Gianni Lombard: Sharks sign Lions utility-back to bolster squad depth

Lions stalwart Gianni Lombard is the latest player to make the trek from Johannesburg to Durban, a source at the Sharks has confirmed.

For some time, the Sharks have wanted to build depth at fly-half, where they do not have much experience beyond Jordan Hendrikse and Siya Masuku, although they have youth coming through in the likes of Jean Smith and Vusi Moyo.

With the rugby season virtually endless these days, solid squad depth is essential, and a journeyman player such as Lombard is valuable because of his versatility — he is at home at flyhalf, centre, fullback, and wing.

Lombard, a product of Paarl Boys’ High, enjoyed a youth career at the Boland Cavaliers and Western Province before joining the Lions, where he has been in and out of the team for the last eight years.

The 28-year-old has also spent time in Japan with the Red Hurricanes.

Lombard showed plenty of promise in his youth; he played for the SA Schools team in 2016 and made 10 appearances for the Junior Springboks across 2017 and 2018. However, his inability to nail down a starting position at the Lions will have influenced his decision to make a fresh start in Durban.

The Sharks are a team on the up under interim coach JP Pietersen, and a change in environment could help Lombard achieve his potential. He has also struggled with injuries and will be hoping he leaves his bad luck behind at Ellis Park.

Lombard will know some of the faces at the Shark Tank well — Edwill van der Merwe, Ruan Dreyer, Jordan Hendrikse, and Vincent and Manu Tshituka are all recent former Lions players. He will be especially useful to the Sharks should Hendrikse be recalled to the Springboks at some point.