Willem Alberts, Bismarck du Plessis and Jannie du Plessis will all bring down the curtain on their glittering Sharks careers, when they pull the famous black and white jersey over their heads for the last time this Saturday.
The Sharks have now officially confirmed the departures of all three players, who are set to relocate to French clubs on completion of the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
“These three gents have played an instrumental and invaluable role at The Sharks over the years,” says Sharks CEO John Smit in a press statement. “It is naturally disappointing to lose these calibre of players that have given so much to Sharks rugby. As in many senior statesmen’s careers they felt the time was right to experience something different abroad.
“We will never forget the many courageous performances from these three players, the countless outstanding performances and steals from Bissy, the rock solid anchor at tighthead in Jannie and the enforcer in Willem. Not to mention Jannie playing the victorious Currie Cup Final in 2013 with a broken hand.”
“On behalf of The Sharks I take this opportunity to thank them for their dedication, commitment and outstanding contribution to the franchise. We wish them and their families the very best for this new chapter they are embarking on.”
On behalf all of the fans at Sharksworld, I’d like to thank Jannie, Bissie and Willem for their amazing contributions and wish them all the best for their future endeavours.
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Rob, Front Row Grunt saying that Matt Stevens is confirmed going to France, any truth?
That would make my day, week, hell maybe even make me feel better about the season!
@Seth101 (Comment 1) : well, “confirmed” is a strong word. Martin Gillingham reckons it’s happening
@robdylan (Comment 2) : Hope it’s true, but if it is we will definitely be in even more need of forwards then we are now.
Go well big guys!
Real Sharks legends – despite some recent hiccoughs.
Thanks for great memories! Akl the best
Reckon Montpellier should change their team name to le afrique du white…
I have loved seeing you give your all for the Sharks each weekend and will surely miss all 3 of you wearing the black and white.
Enjoy your time in France. You guys deserve a good retirement package. Although, would have loved to see you stick around –
Especially Bissie, one of my all time favorite players!
Thanks for the memories guys. Best of luck to all 3 of you.
Go well gents! Thanks for the many years of service. Will always be remembered as true Sharks Legends. All the best!
Sad to see these guys depart but its probably time for a new breed to come through, thanks for the memories gents. Keep well
Thanks for all the good memories. We will miss all of them (even Jannie) more than we realize currently.
End of an era. They’ll be sorely missed even though it opens some interesting opportunities for other players. Wonder if they plan to continue playing for the Boks after the World Cup?
Good luck boys and thanks for all the memories.
Thanks Guys. your efforts and everything else you put in is greatly appreciated.
See you on Saturday to say goodbye.
Cheers.
If Frans Steyn is not included in that list, does it mean he wants to stay for another season?
sad about the departure but it is time too. Alberts is fantastic but unfortunately has been injured a lot lately. Wish you guys all the best. Also i hope stevens is gone. We he enters the field it is like we have a yellow card on the field
I guess that just jinxed our game against the Stormers on Saturday….we never win farewell games 🙁
But a big thanks to all 3 of you…you were all a major part of the sharks successes over the last 8 years or so and I wish you all the best in your careers ahead.
Bismarck noooooo!!!!!
😥
3 really brilliant players. I hope to see them rock the Euro – leagues.
So just throwing this out there…is Alberts a def for the RWC then? Big call if yes as he is very injury prone to take to a tournament like that where you an only take so many loosies. If he doesnt go does that mean he will play CC or just go overseas early?
Three greats of the game gone,eish,the golden age of Sharks rugby coming to an end and how the hell do you replace these three?
@SheldonK (Comment 19) : I don’t think there’s much point in speculating around this. If he’s fit, he’ll go.
It is sad to see the stalwarts play their last game in Durbs, they have served us well over the years. On a positive note does this mean that the Beast and PSDT have put pen to paper?
Ai fokkit. Cheers ouens en thanks virrie gatskop games wat ons kon ervaar!!!!!
@SharkED (Comment 16) : I can’t think of any farewell game we managed to win.
@SheldonK (Comment 19) : Are they not allowed to fly in replacements if someone gets injured? If they are, then I can’t see any possible reason for him not going to the world cup.
Gentlemen, thank you for everything you gave for the Sharks and for all the entertainment and joy you provided us with. Good luck for the road ahead and God bless…
Wow guys, go well and thanks for the loyalty shown to the Sharks, it must have taken something to stick around in your prime while huge money must have been offered year in and year out.
Jannie, my immediate wish is that you score a try on Saturday and if not then nail a conversion.
May you guys have many injury free hours on the rugby field.
http://www.iol.co.za/sport/rugby/emotional-farewell-looms-for-bismarck-1.1869674#.VXf9s9Kqqko
Well worth a read.
Does anyone actually know to which club the Doep brothers are going?
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 29) : Montpellier by all accounts
@SheldonK (Comment 30) : But not confirmed, not a single site can say for sure where they are going.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 31) : Mayb they just going to France and enjoying the sights and sounds and wine and not actually playing 🙂
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 28) : Moving article.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 28) :
I’ve never doubted this about the Dup Boeties. I get the same feeling about Thomas du Toit from stuff I’ve read.
