The 37-year-old South African scrum half, who played the last two seasons under the colors of Montauban in ProD2, (re)discovers another rugby within the Ruthenian hinge… But not this Sunday against Caussade ( 3:15 p.m.) at Paul-Lignon during the 4th day of Fédérale 3. Explanations.
There have been changes in the Ruthenian ranks this summer, particularly in the key position of scrum half. A No. 9 that Axel Riols and Corentin Aigoui wore last season, and which is now also on the back of a choice recruit: Shaun Venter. As agreed with these three blood and gold, explains Tim Bowker, coach in charge of the three-quarters, the position rotates for “ let young people play “. As will be the case today (3:15 p.m. at Paul-Lignon) against Caussade, with Riols in No. 9 and Venter, “who has already played in every position at the back, except No. 10”on the wing. And “have two scrum halves on the field”it is also “for the strategy we want to use (against Caussade) “adds Patrick Furet, the head coach.
The last three seasons in ProD2
This is the experience that Rodez rugby sought by offering the South African at the end of his contract in Montauban (ProD2) to settle down on the Piton. At 37 years old, Venter has a CV that will make the eyes of RR young shoots shine. After leaving his native country, where he notably played with the Pumas and the Cheetahs, the scrum-half played two seasons in Wales with the Ospreys, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic (2019-2021), before sign in France. He first wore the tunic of Bayonne, in the second division, then he moved to Montauban in 2022. And here he is today five divisions lower. A change of dimension for the professional.
In search of experienced players to support Ruthenian youth, Thomas Lacombe, the president of the RR, admits with a smile that he contacted Venter “without much conviction”given his CV. But the professional was seduced by the project and the city, he who is “fell in love with France and want to stay there”specifies Lacombe. “ It was a very good transition opportunity for me and to help the club go up (in Federal 2)”, observes the South African in his mother tongue. He continues: “ I’m not going to retire yet but I’m close to it. “ And it must be said that slowing down the pace, with three training sessions per week, instead of one every day as he was used to, allows him to breathe physically and keep his strength up.
On the lawn, Sundays, the game “is simpler, there are fewer things to remember”notes Shaun Venter, who makes the comparison with the game “very structured” that he knew across the Channel. In the first matches of the season, Lacombe assessed Venter “a quarter of what he can do” and like “quite introverted”but it goes with his character according to the manager: “He’s not someone who’s going to impose himself.” Especially since the scrum half, although he understands it rather well, does not yet have a perfect command of the language of Molière. Which is not easy at this key position of ball distribution and communication. “I find it easier to speak French on the pitch, because it’s rugby”he smiled, observing: “I don’t talk much, so I want my actions to speak for me on the pitch.”
