The Lions’ unlikely hero
5 Dec 2011
Josh Strauss has become a cult figure in Joburg but he very nearly fell into rugby obscurity.
Had it not been for Alan Zondagh, Sharks fans might have been spared the frustration inflicted on them by Strauss in the Currie Cup final, and he might instead have been attending to our furry friends in their hours of need. Before he was spotted playing club rugby by the former Western Province coach, the Strauss life plan was directed towards saving animal lives as a vet.
In the latest SA Rugby magazine, on sale this week, we reveal how Zondagh helped Strauss to play for Boland, and how his impressive performances for Maties in the Varsity Cup resulted in a trial at the Lions.
Strauss also reflects on the Lions’ triumphant Currie Cup campaign and looks ahead to next year’s Super Rugby tournament.
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Also in the new issue:
– SA Rugby magazine reveals how the Lions went from Super Rugby chumps in 2010 to Currie Cup champs in 2011
– John Mitchell on transforming the Lions, living in South Africa, preparing for Super Rugby, and the Springbok coaching job
– The Sharks started to develop a new team dynamic during the 2011 Currie Cup
– Heyneke Meyer’s wants the Bulls to become the world’s best domestic side again. We reveal his master plan
– Boland Kavaliers coach Eugene Eloff on winning the Currie Cup First Division, losing half of his side afterwards, and Saru’s decision to have six teams in the Premier Division
– SA Rugby magazine assesses the candidates who will be vying for the Springbok flyhalf jersey next year
– In an extract from his new autobiography, Butch James reveals how he was promised the Springbok No 10 jersey at the World Cup only to fall behind Morne Steyn in the pecking order
– Graham Henry finally has his inner peace – and his World Cup. Now he can get on with the rest of his life
– From zero to hero, jeers to cheers, agony to ecstasy, no one has a better handle on the fickle world of international rugby than World Cup winner Stephen Donald
– Thierry Dusautoir is an inspirational leader and officially the best rugby player on the planet
– The inaugural Rugby Championship will kick off on 18 August next year, two weeks after the Super Rugby final
– Francois Louw speaks to SA Rugby magazine about his new life in Bath, the recent World Cup campaign and why he hasn’t given up on playing for the Boks
– The Springbok Sevens went into the 2011-12 World Series with a settled squad
398 Comments
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5 Dec 2011, 11:03 am
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-143:
WHY I OUGHTTA!
5 Dec 2011, 11:04 am
@hendrikp(hendrikp)-146: Yes very encouraging that we are looking to sort out our centre problems.
Now probably need another lock too. Pity we lost Mostert this year.
5 Dec 2011, 11:05 am
@au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-145:
Be wrong! Be wrong!
I would agree that he needs to find some mongrel… but give him the ball in a little bit of space and he’s gone!
I’ve still got hope.
5 Dec 2011, 11:05 am
@Puma(Puma)-134: Morgan Newman is one of those guys who’s star rose meteorically and then just faded. I hope he can regain his mojo, if so the Sharks could be making one of the best value buys of the season.
5 Dec 2011, 11:07 am
@Dawn(Dawn)-149:
I was aware of this.
Maybe its me picturing him on the hunt.
Popped collar. Hipster shades. White slacks.
5 Dec 2011, 11:07 am
@au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-145:
Big Joe was a superstar,he just didnt achieve his full potential in terms of an elongated career in international rugby where one becomes a legend.Not in club rugby in South of France.He made some bad decisions-development wise,socially and career wise.But he was a special player even at international level.
Koster has had a lot of problems injury wise.Only in last 12-15 months has he been able to play consistently and is making progress.Too early to say he is done.
Mjekevu has the goods,wasnt played at all in this yrs S15 nor CC. But played back to back SA u20 campaigns were he was one of the best wingers in tournament BOTH years.Has put on weight as well.
5 Dec 2011, 11:07 am
@Puma(Puma)-152:
Need to invest in Jandre Marais!
Jandre Marais, Alistair Hargreaves, Ross Skeate, Anton Bresler & Pieter Steph du Toit is a very good set of locks I think!!
If not Marais as their enforcer, then they should try steal Ruan Venter from the Lions.
5 Dec 2011, 11:08 am
@Kietzphat(Kietzphat)-155:
platform shoes.
saturday night fever blister.
5 Dec 2011, 11:08 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-125: Only saw this your post now Mshini. I hope we sign him too.
5 Dec 2011, 11:09 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-156:
If some are to be believed, Joe was more interested in the girls and so forth rather then being the best player he can be…
Was out at the clubs pretty much every night.
