Sharksworld has reliably learned that Bok tourist Craig Burden will remain in Durban next year.
With his current deal expiring at the end of October – and much interest in his services from a number of local teams as well as some in Europe – it was feared that Burden may opt to continue his career elsewhere, given the relative lack of Super Rugby game time he’s enjoyed over a number of years spent in the shadow of the likes of John Smit and Bismarck du Plessis.
According to our information, though, Burden’s loyalty to the team he loves won through (yet again) and he will remain with the Sharks for the next two seasons.
We will provide official confirmation as soon as we can.
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the ultimate team man,i salute you hulk
Craig you legend!
Good stuff!
Great news. I really do rate Burden. It also has to speak volumes of the Sharks team environment for us to keep so many players. Remember the Beast and JP offers?
Top man. He’ll get a crack at the early part of the Super 15 with BdP’s long term injury, won’t he?
I think it is brilliant especially how he has always been there waiting his chance and took it every time. A player that everyone else should take note of
Awesome news, I really rate Burden as an all round footballer.
I rate Plumtree should rest Bissy more and play this guy. It would be extremely beneficial for both the Sharks and the Bokke if Bismark pulls a Richie McCaw and takes a break from the opening couple of rounds in Super Rugby. He can return with three or four weeks remaining before the test break, prove his selection credentials to Meyer and then play out the last, crucial, stage of the competition for the Sharks.
Bissy will be more fresh, more energetic and will sustain himself through the international season this way. Burden is a more than ample replacement.
What impact do you guys think this will have on Kyle Cooper?
Surely he is too good a player to be any unions 3rd choice hooker.
@13 (Comment 9) : Even better reason for resting Bissy early season. Give Kyle a chance to experience Super Rugby as well
It’s a risk, I conceed that, but the long-term benefits could be big. 
@13 (Comment 9) : getting injured ahead of the Currie Cup was a big blow for Kyle, make no mistake.
He’s frustrated about the amount of Vodacom Cup rugga he’s had to play over the last few years… and who can blame him for that? I think he was hoping to use this Currie Cup campaign as a springboard to sort of launch his career afresh – showcase what he can do. Now he only has 3 (or hopefully 5) games in which to do that.
The Sharks will keep him if he’s keen to stay, I’m sure, but I’m really not sure where his head is at the moment.
@robdylan (Comment 11) :
I really like Cooper. In my opinion he is actually a better hooker than Burden. Think he would do well to move to a team like WP as I think they are lacking a bit of depth at hooker.
The guy is still young for a front rower, so at least he still has time on his side. The last thing I want to see is him leaving to try and make his future overseas as I feel that would be a big loss for SA.
Burden is a very dynamic player, but he needs to work on the tighter aspects of hooker play – the set pieces and his tackling rate is a bit low.
I also rate Cooper as a better hooker than Burden
@The Sharks Sharkie (Comment 10) : Sharkie according to headlines after Bissie injured himself did say he would not be in time for the start of SR, so maybe your wish, if not mine
, will be granted.
@13 (Comment 9) : I am very conflicted here, I love Burden and he has been loyal to the Sharks and bidded his time, but I feel Kyle’s set piece is better. I would genuinely hate seeing either one of Burden or Cooper go! and both Natal boys
Of course it goes without saying that Bismarck is a given in the team 
Time will tell .
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 14) : glad to hear he has signed for next 2 years, but he must get more game time. If we don’t use Burden as a hooker because of Bimarck why not give him a go at openside? I’m sure the side of the scrum will be better for him than doing a Lambie on the bench the whole time.
I think we are pretty much set with the openside cover in Daniel-Botes-Coetzee-Stander-Kleinhans able to play there.