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Cape Town - Joe Pietersen’s versatility has been welcomed by the Sharks as they prepare for their 2015 Currie Cup campaign.
The 31-year-old has joined the Durbanites after a stint at the Cheetahs that saw him deployed mostly at flyhalf this past Super Rugby season. Before that, though, Pietersen was best known as the enterprising Stormers fullback with a bright future. He may not have reached the heights he would have liked, but Pietersen looks set to play a big part in the Sharks’ Currie Cup season.
"He’s a very good goal kicker, so depending on the make-up of our team, we could utilise him at 10 or 15," Sharks backline coach Sean Everitt said.
"He’s shown at training that he’s extremely versatile in both positions. We will see what the team needs, pick the strongest backline we can and if it’s Joe at 10 or 15, it doesn’t really bother us."
Looking at the rest of his backline, Everitt was excited with what he had at his disposal and said that Super Rugby experience for some of the younger players this season would have prepared them well for the Currie Cup.
"Andre Esterhuizen only had one Super Rugby game last year, but this year had almost a full season," said Everitt.
"If you look at scrumhalf, Stefan Ungerer came through well. S’bura Sithole was really, really good an probably our standout player at the end (of Super Rugby)
"With the local guys we had playing Super Rugby, this will give us experience and they are going to gain from that."
Everitt was also pleased by the Sharks’ intake of players.
"We’ve gained some really good players," said Everitt, making reference of utility back Wandile Mjekevu and Pietersen.
"We also welcomed Michael Claassens, who will prove invaluable to us with his experience and will form part of our leadership group.
"We have a good make-up of players, with some youngsters coming through as well which is great for us."
