Cell C Sharks flyhalf Lionel Cronje came to Durban on loan, for the Carling Currie Cup and has made his presence known, both on and off the field, as a player and a mentor.
He previously spent 2014 and 2015 here and coming back to the Cell C Sharks for the second time, admits that the experience has been incredible.
“It’s really been welcoming and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being back here at The Sharks. It’s been a great opportunity for me to get involved with local rugby and try to add as much value as I can to this younger group of players. This is a young, but very talented group in this Carling Currie Cup campaign with all the guys away with the Springboks but it’s meant there are opportunities for other players which was necessary to fill that gap.
“They’re developing a certain culture here and I feel that I’ve really fitted in here. The experience of being back has been awesome for me mentally as well as to try add value for the younger players in the group.”
On a personal level, he’s contributed hugely at 10 but puts it down to the license the team has to play with freedom of expression.
“The Cell C Sharks are playing a particular brand of rugby which allows us, as players, to flourish and play attacking rugby. We’re trying to play an exciting brand that’s captivating and different from a lot of the other teams in South Africa.
“This starts with the game model the Cell C Sharks are trying to implement with Sean Everitt driving it. He’s a very positive coach who wants us to express ourselves and allows us to take those opportunities on the field where we can showcase our talents.
“The energy the young players bring allows us to play that kind of rugby and hopefully we can keep building on that.”
Although he came to the Cell C Sharks on a short-term loan for the Currie Cup, he doesn’t discount returning once more.
“I have travelled around a lot and struggled to find a home for myself in South Africa, so if the opportunity presented itself and the timing was right, I’d definitely consider it. I’d love to play in the URC [United Rugby Championship] so it would be exciting to see what opportunities arise out of my short stint here.”
Having contributed his rugby talents all across South Africa, a Currie Cup trophy remains elusive and would close out his brief time with the Cell C Sharks on a high note.
“From a leadership point of view, because I’m just here temporarily, I’m trying to add as much value off the field, particularly with the senior players and leaders in the team as well as adding a different dynamic with how we think of the game, which is something I’ve experienced with New Zealand coaches in Japan.
“Looking back to 2010, that was the last Currie Cup Final I was involved with [for Western Province], and to win it would rank up there. I haven’t won many trophies and to win the oldest rugby competition in the world would be amazing.
“We have a really good opportunity to do that this year, it’s something we all dream of as youngsters in South Africa and not everyone has the opportunity, so I’m definitely pumped to try win the Currie Cup.”
The post Making his Mark appeared first on The Sharks.
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Quick Durban KwaZulu-Natal Fact: Durban, otherwise known as eThekwini, is recognised as the largest city in KwaZulu-Natal and is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. Durban is famous for the warm, subtropical weather and vast, amazing beaches, which makes it a tropical paradise for lazy, relaxing days in the sun and exciting nights filled with bright lights, music and busy streets filled with people and an energy that is exciting yet can’t quite be defined.
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