JP Pietersen believes Zekhethelo Siyaya has shown he is more than capable of filling the No 10 jersey, after the teenager starred in the Sharks’ emphatic Vodacom URC win over Benetton at Kings Park.
The 18-year-old was handed a surprise start at flyhalf and produced a mature performance as the Sharks ran in eight tries to crush the Italian visitors 46-7 with one more round in the regular season to go.
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Pietersen said Siyaya looked completely at home in the pivotal playmaking role.
“He’s only 18 years old but it looks like he’s been there for ages,” said the Sharks coach.
“You could see he had a couple of little moments, but man, I’m just so happy for that kid.
“To express himself, to back himself. He’s a young man who really loves the Sharks and he gives everything – that’s the beauty of it.
“He answered my questions at 10 and showed that he can do the job there.”
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While Siyaya and Man of the Match hat-trick hero Jurenzo Julius caught the eye, Pietersen was quick to praise the Sharks forwards for laying the foundation.
“Obviously we’ve got exciting backs with Jurenzo, Siyaya, Jaco [Williams], Edwill [van der Merwe] and obviously the guys coming on and André [Esterhuizen] there as the older guy,” he said.
“But it all starts with the set-piece and we must give credit to the pack.
“I think Emile [van Heerden] led well, Oxie [Ox Nché] and [Vincent] Koch scrummed well, so we must give credit to the forwards who set the platform for the backs.”
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The Sharks round off their season against the other Italian team, Zebre, in Durban next Saturday.
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
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