Could all be lies though
5 Dec 2011, 11:10 am
@Puma(Puma)-150:
Morning bud,
Yeah hopefully they do the right thing.(Didnt know he was born in Dbn)
5 Dec 2011, 11:11 am
@hendrikp(hendrikp)-157: Would be good, but feel we missed something letting Mostert go. He was playing superb at the time too.
Agents greed I think. They are onto players like bloody flies for commission. Mosterst must have rued the fact he signed before the wc. Cause had he not I think he would have been in the squad.
Will the new Bok Coach select overseas based players? I have a feeling they will not this time.
5 Dec 2011, 11:13 am
@hendrikp(hendrikp)-160:
Naturally gifted athlete was Big Joe.So he got away with average conditioning & less that satisfactory professional conduct(career wise) as a player for a long time.
Always catches up.
5 Dec 2011, 11:13 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-161: I never knew he was born in Durbs either buddy. Just read that on sharksworld.
Feeling great that we could finally sort out our centre problems and he is young as well. We need to be looking at the youth now. Him and Jordaan like you said would be bloody great there.
Now for another Lock. Think we will be needing to look there as well.
5 Dec 2011, 11:15 am
@Puma(Puma)-162:
I also think that if Mostert had not signed before being capped as a Springbok, he probably would’ve stayed in South Africa.
The contract he got from a bankrupt Stade Francais wouldn’t have been anything special, and I think he was getting fed up with limited game-time, and figured his chances of playing for the Boks were diminishing.
There is no way he’ll be let go from a 3-year contract though. No SA side will buy him out of it.
If he’d stayed, he would’ve made a helluva good option in the Bok squad.
5 Dec 2011, 11:15 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-154: Well he is in training with the Sharks this morning. Think they will have a good look at him in the next two weeks.
5 Dec 2011, 11:16 am
@Kietzphat(Kietzphat)-155: You chive?
5 Dec 2011, 11:17 am
@Gunther(gunther)-158:
“Whats happening, baby? Can I get you a drink? How about a signed copy of Monty? No no, signed by me, not Percy.”
5 Dec 2011, 11:18 am
@Puma(Puma)-162:
Mostert was at union for 2 years and was hardly given gametime by Plumtree.
during S15 this year he was nowhere until there was a lock crisis.Then he stepped up and played well in last 4 games.
Then he got selected for boks-was always highly rated by de Villiers
So by time he got gametime which he hadnt received,he had signed overseas deal.Sykes was also undecided at time about leaving Sharks.
Agents are to blame for a lot of things but this time Mostert’s agent looked out for his best interest-where he would get payed 7 get gametime.He isnt kid anymore as well,27/28 years old-Mostert
5 Dec 2011, 11:18 am
@hendrikp(hendrikp)-165:
He’s also unlikely to be chosen as an overseas player…
I can’t see them doing that for a player with only 2 Springbok caps.
A fine option, but Elstadt & vd Merwe playing in SA means they will be given preference.
5 Dec 2011, 11:20 am
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-167:
I don’t know what that means.
5 Dec 2011, 11:21 am
For all Josh’s (sudden..) legions of fans…
This is just for you…
from an old vaudeville song from jonks ago… that my grandmother used to sing… but i’m sure will make you feel all warm n fuzzy inside…
“Joshua, Joshua,
Oh by Gosh you are…
Why don’t you call and see Mama,
She’ll be so very pleased to know
That all your fans they love you so.
Joshua, Joshua,
Oh by Gosh you are…
Sweeter than lemon squash you are.
Yes, my Gosh you are,
Joshu-oshu-you are.”
All the Lion’s fans need to learn this and sing it to josh in the coke can…
5 Dec 2011, 11:21 am
@Puma(Puma)-164:
Yeah youth is the way to go,even guys like Williams from u21′s is very good.Even Bulls have gone with youth with Sadie,Frans Venter as next generation midfield.
Lock is very thin…dont know who they will get to plug up that department
5 Dec 2011, 11:23 am
@Puma(Puma)-166: Good luck to them both.
Ironically i was hoping that he’d be training back home rather than with you guys.
Such is life.
5 Dec 2011, 11:23 am
@Puma(Puma)-166: Lionel Mapoe also trained with the Sharks for a couple of mornings, and we all know how that one ended.
5 Dec 2011, 11:23 am
Sharks should lose Straeuli and Plum and appoint PdV
5 Dec 2011, 11:25 am
@Puma(Puma)-166:
Newman is a facilitator type midfielder.best attribute is his ability to put players into space,has great hands,great passer of the ball.Rest of his game is average,with a good running centre outside him-can be very useful.much like Wayne Julies was.
