TELFORD VICE, Durban | Tuesday 11.50am.
NATAL are about to their already enviable depth at scrumhalf with the acquisition of Dave von Hoesslin.
Von Hoesslin, back from the Springboks’ Tri-Nations visit to Australasia, said Griqualand West had been reluctant to select him on his return as “it was at a critical stage of the Currie Cup and Griquas were still in with a chance. So they didn’t want to pick me because they felt it would disrupt their gameplan”.
He added the Kimberley-based side knew he would, in any case, have left next year, and when Natal heard of his non-selection they were enthusiastic about signing him.
“I had to choose between Natal and Western Province, and I have made my decision,” Von Hoesslin said in Durban on Monday night.
Springbok or not, Von Hoesslin will have to fight off considerable competition for ownership of the black-and-white number nine jersey. No sooner had the impressive Hentie Martens been halted by injury this season than young Craig Davidson stepped into the breach with remarkable poise and innovation.
Von Hoesslin, by contrast, was less than steady for the Boks against the All Blacks during the 28-0 thumping in Dunedin last month. — MWP
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