The Sharks have not said anything officially, but Brynard Stander’s agents have confirmed the open secret that the former Westville Boy will play his rugby in Australia – for at least the next two years.
23-year-old Stander made his way through the Sharks age-group and Vodacom Cup ranks to play a relatively small role at Currie Cup level over the last two seasons. As a player who impressed with his high work-rate and uncompromising approach, comparisons to the likes of Willem Alberts and Jean Deysel were inevitable and with those two wrecking balls still firmly in the picture, along with a myriad of other back row options in Durban, it’s perhaps unsurprising that Stander battled to force his way into Super Rugby contention.
He was singled out by new Director of Rugby Brendan Venter as a special player ahead of this year’s Currie Cup, though and enjoyed starts in both of the opening games of the campaign (scoring a maiden try in the second of those). Injury, however, cut short his run in the side and once rotated out, he battled to re-establish himself.
Stander’s profile on the Union Sports Group website confirms that he has “taken up a position with the Western Force in Australia for the next two years.” He would presumably have joined the Force with a view to securing Australian qualification at some stage in the future.
We’d like to wish Bry all the best on his new adventure.
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This is so sad to see. I was waiting to see how he might go in Super 15. I wish him luck nonetheless 🙁
@[email protected] (Comment 1) : I’m pretty sure you’ll see that anyway.
Brynard made the right choice. The Sharks have too many loose forwards.
@robdylan (Comment 2) : Rob, why do you assume he wants to play for Australia?
@Flashman (Comment 3) : because that’s the “deal” for non-marquee players signed by Aussie franchises. Isn’t it?
And another one gone. Imagine the Aussie commentators trying to get there tongues around his name! 😆 If they can’t get Hougaard right (he is “Hoo-Ha”),how are they going to say Brynard!!
Maybe it’s deluded of me, but I always hope that players in the position that Brynard found himself want to go across to Oz/Europe to add a string or two to their bows in the hope that they can come back and make another fist of it for the Boks…
I know it never happens that way (Brad Barritt – who I always hoped would do big things with the Boks – comes to mind), but we can hope…
Good luck ‘Nard Dog!
Never nice to see a up and coming player leave……pitty he couldn’t just shift over to tahs or lions. Maybe Kings can lure him back in two years time, they will some good players.
One way or another, Souf Efrica is getting its extra franchise!