5 Dec 2011, 11:27 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-175:
yeah but Lions have gone to sleep on Mjekevu
I said it a couple weeks ago,Draconian Mitch doesnt rate him….Playing likes of Deon van Rensburg ahead of him was testament enough.
5 Dec 2011, 11:27 am
@Dawn(Dawn)-149:
shame.
i hope it all works out for him.
now i feel bad for saying he might be a manchurian.
@hendrikp(hendrikp)-153:
do you mean for the stormers mostly or the springboks as well?
to tell you the truth his position either at flank or eigth has no shortage of takers and some of the competitors are way better imo.
he could be a wing or a midfielder maybe? there are openings in these positions at the stormers and the springboks.
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-156:
agreed. he had a few memorable games at international level. but still never quite as deserving of all the schoolboy ‘straight into the springboks’ setup type of hype as he got imo.
regarding mjekevu, the lions probably didn’t have the money to keep him around but either way this shuld be good for his development i hope.
5 Dec 2011, 11:28 am
@Kietzphat(Kietzphat)-171: cool dont worry about it.
5 Dec 2011, 11:29 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-178: Ja Deon van Rensburg is average.
5 Dec 2011, 11:31 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-177: That is exactly on point regarding Newman’s play. Decent player.
5 Dec 2011, 11:37 am
@au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-179:
We’re going back to the stage where we need things happening close to the scrum…
It’s great having mongrel all over the forwards, but you need a ‘home-run hitter’ in there as well. It’s not a case of leave the attacking rugby to the backs…
Koster will come right! He’ll be what we wanted Spies & Kankowski to be, because he’s got a better build.
He’s more sturdy then Spies (who has chicken legs, all the muscle is in the upper body), and all-round a bigger stronger player then Kankowski.
Just needs to find his mojo.
5 Dec 2011, 11:39 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-178:
Reckon Mitchell will continue with Deon Van Rensburg on the wing?
You’d think the smart move now would be Killian on the left, and Mapoe on the right.
Will also be interesting to see who he has as midfield partner for Doppies. Guessing his options being Hollenbach & Murray – can’t quite see Fountain & Boshoff forcing their way in.
5 Dec 2011, 11:44 am
@Dawn(Dawn)-68: try here Dawn
http://www.takealot.com/music/lincoln-lawyer-osc,9379929
5 Dec 2011, 11:45 am
who saw the USA’s try against the blitz bokke, where the guy drops the ball in front of the ref?
5 Dec 2011, 11:45 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-169:Sorry to answer late. Just got a little busy. Now have a bit of time to blog.
Yes pity Mostert never got enough game time. I think his injury he had at the time also reason he never played much. Think he is only 26 Mshini. Still young as a lock. For now we need another lock for S15.
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-177: Just good that they are trying these players out.
5 Dec 2011, 11:47 am
@hendrikp(hendrikp)-184:
Dont know regarding van Rensburg,but seems to be a Mitchell favourite.Would like to see Mapoe play more at 13,played really well there when he was fit during Currie Cup.but he is equally adept on the wing.
Murray injury prone,dont see him being at Lions for long.He will make his way overseas soon me thinks.Hollenbach & the rest are journeymen.
Going to be a huge Test in squad depth for Lions in an elongated S15 season…
5 Dec 2011, 11:48 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-175: Mapoe had a contract still with Cheetahs at the time. Seems Mjekevu does not have a contract with Lions. So for now I hope it all works out that he gets a offer from the Sharks.
He is Durbs born.. So we get one back……….hehe.
5 Dec 2011, 11:49 am
@hendrikp(hendrikp)-183: and more importantly, he as a rugby brain, far more valuable than any pumped up physique
5 Dec 2011, 11:51 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-174: I hope it works out well with both as well. Thanks buddy.
5 Dec 2011, 11:53 am
That Stef-du toit is going to be an awesome player!! Haven’t seen a lock with his workrate before!!
5 Dec 2011, 11:59 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-178: Mshini,
As Freddie has made it known he wants to go back to France in June, so he has to play scrummie for now or on the bench.
How do you rate these backs for Sharks next year:
9 – Freddie / McLeod / Hoffman (Don’t rate Hoffman for now, might need game time)
10 – Lambie
11 – Mvovo
12 – Jordaan
13 – Mjekevu
14 – JPP
15 – Viljoen
Looks a whole lot better than we had this year.
5 Dec 2011, 12:12 pm
@Puma(Puma)-193:
Bit unlikely hey!?
