Credible reports coming out of both Durban and South-West France suggest that versatile prop Eugene van Staden will shortly be released from his Sharks contract, in order that he may join Biarritz Olympique permanently.
Van Staden, who has established himself as a key member of the Sharks front-row since arriving from Montpellier two years ago, was sent to play for Biarritz on a loan basis over the Christmas break and has only recently returned to Durban to join the Sharks squad for pre-season training. The French club have been looking for a long-term replacement for another South African, Eduard Coetzee, forced to retire on medical grounds a few months back.
According to the information we have, van Staden so impressed during his 2-month loan stint that the Basque club have been prepared to offer the Sharks a generous transfer fee in order to secure his services. With the Sharks well-stocked in the front row anyway – particularly given the glut of quality young props now coming of age – they appear to have jumped at the chance.
We’re awaiting official confirmation on this one, but our expectation is that the Sharks will shortly announce van Staden’s departure.
Tweet
Very interesting.
Its a sad loss, all the best on that side Gena.
So we have another player leaving/left. Hmmmmmmm
I am glad about one thing at least. None of the players leaving are our top players in their position.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 2) :
Agreed, one gets the feeling they are leaving due to our depth and juniors coming through..
Good decision for all parties, certainly is a useful squad/bench player but Herbst and Chadwick will provide cover, plus a few good youngsters such as Schonert and Dell should ensure we have extra depth.
A bit of a worry losing him coz he was a versatile prop with experience.
I think the Sharks need to respond to his departure by signing a prop with a bit of experience at playing both sides of the scrum, at least on a short term basis.
Herbst
Chadwick
Redelinghuys
are the sum of our depth chart after the starters.
Schonert is a good prospect but a 100% novice, I don’t even think he’s had Vodacom Cup experience. Mienie, very active player but hard to see him making the leap up to the seniors (ever)
@Pat (Comment 4) : Yeah, agreed. We also have Julian Redelinghuys in the mix. We are certainly well stocked at prop.
@beet (Comment 5) : Signing another prop would be counter-productive. We have three youngsters who are ready to play Super rugby, why block their path?
@beet (Comment 5) :
Ideal opportunity for Herbst and Chadwick to get some more game time, same as for Redelinghuys.
If they don’t step up, then we can start looking at more imports.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 8) : @war1 (Comment 7) : You guys are probably right.
The Sharks toyed with the idea of using Chadwick as a TH cover last year on tour. Now I feel they have to step it up. Work out the kinks in his technique and give his some game time in the position in pre-season and the Vodacom Cup.
Heaven forbid that anything happens to Jannie injury-wise. That wud open a place for Herbst but could result in a problem on the bench with Chadwick being overlooked to accommodate a TH like Redelinghuys. But flexibility wud be affected.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 3) :
@war1 (Comment 7) :
Agreed. We have the youngsters and signing someone else will just send the wrong signal.
PLUS. We know (knew) what we have (had) in him as a bench prop. Now we have an opening on the bench that could unearth a future great, rather than sticking with V Staden.
not such a big loss being bit of a penalty machine of late
@beet (Comment 9) : I’d happily sacrifice a little flexibility if there is a prospect of unearthing a future STARting prop.
@BR (Comment 11) : There was only really the 1 or 2 matches where he got penalised.
He was (is) an excellent backup IMO, but IMO we also need to stop holding onto backups and try and use/develop our youngsters to see what they have to offer.
Good for him. Really like him, but with jannie and bismarck I guess it is difficult to make a mark.
its always ‘nice to have a good player like him as a backup, but if the move works for all parties involved then I’m happy, agree with KSA that I’m just happy that at the moment we are not losing front line players…….
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 8) : Agree 100%
@war1 (Comment 7) : 100%. Rather save up some cash for Frans Steyn.
@GreatSharksays (Comment 17) : I think we should sort Mjekevu out first.
Sad news but probably the smartest move for Eugene at this stage of his career.
@war1 (Comment 18) :
Agreed!
It’s a loss but it is not a huge loss as we have plenty of cover and a few decent up and comers. Biarritz is a nice place to live and there are some great beaches and nice surfing, especially at Hossegor
Best of luck Gena, enjoyed your few galloping runs down the touchline.
It would be a loss to the Sharks and SA< van Staden is a good scrummer and ball carrier and gets around the park
Well, at least he got proper chances and gametime, unlike JLP.
@GreatSharksays (Comment 17) : AGREED
Good luck to him, it is a big loss, but this is the professional game, at least we still have the Bok front row, with quality youngsters coming through.
Any confirmation yet?
@bergshark (Comment 27) : it’s definitely on… but nothing official