AJ’s Bok lifeline
17 May 2006
Sharks hardman AJ Venter is thrilled to be involved with the Springboks again.
Venter arrived in Bloemfontein from Durban on Wednesday morning to join the rest of the 45-man Bok training squad for a day of “medicals and fitness testing”.
But it could have been so different for the 32-year-old. After a series of knee problems plagued him recently, the 23 Test veteran was tempted to call it quits. “I was going to end my rugby career at the end of this year and pursue other avenues,” Venter told keo.co.za. “But the fact that I’m really enjoying my rugby this season and I’ve never played in a World Cup has motivated me to keep going.”
And many rugby fans, not only those in Durban, will be relieved to hear Venter has pledged his name to the Boks cause at least until the World Cup in France.
“There is a lot of rugby to be played between now and the Rugby World Cup, but I would like to give it my best shot to be part of that squad. If it doesn’t happen at least I will know that I gave myself a chance,” he said.
“I was with Johann (Muller) when the squad was announced and to see sucha big guy in tears just shows what it means to be a Springbok. I have the same feeling.”
While Venter could never be accused of giving anything less than 100% on the field, his aggressive style often got him into trouble. He has calmed down though and his experience could be invaluable to Jake White if the Boks hope to win the William Webb Ellis trophy in 2007.
Following the medical and fitness tests on Wednesday, the Boks will start the camp proper from Thursday, with a hectic schedule planned for the next few weeks.
By Andrew Hollely
75 Comments
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17 May 2006, 12:54 pm
AJ is a legend in the making!
17 May 2006, 13:07 pm
Os
Smith
Carstens
Bakkies
Matfield
Burger
AJ
Wannenburg
Pienaar
James
Olivier
JDV
Habana
Snyman
Percy
17 May 2006, 13:16 pm
The real reason Johan Muller had tears in his eyes was because “Fabio’s” C#ck was up his Ar%e!!!
17 May 2006, 13:43 pm
AJ is one of a select few that truely deserve a call up to the boks. I hope he can make it to the world cup.
Go you good thing!!!!!
17 May 2006, 13:48 pm
Quinn
I dont want to have to come over and beat you senseless.
AJ is a powderpuff player and deserves to be in the Stormers backline.
17 May 2006, 13:53 pm
Snoop
I am very upset with your team granting the Bulls a place in the semi’s
So you should just keep quiet.
17 May 2006, 13:59 pm
Jeez you guys are difficult to please hey.
I think we have an abundance of good loose forwards and none of the ones in the squad except Solly can really be separated. I think its just matter of getting the combinations right but if I were the man in the hot seat my team would look like this for game against the World XV anyway.
1. BJ Botha
2. John Smit
3. Os Du Randt
4. Bakkie Botha
5. Victor Matfield
6. Schalk Burger
7. Juan Smith
8. AJ Venter
9. Ruan Pienaar
10. Andre Pretorius
11. Brian Habana
12. Jean De Villiers
13. Jaque Fourie
14. Brent Russel
15. Percy Montgommery
16. CJ Vd Linde
17. Gary Botha
18. Jaco vd Westhuizen
19. Albert vd Bergh
20. Wynand Olivier
21. Pedrie Wannenberg
22. Butch James
I put Russel in because you need him to put some spark into the team as they still have not seemed to work out how to attack, they instead prefer to score tries from turnover and I put Butch James in to see if he has the nerve and can make a positive impression on the team.
17 May 2006, 14:17 pm
The worrying thing is when you take Jake’s squad of 45 and pick the “worst” possible team from that squad you end up with a side that won’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell against any of the top teams, go through the same exercise with an All Black squad and you end up with a side that will probably beat at least all the six nations sides, with maybe the exception of France. Jake picked too many passengers and not only did he diminish the strenght of the national squad but also missed an opportunity to build depth.