I always admired the passion these two put into playing for the Sharks. I never really doubted their commitment to the Sharks.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 31) : there is more to this story than meets the eye.
Read what Craig Lewis wrote on IOL this morning after speaking to Bismarck. Reads like a player being pushed, rather than leaving of his own volition.
@robdylan (Comment 35) : Is that the same piece whose link I posted here @Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 28) :
@robdylan (Comment 35) : I also get the feeling that they would much rather stay right where they are than go anywhere near where Jake is, just think things have progressed to far for that to happen and they are waiting for another foreign club to pick them up.
Remove the agent and watch how different things could be.
@robdylan (Comment 35) : So who is doing the pushing it’s not John from the article,is it Gold,Venter,or maybe its that cable of junior coaches,who overthrew Jake..
Balls I think these guys threatened the union one time too many,and the union called there bluff.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 36) : oh yeah, sorry. It is.
@The hound (Comment 38) : I dont think there were any threats, by the time line I would say that while Jake was still involved at the Sharks they were more than happy to sign with Montpellier (and take a good deposit to do it) but since then lots has changed and they would rather stay at the Sharks than go anywhere near White.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 40) : there is so much doublespeak going on, though, that it’s really hard to get a grip on exactly what the situation is.
I believe that Gary Gold wants them to stay and would be the main motivator behind that decision. Doesn’t appear that those higher up the chain agree with him, though.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 40) : They signed for Montpellier,after Jake had left,must have been a huge surprise when they found out he was there ,then.
But they had decided to leave,and now they realise that maybe the grass is not so green on the other side of the hill.
Don’t think theIr bad behaviour and foul play will be as well tolerated anywhere else in the world,as it is here.These guys are serial offenders and have absolutely no self control.After everything that happened during the year Jannie’s smack on the back of that Warratahs prop’s head was proof of that.
If you lookout theSuper rugby value we got out of these three,I say we could be well shot of them.
@robdylan (Comment 41) : Interesting.
@The hound (Comment 42) : “If you lookout theSuper rugby value we got out of these three,I say we could be well shot of them.” 😯 You are taking the piss arent you? Seriously.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 44) : No I am talking about this year,Alberts probably played three games,of which he probably wasn’t on the field for 40 minutes in one of them .Bismark didn’t play for weeks and Jannie was more off than on.
These three are if not,then close to, the highest paid rugby players in South Africa,if you think we got value for money this year then I will bow to your superior knowledge.
From my point of view that money can be used to a better purpose.
@The hound (Comment 45) : Did you know this before the season started, do you know that it will be the case next year. One of the easiest things in life to do is to “predict” yesterdays news.
@The hound (Comment 45) : I think your coin is looking at you in the wrong way.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 46) : What are you going on about Nostradamus,I said that these three were bad value for money in this years Super rugby.
Then I explained why.Simple ,nowwhat the fuck has that to do with predicting the news.It’s a statement of fact ,if you disagree with the statement present an argument,don’t come with all your supercilious bullshit.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 46) : Actually you have it wrong one of the easiest things in life is to predict that either Jannie or Bismark will get carded,in any game they play.
@The hound (Comment 48) : oH %^&&, where did I put my Crayolas.
Making obvious observations after the fact is easy, anyone can do it. By your reasoning we should be getting rid of Lambie, PDdT and Paul Jordaaan.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 50) : Stupid argument none of them are over 25 and have many more seasons,unlike the other three who are in the twilight of their careers.So as I take it we are still talking about value for money,you do the math.
Need to be a lot more subtle than that my slippery friend.
@The hound (Comment 51) : Are you in government, writing the rules as you go along and to suite you – forget it.
Where was age ever mentioned, your only (revised) criteria was value for money this season. Speak about slippery.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 52) : Why do you even bother? 🙄
@Ben (Comment 53) : I dont know, other than it being a quiete day and that it can be fun.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 54) :
The only good thing I take from this is that both bissie and Jannie are leaving anyways so we aren’t really being deprived of them since they aren’t ours anymore. Other than that bissie spent a huge amount of time off the field due to his disciplinary. So yes we didn’t get as much out of him in terms of man hours also he placed us in a tough spot missing his talent and having to go with less experienced players so yes he was a liability Deysel ditto JP too and Kanko too. From a value for money perspective, and when you look at it you pay an employee to be at work and when he is there to work hard and control what he can and should control.
BUT this was one season out of many many years. And in those many many years these two men did great things worked very hard and poured their hearts into this team. So this pales in comparison. And if they did stay (judging by bissies re-comitment in the last few games) he would have more than made it up to us.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 28) : You’re right…well worth the read!!
Ag…I will miss them…
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 52) : In any value for money calculation there is an investment in future return ,Ryder.
No future return prospect means no value for money,and the obverse is true.,once again Nostradamus,do the math.