Corruption has now turned Second Beach, in Port St Johns, Eastern Cape, into the deadliest beach in the world. An Austrian tourist was killed there at the weekend in a shark attack.
Eight people have been killed by sharks at this Wild Coast holiday destination in the past five years. The beach reportedly has no lifeguards to man designated areas because Port St Johns municipality did not renew their contracts.
The money has gone instead to fund expensive lifestyles and German cars.
Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism CEO Luxolo Rubushe said that Port St Johns had the highest number of shark-related deaths in the world.
The 72-year-old victim was cooling off in shallow water just a few metres from the crowded beach when he was dragged into the sea.
Beachgoers, including his wife, watched in horror.
Siphesihle Mangcotywa, 26, said the man had been swimming with three others.
“Suddenly people started screaming and running towards the shore and the next thing there was just blood in the water next to the man. He did not even scream but tried to swim towards the shore. His three companions were about a metre away and watched helplessly. They also ran to the shore,” he said.
The man’s body washed up about an hour and half later.
New Sharks recruit SP Marais said it was not easy leaving Port Elizabeth for Durban, following his recent switch from the Southern Kings, but felt the move was necessary for his long-term ambitions.
The 24-year-old was the biggest pre-Currie Cup signing for the KwaZulu-Natal side and their new coaching staff.
Marais revealed on Tuesday he turned down offers from the Bulls and Cheetahs following his former team’s relegation from Super Rugby.
“There were a few options but I had to look at the bigger picture,” he said.
“I had to make a sound decision and, for any rugby player, the most important thing is your game time and that was one of the big factors that brought me here.”
The Cape Town-born player made a successful start with the Sharks scoring a match-winning try on debut against the Lions last Friday.
“As you see, I’ve been here a week and already got the opportunity,” Marais said.
“I need to use these opportunities now, so that when Super Rugby comes around next year, I’ve already found my place here.
“The first game was good, but it was more about the team winning and I’m glad I was part of that.”
His decision to leave Eastern Province was based on his ultimate goal to play for the Springboks.
“If you want to go further and into the green and gold, then this is the way to do it.
“So it was time for me to move and I’m very happy to be here.”
Marais credited Alan Zondagh, former Western Cape coach and founder of the Rugby Performance Center (RPC), as well as ex-Springbok assistant Alan Solomons, who recently left the Kings, for enhancing his development.
“The two of them played quite a big role in my career,” he said.
The Sharks on Tuesday confirmed Jacques Botes would stay on as captain for the competition, despite the return of Keegan Daniel.
The regular skipper missed the opening two games of the campaign with a knee injury, but would be back this week, said backs coach Sean Everitt.
“We want to keep Jacques as captain just for continuity purposes,” Everitt said. “
Just because it’s a new group, with new coaches, the more continuity you have the better. He’s done really well and we want him to continue.”
Daniel would wear the number six jersey instead of Brynard Stander, who was ruled out due to a ligament problem.
Odwa Ndungane and Tim Whitehead (ankle and rib) were also out — the former after sustaining a hamstring injury on Friday, although Sizo Maseko, Jean Deysel and Marco Wentzel have all been passed fit to play. – Sapa
Lock Pieter-Steph du Toit has ended weeks of speculation over his future by signing a new two-year deal at the Sharks, the Durban union announced on Friday.
Reports were rife over the past month, suggesting the out-of-contract 20-year-old was being targeted by some of the other major unions.
Du Toit, a member of the Junior Springbok team which won the Under-20 World Cup last year, is highly rated by national coach Heyneke Meyer and was in line for his senior national debut during in June before he was withdrawn due to injury.
“We are delighted to have secured the signature of a player of the calibre of Pieter-Steph,” said Sharks commercial manager Rudolf Straeuli.
“We not only identified him, but he has also been developed through the Sharks Academy and has a bright future ahead of him.”
New Sharks chief executive John Smit said he was thrilled the promising youngster would remain in Durban.
“Pieter-Steph has shown great promise and he has had a positive impact on the team, since joining the senior set-up,” Smit said.
Du Toit missed the back end of his team’s disappointing Super Rugby campaign with a sternum injury.
“As a 20-year-old rugby player, I am living my dream and I am extremely privileged to be identified by the Sharks as a player who can play a role in the province going forward,” Du Toit said.
“I will continue to learn from the many experienced players in our team and I hope that I can make the contribution required and expected of me.
“I will work as hard as I can and always do my best for the Sharks.” – Sapa
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Corruption has now turned Second Beach, in Port St Johns, Eastern Cape, into the deadliest beach in the world. An Austrian tourist was killed there at the weekend in a shark attack.