17 May 2006, 14:18 pm
nice team, good call on russell
17 May 2006, 14:21 pm
All Sharks supporters in Gauteng wanting to attend the Vodacom Final in Brakpan, rather park your vehicle in a secure area and use the Bus service to Brakpan. Mail us your contact details if you are interested at mailer@sharks-supporters.co.za
17 May 2006, 14:34 pm
motomouse
enough whites in that team? only habana is not, will never happen
17 May 2006, 14:40 pm
Swapo
I also thought about the Barrit guy, seems real talented, not sure if he can kick, perhaps he will be a better centre but he is really a prospect for the future. The other guy I thought might become a good flyhalf if he had a better coach and played @ a different franchise is Naas Olivier. He seemed to be a natural flyhalf and he can kick pretty good. Still needs lots o work but certainly has the potential. On wing I think JP Pieterson was unlucky not to get selected since he is so much better than Chavanga!
17 May 2006, 14:41 pm
ummm lets not forget that Jake White loves breyton paulse alot too.. apparently he is good in defence. lol
17 May 2006, 14:42 pm
Go old man go
17 May 2006, 14:54 pm
The Chavanga selection really dissapoints me, Pietersen, both the Ndungane’s and even Jantjies has more to offer, would like for Jake to explain that one…that’s the type of selection I referred to in my previous post (58). If only we can find a flyhalf…
17 May 2006, 15:00 pm
Swapo
I agree. The Ndungane bros were the find of the season for me. I remember how bad they were last year. They improved and I really rate them now.
17 May 2006, 15:06 pm
Guys,
Remember Jake has to pick a players to meet “transformation” needs. That means you can probably count on the following players being in 22:
Januarie
Shimmie (bench)
Solly
Julie
Andrews
Think about the areas he can select these players. Julies and Shimmie are almost gauranteed bench seats. Januarie and Eddie are going to start. If Januarie doesn’t start you will more than likely see Burger rested and Solly included. I’m telling you Pienaar is going to be sent home when the cut happens. Most of the new kids will be cut. No way they’ll keep 4 scrummies, and won’t get rid of Bolla/Janurie. Won’t cut Eddie, nor Solly, Sephaka. Later Pienaar, later Carstens, Later BJ. Julies not going anywhere, later Wynand Olivier. Sad but true.
If they had given Dlulane a shot, and the Odwange twins and perhaps Fortuin ahead of Gaffie, may have been different story.
17 May 2006, 15:15 pm
Suppose you’re right toddke, but all the names you listed above is not performing, anyway not as expected from an international calibre player. The twins, Pietersen, and Dlulane went head to head with the best of Aus & Nz and at the very worst was equal to the challenge and more often than not performed above expectations, so if transformation is the issue please pick the black players that perform so well game in and game out, that will teach the ones being left out that being black is not enough – you have to perform and deserve your colours! Pretty please don’t turn this into a racist thingy, all I am trying to say is that there is black players left out of the squad that should have been there on merit.
17 May 2006, 15:15 pm
I picked a team out of the players chosen by JW in his squad, had the Ndungane brothers, JP Pietersen and Tim Dlulane been in his squad they would have definately been part of the team I would pick. I also think that Bevan Fortuin is one for the future, but on a scale of 1 to 10 Pietersen is an 8 and Fortuin is more like a 6.
17 May 2006, 15:58 pm
The big plus about AJ is that he is just as adapt at playing lock as he is a flanker/8th man. How ’bout AJ on the bench covering both positions????
17 May 2006, 18:48 pm
I am thrilled that AJ is there too! He is a hardman of SA rugby and always gives 100%.
Just a pity that Johan Ackerman couldn’t be there too!
17 May 2006, 19:18 pm
Hardman…I don’t think so. Jerry Collin’s is the real Hardman!
17 May 2006, 23:41 pm
my gran in her night gown looks more menacing than collins doing the haka
18 May 2006, 00:11 am
#13
venter and burger make an awesome mix. i remember venter saying how much more inspired he was when playing with burger. those 2 work well together, then at blind or #8 we can choose smith, joe or pedrie. that is one hell of a competitive backrow, and i bet ya the AB’s will be making serious plans to compete with this combo.
jerry is one hard man. after a bit of rest after the super 14. he will probably be back to his best form like the last 2 seasons. venter is definitely able to look after jerry. as is burger able to deal to mccaw, a can either joe, pedrie and juan comfortably look after sa’oailo.
18 May 2006, 22:20 pm
sa’oailo isn’t that much of a problem…I always think he may be the weak link there.
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