Would be a bit too much of ‘out with the old, in with the new’. Jordaan & Mjekevu would be good fringe players IMO.
9 Charl McLeod / 20 Carel Hoffmann
10 Patrick Lambie / 21 Frederic Michalak
11 Lwazi Mvovo
12 Meyer Bosman
13 Tim Whitehead / 22 ****** *******
14 JP Pietersen
15 Riaan Viljoen
Something like that maybe?
Have to say I’m a fan of the rotating bench for younger players.
Instead of doing what the Sharks did with Carel Hoffmann for example, rotate your younger players out off the bench every week so they get game-time at VC level.
Province did it with Groom & Schreuder for large pats of the Currie Cup. I pray they’d do the same with some others… something like:
16 Liebenberg & Ntubeni
17 Kitshoff & Malherbe
18 Roux & Etzebeth
19 Kolisi & Carr
20 Schreuder & Groom
21 van Aswegen & Swiel
22 (JP) du Plessis & Jacobs
5 Dec 2011, 12:15 pm
Carlos Spencer, the Lions Assistant Coach, had a Boxing Bout in NZ over the weekend, against Awen Guttenbiel, a former Rugby League Pro.
Worth a look, link below.
http://youtu.be/OW0yLr2GsJM
5 Dec 2011, 12:15 pm
@Puma(Puma)-193:
There is plenty potential there mate.The midfield will struggle to gel at beginning and on defense BUT the more they play together the BETTER.in a couple of years they could be outstanding. Both Jordaan & Mjekevu are GENUINE line breaking threats with freakish speed and awesome feet to boot. The less I see of Bosman,JLP,Joubert-the better.
The core of that backline is young as well
Lambie 21
Mvovo-25
Jordaan-19
Mjekevu 20
JP-25
Viljoen-28
5 Dec 2011, 12:18 pm
Mshini and Hendrik P
Sharks look very thin at lock, which is why I think coaches were trying Deysel at 4 (to some success) during Currie Cup.
But shifting Deysel to the second row leaves Sharks thin re loose forward depth (now compounded with Adonga moving to Bulls.
4) Deysel, Marais
5) Hargreaves, Skeate, Bresler
6) Daniel, Botes, Kleynhans
7) Alberts
8) Kankowski, Coetzee
Sharks need a serious enforcer 4 lock and one or two more loosie options.
Also, Michalak has intimated he’d like to return to France to take another crack at the national side.
So Lambie and Potgieter will defs be the 10 options, with Viljoen and Ludik at 15.
Surely?
5 Dec 2011, 12:20 pm
@hendrikp(hendrikp)-194: Meyer Bosman never impressed me much this past season. Might need more game time but I like what I have seen of Jordaan and Mjekevu.
Hoffman needs plenty game time. He really never lived up to expectations this year. I would start Freddie at scrummie this year. He as great there for Sharks in CC 2008. With Lambie at fh, Jordaan inside centere and outside centre Mjekevu.
Though knowing Plum we will have Bosman at 12 and probably Whitehead at 13.
5 Dec 2011, 12:20 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-196:
Always nice to see younger players given opportunities…
But if you stick too many of them in at once, you’re headed for a downward spiral.
Experience really does count in some cases. It projects confidence, a know-how & they bounce back better from disappointment.
The Jordaan & Mjekevu combination would be PERFECT for the Sharks U-21′s in 2012.
5 Dec 2011, 12:24 pm
That Stormers training squad looks very impressive to me.
I can’t understand the hysterical moaning by some poster/s on this site.
It’s mystifying to me that someone would criticise their favoured team so harshly.
I’m not saying one shouldn’t criticise or comment or analyse.
But when opinions seem to be based on such high emotion and hysteria as opposed to looking at the facts.
The Stormers have a healthy squad.
Yes, Louw, Sadie, Engelbrecht and now Jacques Fourie have gone.
And Peter Grant may well be gone for longer at some point soon.
But look at that depth.
And look at the youngsters coming through.
It’s ironic that hysterical posters who called for some experienced Bok players’ heads cite the need for experience when I bring up the youngsters in the Stormers squad.
But I don’t subscribe to the opinion that Rassie and Coetzee are managing their youngsters badly.
Look at how Elstadt, Kisthoff and Malherbe came through.
I have confidence that Ntubeni, Roux, Etsebeth, Johannes, Kolisi, Carr, Groom, Van Aswegen, Swiel, Brache, Du Plessis will all make some sort of promising impact.
And the likes of Francis and Pieterson may well be very welcome additions indeed.
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