Comments on: Future Star: Garth April

By: Predawn

Predawn — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 03:21:13 +0000

He should try out for the 7′s national team. A good way to get noticed.

By: rangerman

rangerman — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:18:59 +0000

another hobbit bolts from the shire.

where is the mythical midget factory in the cape?

good luck young man.

By: Papoose

Papoose — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:55:24 +0000

size makes a telling difference but since he’s only 18 he can make it up
looking at wot kirchner put on from moving from Griquas to Bulls, i dont see why he cant put on another 15kg’s in 3 years

By: wpw

wpw — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:51:14 +0000

Well, the Lions cant develop their own talent so by all means let them have him.
If he does bulk up and develop into a good player then we’ll just buy him back.

By: Dantalian

Dantalian — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:30:19 +0000

@Charlie: Don’t be fooled by the ladies that say it doesn’t. It does.

By: Charlie

Charlie — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:19:35 +0000

Still the size issue ?

By: Dantalian

Dantalian — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:12:47 +0000

@flanka: No doubt he'll add a few kg's but surely at 18 he's as tall as he's going to be. Or was that just me?

By: Sghibha

Sghibha — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:03:44 +0000

@Gambit25: Craig Barry is bigger, faster, and (to be perfectly honest) better than Garth. Craig is also a year younger and was playing Grant Khomo as a flyhalf in 2008 in Garth's first year in Craven Week as the Boland fullback. Don't get me wrong, Garth is an outstanding talent and was a little unlucky not to make the initial SA Schools side that was selected at last year's craven week. He got in when Eric Sauls took over the SA Under 18 side that then played a few internationals. The Lions under19 backline looked much more dangerous toward the end of their campaign when Garth took over from Dewald Nel at flyhalf. He seems kind of small for a real look at the top level as a fullback, but I guess similar things would have ben said about Jason Robinson when he was coming up so I say he should go for it. Good luck to you son. Good call by your mom.

By: WP_

WP_ — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:19:04 +0000

@SpringbokSarah: name dropper...

By: SpringbokSarah

SpringbokSarah — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:08:40 +0000

I met him! Nice oke

By: Storm outta hell

Storm outta hell — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:06:34 +0000

Listen to your mommy Big boy…and you can be the next Earl Rose…

By: flanka

flanka — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:59:02 +0000

@Dantalian: he is only 18...a couple of centimetres and another 10 kg's over the next 3 years should do him ok

By: stormer in a teacup

stormer in a teacup — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 11:48:48 +0000

Maybe it is because the Lions are offering contracts to anyone who can hold a pen? A union with a greater exodus than the Israelites cannot really be a smart youngster’s first choice. Sounds reminiscent of the Rose Bros situation. Short term gain vs long term gain. Ouch!

By: Dantalian

Dantalian — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 11:23:02 +0000

A bit on the small side.

By: Tacitus

Tacitus — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:55:51 +0000

1.70m? Interesting.

By: Gambit25

Gambit25 — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:33:39 +0000

@Rum And Maple: The Cape is full of talent, that could be the problem!

2 promising talents in the form of Garth April and Craig Barry in the same age group vying for the same position.

WP make an offer to 1 of them, the other loses out, has to seek a contract somewhere else…

Sometimes WP offer the contract to the wrong guy…

Its just an example, but maybe that is why some youngsters lose faith in WP? (hence why his mom wanted him to go)

By: WP_

WP_ — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:47:15 +0000

@Transformation: That is ridiculous. The mother must be a piece of work

By: Dantalian

Dantalian — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:42:19 +0000

What is an amateur contract? Is it like the one J Fourie had with the Lions?

By: Rum And Maple

Rum And Maple — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:40:44 +0000

“decided to sign for the Lions because I believed I could achieve more and develop better as a player,’ says April. ‘Boland is a small union and I wasn’t interested in a future with them. Western Province did offer me a deal, but my mother advised that I shouldn’t take it because of the limited opportunities for young players in Cape Town.’”

That says it all about developing homegrown talent in the Cape…

By: Transformation

Transformation — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:36:37 +0000

why change schools so many times? Is your mom a rugby agent?