The Sharks Rugby Union must be on some kind of high after news hit late yesterday that Steven Sykes has signed a 1 year contract with them, and now they have managed to extend the contracts of most of their big name players.
Sharksrugby has confirmed that players such as Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis and Beast Mtawarira, as well as the youngsters who will be taking over from the Springboks, such as Lwazi Mvovo, Sbusiso Sithole, Lubabalo Mthembu and Patrick Lambie, have all extended their current contracts with the Sharks.
This serves as great news to both the union and the fans, as the union will not have to be worried about players walking out on short notice, and the fans can rest easily knowing their favourite stars will be playing week in and week out at Mr Price Kings Park.
The Sharks boast an interesting split of talent, ranging from players who are breaking into the senior rugby scene, as well as having seasoned veterans, such as Jacques Botes, who might just reach 200 combined Super Rugby and Currie Cup caps this season.
The most interesting fact to come from the Sharksrugby article is – of the 54 ex-Sharks Academy players to represent the Sharks, 30 have come from KZN Schools, placing massive emphasis on the backing of local talent.
We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the players on their new contracts, we all can surely not wait to see them in action.
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bloody lovely!
Indeed.
Nice!!!
Am I the only one thinking that something imperceptible is shifting in the power base at the Sharks?
Great stuff. But 30/54 is not really that impressive
More good news!
@JarsonX (Comment 5) : are you mad? It’s brilliant!
Man before I read the article I thought the noises were from the grunting and groaning of trying to push Streauli out the door. 😛
@JarsonX (Comment 5) : seriously, I doubt that any unions besides WP has a higher proportion of locally schooled boys going through their academy
@JarsonX (Comment 5) :
What figure would you like to see then?
That means that more than half of the Academy players that make a success of things and represent the Sharks, come from Natal schools.
I don’t think many other provinces can boast those percentages..
@robdylan (Comment 9) : It’s great but 70% wouldve been better 🙂
This surely means that Mjekevu isn’t in the reckoning in terms of our superugby squad. I had also heard that he is training with the Vodacom squad, maybe he isn’t having it all his way.
@robdylan (Comment 9) : @Richard Ferguson (Comment 10) : How does the Academy work? Can anyone enroll (assuming of course you meet the entry requirements), or does the Academy recruit?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 8) : let’s give credit where it’s due, though…. Rudolf has done well here
@Culling Song (Comment 13) : Yes anyone can enroll.
It ranges from you paying 100% of your own costs to the Sharks paying 100% of your costs to anywhere in between.
It is of course depended on whether you are accepted or not.
It’s also important to know that not only player come through the academy. They also have referees at the academy.
@Culling Song (Comment 13) :
I am not 100% sure how it works..
I am sure Rob or beet will be able to answer that..
@robdylan (Comment 14) : I don’t think any of these were going anywhere. Holding on to what you have should be easy.
It is getting SUITABLE players that we need in the positions we need them in that would make me think he has done well.
The best thing Streauli has done is cutting the dead wood and letting it go.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 15) : In that case, I reckon a 30/54 ratio is pretty good!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 17) : my view is Dolf has done well to find budget to keep these guys. Now Plum needs to come to the party by picking them.
@Culling Song (Comment 18) : you’ll need to convince them that you know your stuff… so as a player, you’ll need to have some decent credentials to enroll.
If you haven’t been scouted by the Sharks and offered a bursary or junior contract, though, you need to pay your own fees… something like R30k a year at present.
@robdylan (Comment 20) : That’s not bad!
Excellent news. With the groups of core players we are sure to achieve some great things… if Plum pulls his head out and grows a pair.
@robdylan (Comment 20) : I think that’s cheaper than enrolling at CTI for a year!
This is great news. 😆
@robdylan (Comment 20) : It’s R70k for the year plus expenses.
@robdylan (Comment 19) : I’m with you on that Rob. It is comforting to hear of these contract extensions, however, when I think of the number of players that have left the Sharks and other teams like the Lions, before their contracts expired, I wonder how much these extensions really mean.
@lostfish (Comment 25) : oh really? Showing how out of touch I am!
@Dancing Bear (Comment 26) : Very good point that. The Sharks are a union that are usually happy to let a player go if he wants to leave regardless of his contract status.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 28) : and it’s a pretty mature stance that too.
Lambie confirmed on a VERY generous deal until end of 2014.
GOOD WORK RUDOLF!
@robdylan (Comment 30) :
Well done son!!
@robdylan (Comment 30) : That IS great work.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 32) : @Richard Ferguson (Comment 31) : @robdylan (Comment 30) : He’s earned it!
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 33) : damn straight