Glory beckons for Snyman and Sharks
Andre Snyman's own form in 2002 has mirrored that of the Sharks' often bumpy route to potential riches. Just when you'd expect him to produce his best form after a slow start to the season, he's been sidelined by injury for another few weeks. But as Mark Andrews and his men close in on the Currie Cup playoffs, the proverbial pot of gold, the championship, beckons for individual and team alike.
The bad news for opponents, starting with Griquas, visitors to the Absa Stadium on Saturday afternoon, is that the physically imposing midfielder on Wednesday passed a fitness test on the rib injury that has sidelined him for the past two weekends.
"It has been frustrating," Snyman admitted after being given the green light to return. "Every time I've been having a decent run I seem to have been struck down by injury, first the hamstring then the ribs. But it's OK now and I'm raring to go if I'm picked."
Though the starting lineup has yet to be finalised, fans can take it as read that the 100kg gladiator will take his place at outside centre ahead of Joos Joubert, who offered similar qualities to those which Snyman brings to the team.
The 28-year-old Newcastle-born, product of Dundee High School has learnt to take relatively minor setbacks such as these in his stride. Snyman could write a book on how to overcome adversity, having fought his way back to the top-flight after two potentially career-ending injuries that saw him break an ankle in the act of scoring a try for the Boks against the All Blacks at Loftus in 1999, then the other ankle in his comeback game for DHS Old Boys at King's Park the following season.
His resolve to make it back never wilted and, though he has lost a yard or two of the blinding pace that saw him first make the Springbok side on the wing in 1996 (he positively oozed class when Nick Mallett utilised him in his favourite position at centre when the Boks toured Europe at the end of 1997), his immense strength and ability to stay on his feet in the tackle give him an edge when it comes to contesting the outside centre berth.
Offered
He is also glad of the move at the end of the 1999 season that saw him relocate from the Blue Bulls to the province he was reared in. "Look, I had some wonderful times in Pretoria," Snyman explained, "but I felt that I needed to leave there in order to progress as a player and Natal offered me that option."
Snyman believes that the Sharks are finally beginning to reap the rewards brought about by a change in coach midway through the Super 12 after Rudolf Straeuli left for the Bok job and Kevin Putt returned from Ireland.
"Both coaches have done really well for the team," he believes. "Rudolf Straeuli brought discipline to the Sharks, which was sorely needed at that time, and a rigid gameplan. Putt, while not having to enforce the same kind of discipline, is also big on ensuring we adhere to that aspect but he does allow us a bit more latitude in terms of the overall gameplan.
Machines
"Whenever a new coach comes in there's bound to be some kind of transition. Players are not like machines. We can't automatically switch over and adapt to what the new coach wants implemented straight away. It's bound to take time and some guys will adapt quicker than others - but we're getting there."
Snyman believes this season has seen a rise in the standard of the Currie Cup competition, stating: "It's definitely been a step up from last season."
So what does he make of the Sharks' major threats - in a nutshell. "Well, Free State have come from nowhere this season, you can obviously see how hungry they are for success.
"The Bulls have also done well. Despite a few lean seasons they have kept faith with their players and it's paying off, who knows what they're going to achieve in the next couple of seasons.
"Province have won the Currie Cup for the past two seasons, an achievement which speaks for itself, and the Lions have also picked themselves up and emerged as real contenders. But I think a Sharks/Cheetahs final would be a great spectacle."