Loose forwards are often capable of providing cover in the backline, and in fact, many flanks are retreaded centres.
But the fancy footwork Sharks No 6 James Venter showed against the Blue Bulls in last week’s Currie Cup semi-final was phenomenal, and which any backline player would be proud to emulate.
Following a line-out, Venter got the ball in midfield and bumped off Bulls opposite number Marcell Coetzee, before ducking under a few more tackles before slipping out of the grasp of David Kriel.
He then had a one-on-one with Bulls wing Stravino Jacobs, and pulled off an audacious sidestep to go past his man and score a stunning try before half-time in the 40-40 draw at Loftus Versfeld.
Asked yesterday – ahead of Saturday’s final against the Lions at Ellis Park (kick-off 4pm) – if he had sent the video of the touchdown to the Sharks backs, Venter said, chuckling: “It’s amazing what a bit of adrenaline and a bit of open space can do! It was an awesome moment.”
Here’s another angle 😮💨#CarlingCurrieCup #BULvSHA https://t.co/0EpNcPO2Ll pic.twitter.com/tj3TCeC2Sz
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) September 15, 2024
The 28-year-old openside flank was flying under the radar a bit earlier in his career, impressing at the Lions after leaving Durban having completed matric at Glenwood High School. But he found his way back home during Covid-19, and has been outstanding for the Sharks since.
His speed across the ground has been a real boon on attack and defence for the Durbanites, as he is capable of beating tackles and creating turnovers on the ground equally well.
He will be up against two similar players in new Lions sensation Renzo du Plessis and former Blitzbok star JC Pretorius this weekend, and it is set to be a massive duel between the respective loose trios.
“The Lions have definitely got a reputation of producing some really good loose forwards. It’s no different in that loose trio that they offer,” Venter said.
This game still gives us chills 😭🙌#CarlingCurrieCup #BULvSHA pic.twitter.com/QESgixioUp
“We’ve seen with Renzo and JC, Renzo’s breakthrough season, JC coming through nicely, as well as Francke (Horn) and Ruan Venter.
“They’ve always done well, but on a weekend like this, if you look at our loose trio – with Manu and Vincent (the Tshituka brothers) in the mix as well – we’ve definitely got a dynamic, explosive loose trio as well. We will stick to doing what we do, and it’s going to be a good battle.”
The Sharks have some serious firepower in the backline, too, with the likes of André Esterhuizen, Ethan Hooker and Jordan Hendrikse, but Venter knows that the pack will have a tough fight on their hands to secure front-foot ball to set up the charge for the trophy.
Unbelievable scenes at Loftus Versfeld 😲
The Hollywoodbets Sharks defy the odds to reach the 2024 #CarlingCurrieCup final 🦈🏉
This match is a must-see if you missed it 🍿 pic.twitter.com/7yZOWt2oeH
And he doesn’t think that playing extra time in the Loftus semi-final – where he was the Player of the Match – will affect the coastal side too much at altitude on Saturday.
“If you look at our exciting backline that we’ve got as well, we managed to put six tries over the line and another two were disallowed (against the Bulls),” Venter said.
“We are also really excited for that pitch. It’s a pitch that will work well with our model, and it’s a venue we are looking forward to playing at.
“We’ve just come off a really tough pre-season, and that really prepared us to go up to Loftus and play 100 minutes of rugby ... It’s not going to change week to week. We’ve got a DNA, a Sharks way we want to play, and we won’t go away from that.”