THE Empangeni Rugby Football Club (ERFC) have been allocated four Sharks’ team members that will play for them this season, when not selected for The Sharks’ match days.
The Jake White and John Smit initiative to strengthen, as well as improve the standard and profile of club rugby in the Premiere League, saw contracted Sharks’ players being dispersed amongst the eight Premiership Clubs.
ERFC have been given JP Pietersen, Wian Hay, Danie Minnie and Edwin Hewitt.
These four contracted players will play for the Rhinos if they are not selected for The Sharks and Sharks XV sides over the weekend.
If injured or unavailable to play, these players will attend the practice sessions to assist and ‘make their presence felt.’
White will receive a full report from club coaches and staff on a weekly basis on the players’ performances and behaviour to monitor the initiative.
JP Petersen, who has represented The Sharks and Sprinkbok team regularly, will certainly be a mighty addition to the Rhinos set-up when available.
Lock Wian Hay, who played Currie Cup for the Blue Bulls in his younger years and played for the Sharks XV side in the Vodacom Cup in 2013, will bring his size and experience to the team.
Ex-Zululand Rugby Academy prop Danie Minnie will return home after playing for The Sharks XV side in 2013.
Former Griquas’ lock, Sharks XV and Currie Cup player from 2013, Edwin Hewitt will bring his line-out skills to the game.
‘We are very excited to add these four players into the ERFC family and look forward to learning from them and benefiting from their experience on and off the field,’ said first team coach Warren Graff.
