
  • 2008 – Wildeklawer Griquas (Vodacom Cup), Wildeklawer Griquas (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division).
  • 2009 – GWK Griquas (Vodacom Cup), GWK Griquas (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division).
  • 2010 – Griquas (Vodacom Cup), GWK Griquas (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Vodacom Cheetahs (Vodacom Super 14).
  • 2011 – GWK Griquas (Vodacom Cup), GWK Griquas (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Toyota Cheetahs (Vodacom Super 15).
  • 2012 – Toyota Free State XV (Vodacom Cup), Toyota Free State Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Toyota Cheetahs (Vodacom Super 15).

 

EbersohnRobert Thompson Ebersohn:

Age: 24 years – 23 February 1989

Vital Statistics: (H) 180 cm (W) 87 kg

Born in Bloemfontein and a Grey College old boy, Robert has had a varied professional rugby career thus far.  He has represented the Free State at all levels from Craven Week Under 16, to Super Rugby, except Under 21 level. He also played SA Schools and in two IRB Junior World Championships. In 2010 he made his Super Rugby debut, and has been a regular in the Cheetahs team.

 

 

Rugby Career:
  • 2005 – Free State (Coca Cola Grant Khomo u/16 Week).
  • 2006 – Free State (Coca Cola Craven u/18 Week).
  • 2007 – Free State (Coca Cola Craven u/18 Week) Free State (ABSA u/19 Competition), SA Schools.
  • 2008 – Shimlas (Varsity Cup), Free State (Vodacom Cup), Vodacom Free State Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Junior Springboks (IRB Junior World Championship), Springbok Sevens (IRB Sevens Series).
  • 2009 – Vodacom Free State (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Junior Springboks (IRB Junior World Championship), Springbok Sevens (IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens).
  • 2010 –  Free State (Vodacom Cup), Vodacom Free State Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Vodacom Cheetahs (Vodacom Super 14).
  • 2011 – Toyota Free State Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Toyota Cheetahs (Vodacom Super 15), Springbok Sevens (HSBC Sevens World Series).
  • 2012 – Toyota Free State Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Toyota Cheetahs (Vodacom Super 15).

 

 

Johann_Sadie Johann Sadie:

Age: 24 years – 23 January 1989

Vital Statistics: (H) 188 cm (W) 88 kg

Born in Malmesbury, Johann is a Paarl Gymnasium old boy and has represented Western Province at all levels from Under 16 to Super Rugby. He also represented the Junior Springboks at the IRB Junior World Championship. He made his Super Rugby debut in 2010. In 2012 he signed for the Blue Bulls but a sequence of injuries denied him any chance of making an impact and he was playing second fiddle to room mate JJ Engelbrecht as a result. So he asked for a release and signed with the Cheetahs. It is expected that the Cheetahs style of rugby will be more suited to him and an exciting combination with Robert Ebersohn could be on the cards.

 

 

Rugby Career:
  • 2005 – Investec Western Province (Coca Cola Grant Khomo u/16 Week).
  • 2006 – Western Province (u/18 Academy Week), Western Province (Coca Cola Craven Week u/18), South Africa (CAR u/18).
  • 2007 – Western Province (Coca Cola Craven Week u/18).
  • 2008 – Vodacom Western Province (ABSA u/19 Competition).
  • 2009 – Maties (Varsity Cup), Western Province (ABSA u/21 Competition) Junior Springboks (IRB Junior World Championship).
  • 2010 – Maties (Varsity Cup), Western Province (Vodacom Cup), Western Province (ABSA u/21 Competition).
  • 2011 – DHL Western Province (Vodacom Cup), DHL Western Province (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), DHL Stormers (Vodacom Super 15).
  • 2012 – Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Vodacom Bulls (Vodacom Super 15).

 

 

JP_NelJacobus Paulus (JP) Nel:

Age: 32 years – 09 January 1981

Vital Statistics: (H) 184 cm (W) 94 kg

Born and schooled in Worcester, JP made his provincial debut for Fidentia Western Province Under 21 in 1999 and he also played Vodacom Cup rugby, before being lured to the Bulls in 2001. He quickly became a stalwart in the Bulls backline and made his Super Rugby debut in 2001. He also made the Junior Springbok team which contested the IRB Under 21 World Cup in 2002. He gained a reputation as a hard tackling and running centre. After so many years at the Bulls, he signed for a club in Japan. He returned to South Africa in 2012, and joined Griquas. Though a tad long in the tooth, he is an uncompromising player and opponents will know exactly what to expect from him.

