Sergeal proves it's not the shape of the ball that matters

Springbok flyer Sergeal Petersen certainly put both his hands up for a Proteas call-up in the future with some sublime catching in the outfield Thursday night. Photo by: Paul Harding

Springbok flyer Sergeal Petersen certainly put both his hands up for a Proteas call-up in the future with some sublime catching in the outfield Thursday night. Photo by: Paul Harding

Published Dec 8, 2016

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IS it a bird, is it a plane? No, it’s a wing. Springbok flyer Sergeal Petersen certainly put both his hands up for a Proteas call-up in the future with some sublime catching in the outfield Thursday night.

Petersen leaped though the air like a cheetah hunting down his prey when he took a two-handed catch mid air right on the boundary. It was a follow-up to an equally brilliant catch on his bootlaces a few overs earlier.

Bok coach Allister Coetzee would certainly have been impressed with the winger’s handling of the small ball, while Springbok and Stormers lock Eben Etzebeth issued an early Super Rugby warning on social media.

“Stormers won't be kicking high balls on @SergeaLSP15 next year,” Etzebeth tweeted.

The Newlands faithful were certainly enjoying seeing the rugby heroes try their hand at another skill set. After a couple of rough weeks in Europe on the rugby field it was a great sight to see players like “The Other Faf” – Bok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk – just enjoying himself out there and smiling out on the paddock again.

In fact, the rugby boys took it one step further by all coming out to play sucking lollipops and mints. After his travails on the recent Australian tour Proteas captain Faf du Plessis found the little stunt amusing when he was handed one too.

Rugby fans are well versed with Bok hooker Trevor Nyankane’s choreographed try-scoring celebrations but last night the Bulls No 2 gave the cricket public a taste of new dance he’s planning for next season. It was a bit of shake, rattle and roll that had the crowd in raptures.

In between all the hit and giggles there were some players who took all this rather seriously though. Conrad Jantjies, who is still in the sort of shape that could see him claim the Bok No 15 jersey next year, showed why he played South African Schools cricket.

He charged in from the Wynberg End and delivered some vicious away-swingers that could get him a look-in as a franchise cricketer if he chose to go that route.

Jantjies is certainly likely to get a call-up before former Proteas captain Graeme Smith. “Biff” was meant to be trumpcard in the Bok line-up, but 20 overs certainly seems to be too long a period to be in the field for a man that once conquered the mighty Aussies over five gruelling days.

Watching the Boks and Proteas play together on the same field would surely have pleased Tata Madiba for if only for one night they have brought smiles to the faces of the nation. He loved both teams dearly and was certainly looking on from above with approval that his legacy lives on in both sporting codes well after his passing.

Independent Media

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