Herbst boosts Sharks
THE Sharks have loaned one of their former players from the Lions, Wiehahn Herbst, to bolster their depth at tighthead prop for the duration of Rainbow Cup SA, starting with their visit to the Stormers on Saturday.
Herbst cut his teeth at the Sharks after leaving school at Klerksdorp and after five years in Durban he spend the same period in Northern Ireland at Ulster.
Last year, the 32-year-old was brought back to SA by the Bulls but after a few months in Pretoria he was released to the Lions and they, in turn, have loaned him to the Sharks, who notoriously have a problem with back-up to Thomas du Toit.
The Sharks have looked to recruit in this position, including targeting Stormers and Bok tighthead Frans Malherbe, but they can’t quite nail down a world class No 3.
They have had better luck at hooker, with it now an open secret that Bongo Mbonambi is to leave the Stormers for the Sharks after the end of the British and Irish Lions tour later this year.
The Sharks would dearly love Mbonambi to be immediately available for them because they have two hookers out injured in Dylan Richardson and Dan Jooste, leaving them with just two fit men in the position in Fez Mbatha and Kerron van Vuuren for Saturday’s trip to the Stormers.
It is understood that one of the Sharks’ American partners, entertainment giants Roc Nation, are wanting to add Mbonambi to their rugby fold that already includes Siya Kolisi, Sbu Nkosi, Tendai Mtawarira and England lock Maro Itoje.
Neither the Sharks nor the Stormers will formally acknowledge that the Mbonambi deal has taken place, but the reality is that it has.
For now, though, Mbonambi remains a formidable foe for the Sharks, especially as part of that World Cup-winning front row he forms with Malherbe and Steven Kitshoff.
And with World Player of the Year for 2019, Pieter-Steph du Toit, adding his inspirational presence – whether off the bench or starting – the Stormers have a strong international flavour.
“The Stormers have some serious heavyweights returning to their pack,” agrees Sharks coach Sean Everitt.
“But we also have our share of inspirational Springboks,” Everitt stressed. “Siya brings serious leadership in backing up Lukhanyo Am, and then there are Thomas du Toit, Curwin Bosch, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Ox Nche and Sbu Nkosi.”