While it’s widely expected, give the way the game is going, that a host of aging Bok stars will seek overseas retirement gigs after the 2015 World Cup, few have, as yet, made these intentions clear.
Cell C Sharks prop Beast Mtawarira bucked that trend this week when he revealed in an interview that he plans to seek a contract in France on conclusion of the tournament, meaning that the 2015 Super Rugby competition will mark his swansong as a Sharks player.
Fans should probably expect a fair few similar announcements to follow over the course of the next year. Players such as Mtawarira are, of course, major drawcards and any French or Japanese club would love to have a Springbok great or two on their books. Other players likely to seek similar exits would include the du Plessis brothers, Willem Alberts, JP Pietersen and Frans Steyn.
It thus becomes critically important for the Sharks to act now to develop suitable replacements for these players, less the years after 2015 be very lean ones indeed.
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“Less the years after 2015 be very lean ones indeed ”
Compared to what ?
I suppose the post world cup 2015 exodus is inevitable and will affect all franchises.
I read in Rapport that Thomas du Toit is studying theology.
Could the crowd call of BEASSSSTTT one day be replaced with one of PRRRRIIIIIEEESSSSTTTTT.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 3) : That was quite sharp! 😆
Real pity if he goes, but now very important to keep Big Tom and Dale. Good thing is that now both know after 2015 they could become the top prop.
So sad… but understandable…
PS: you think the french is going to shout “Le Beast” at those grounds?
@R Hayward (Comment 6) : Bête!!!!! Only good thing is now the Sharks youngsters knows he’s going and so if they stay there will be a starting spot open to play for.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 3) : Well done! 😀
So it’s true: all good things must, at some stage come to an end. My son will be so sad…Beast is his favourite! But one more season of good memories to be made remains!
Good luck with bagging a top side.
Good on Beast playing open cards with the fans so early on. Really like the look of Du Toit, hopefully he learns tons from Beast in the remaining time.
I like the way Beast timed this. Firstly in being upfront, with the union, the media and the fans… which means we all can prepare ourselves. Then, in doing his time for the Sharks.
He will be 30 when he goes and would have given all of his best years to the Sharks and thus SA rugby. I know as a prop he probably has another good 4 years or so in him, but I think he deserves spending that time earning 10xR. I would be happy if he still get selected for the Boks during this time.
There is definitely an argument for letting players of a certain age and experience go play overseas and still be eligible for Bok selection.
What I don’t like is a guy like Goosen leaving at 22.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 3) : 😆 😆
@BarendL (Comment 4) : @vanmartin (Comment 8) : @Pokkel (Comment 13) : 😉
@Letgo (Comment 12) :
If Beast continues playing for the Boks till the next World Cup (just to use this as an example of when it is a good time to select overseas players), it gives us 4 years to blood a youngster at not only Currie Cup level, but also Super Rugby. By the end of 4 years, this player should, if he is the real deal (TduT), be able to take over from Beast.
Same with Bissie and Jannie.
By 2016, we’ll have plenty of players in their mid 20’s who can become the new ‘experienced’ crop of players.
Dale Chadwick 26
Kyle Cooper 25
PSDT 23
Lewies 24
E Oosthuizen 23
Tera Mtembu 25
Marcell 25
Reinach 26
Lambie 25
Jordaan 24
Sithole 26
SP 27
That’s a good bunch of young players that will have (and some already has) plenty of experience by then.
You can add to that,
Thomas du toit 21
Monde Hadebe 25
Andre Esterhuizen 22
Heimar Williams 24
Fred Zeilinga 23
Tim Swiel 23
Jaco van Tonder 25
Tyler Fisher 23
Which means players leaving before/after 2016 would presumably be:
Beast 30
Bissie 32
Jannie 33
Kanko 30
Botes 35
Willem 30
Deysel 30
Daniel 31
McLeod 31
Steyntjie 29
Mvovo 30
JPP 30
Odwa 35
Chivanga 32
The biggest area of concern being loose trio and maybe wing, but when has that ever been a problem in SA.
I’m sure there’s plenty of loosies looking at the Sharks as a good prospective team, just because of this situation.
30’s leaving is the perfect situation for the Sharks.
@Letgo (Comment 15) : All good and well until the evil Euro / $ / Yen come into play and start tempting some of the now game savvy younger guys.
To be honest I think we have been incredibly fortunate to hang onto these guys for so long and I take it it as a testament to them and the union that they showed such loyalty because Im sure the packages offered to them from overseas interests would have been way more than what the Sharks could offer.
@Letgo (Comment 15) : yes the youngster will start showing up once some of the older players leave, remember youngsters like the du Preez twins are also still there.