 

 

Rugby Career:
  • 1999 – Fedsure Western Province (Bankfin u/21 Competition).
  • 2000 – Fedsure Western Province (Vodacom Cup). Fedsure Western Province (Banfin u/21 Competition).
  • 2001 – Blue Bulls (Vodacom Cup), Blue Bulls (Bankfin Currie Cup), Bulls (Vodacom Super 12).
  • 2002 –  Blue Bulls (Vodacom Cup), Blue Bulls (Bankfin u/21 Competition), Blue Bulls (Bankfin Currie Cup), Bulls (Vodacom Super 12), Junior Springboks (IRB u/21 World Cup).
  • 2003 – Blue Bulls (Vodacom Cup), Mobil Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Bulls (Vodacom Super 12).
  • 2004 – Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Bulls (Vodacom Super 12).
  • 2005 – Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Vodacom Bulls (Vodacom Super 12).
  • 2006 – Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Vodacom Bulls (Vodacom Super 12).
  • 2007 – Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Vodacom Bulls (Vodacom Super 12).
  • 2008 – Vodacom Bulls (Vodacom Super 14).
  • 2009 – Vodacom Bulls (Vodacom Super 14).
  • 2010 – NTT Shining Arcs (Japanese Top League).
  • 2011 – NTT Shining Arcs (Japanese Top League).
  • 2012 – GWK Griquas (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division).

 

Robert Ebersohn and Johann Sadie must be favourites to start, however if Hawies Fourie persists with Robert Ebersohn as an outside centre, it could open the door for Barry Geel, leaving Robert Ebersohn and Johann Sadie to squabble for the 13 jumper. Joubert Engelbrecht and Jean Stemmet, will push hard, and JP Nel won’t let any side down.

9 Responses to Super Rugby: Cheetahs squad contenders – Centres

  • 1

    Sharks_forever on 8 January 2013 at 10:10 am

    Not sure the CHeetahs is in a good place re centers, accept for Robert and Sadie? they infact could prove to be a very good pairing, Geel is not a bad player, JP Nel is as over the hill as the day he started at the Bulls lol

    The Engelbrecht kid I don’t know to be honest?????

  • 2

    Cheetah4eva on 8 January 2013 at 10:24 am

    1@ Sharky,
    Saw bits of Engelbrecht in the Varsity Cup, and in the Barbarians match. He wasn’t out of place, but we will see more and perhaps get a clearer picture soon. Ebersohn maybe at 12, not as bulky as most 12, but silky skills, and he is quick to contest tackle ball.

  • 3

    Just For Kicks on 8 January 2013 at 10:31 am

    Watch Sadie really shine this year. Going to be a big year for centres in SA rugby this one. Looking forward to them commanding the game.

  • 4

    Sharks_forever on 8 January 2013 at 10:33 am

    @ Just For Kicks:
    Hiyas JFK, agreed and if the Centers shine our Rugby overall will be in a good place

  • 5

    Gena_ZA on 8 January 2013 at 12:53 pm

    Ebersohn and Sadie has huge potential, if they can gel the Cheetahs already dangerous backline will be a huge threat to other teams

  • 6

    Cheetah4eva on 8 January 2013 at 1:17 pm

    5@ Gena,

    Looking at the players available to the SA franchises, there seems to be talent galore in the backlines. Now the question is, will they be allowed to play their natural game.

    Sharks: Reinach/Mc Leod, Lambie, Odd-One/Sithole, Fransie, Jordaan, JPP, Ludik
    WP: Duvenhage, Jantjies, Habanero, JdV, JdJ, Appeltjie, Pietersen.
    Bools: Vermaak, Stein, Engelbrecht, Venter/Meisie, Mapoe/Serfontein, Akona, SponsBob
    Cheetahs: v Zyl/Sarel, Goosen, Jansen, Ebersohn, Sadie, Benjamin, le Roux.
    Kings: Vergallo, Catrakillis, Killian, Stevens, Cooke, Sampson, Whitehead.

    Now all those backlines can do some damage given enough ball.

  • 7

    Loosehead on 8 January 2013 at 3:01 pm

    JP Nel is bottom of the barrel stuff.
    How many yellow and red cards will that heap of shit get this S15?

  • 8

    Cheetah4eva on 8 January 2013 at 3:43 pm

    7@ Loosehead,
    Devil JP Nel is just to be used against the bools, as retribution for years of thuggery by JP Nel against the Bulls opponents. He just there to be a thug against the Bulls, to rupture some spleens Tounge-Out

  • 9

    Puma on 8 January 2013 at 4:57 pm

    3 @ Just For Kicks:

    Agree we will see the best of Sadie at Cheetahs, their game style most certainly suits Sadie.

    Sadie and Ebersohn will make a good centre pair.

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