The Sharks have confirmed that Jean-Luc du Preez, Daniel du Preez and Garth April have signed contract extensions that will keep them in Durban until the end of the 2018 season

The Sharks have confirmed that Jean-Luc du Preez, Daniel du Preez and Garth April have signed contract extensions that will keep them in Durban until the end of the 2018 season
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that will (hopefully) keep them in Durban until the end of the 2018 season
Good news all the same
Brilliant!! Well done Sharks. We needed this. Potgieter who??
Good to hear this…assuming this contracts will be upheld…in this day and age who knows. Wonder what Inny Radebe will think of this…i suppose he is still fairly young so could stick it out and play some CC if he gets that chance.
Does this really mean anything?
Sorry but Marcell’s 2 year contract extension was celebrated, and six months later we were celebrating that he said he would like to return to play for the Sharks someday.
One can only hope that they stick to their contracts.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 4) : True. There is probably an exit clause or something in the fine print of their contracts. BUT, let’s celebrate that at least it looks like their intention is staying at the Sharks (for now).
Great news!Well on their way to become Sharks legends! (yip,feeling optimistic this morning)
Wonder if dad Rob had any say in this…
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 4) : The biggest security this gives us is that if they want to leave, someone has to buy them out of their contracts, meaning lots of nice money for the Sharks. If they are out of contract it means nothing for us money wise.
I’m dam glad they signed, even if it’s just for two years. Would have loved to see the twins on a 3 to 5 year contract.
Its great they put pen to paper but with the way our rand is going many European clubs will be able to pick them up a good rates. Its a double edged sword, the better they play for us the more their value goes up and more the agents will come sniffing and licking their butts.
I presume the twins are a package deal. Like our previous brothers Dupe.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 9) : Thats life pal,what would you have them do , be mediocre so they don’t attract attention.
Just think in the midst of all this some one should credit the Natal and specifically the Durban schools setup for producing players like the twins,Marcell and Pat Lambie,all of whom cost the Sharks peanuts when they were first contracted
@The hound (Comment 11) : Obviously not, I would rather they play out of their skins and honour their contract period. Obviously. How about you, would you mind if they move on after 6 months or will you call them rugby mercenaries?
@The hound (Comment 12) : Indeed…just a pity we seem to lose a lot too. James Hall being an example
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 13) : It’s not my personal opinion that makes a player a rugby mercenary its his behaviour,any guy who hops from contract to contract is a mercenary.I don’t necessarily have a problem with mercenaries as long as you recognise what he is,he is a player who puts himself ahead of the team.
He and his agent are already working on their next move as soon as they have signed the current one,and its very important for him to be in the right shape when that move comes ,so putting your body on the line for the common cause is a no no .
@The hound (Comment 15) : Your back on the Potgieter issue – he was pushed, how does that make him a rugby mercenary. Is Marcell one, according to his actions?
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 16) : I thought he asked to be released almost as soon as he got to Durban. The Sharks said no we might need you this season (he was expected to be fit for the NZ tour, and Oosthuizen and the twins weren’t sure things). Now that we have back-up and the youngsters are performing well the Sharks said “you can go to Pretoria now.”
@the-other-sharky (Comment 17) : Yeah, thats why he is featured on the front cover of this months Sharks magazine and why just 5 days ago Gary Gold was singing his praises. Its clear from his tweet that he was shown the door.
@the-other-sharky (Comment 17) : Id say the theory that the twins were about to move on and we needed the money to keep them at the tank was more the reason to let him go and free up some cash. The twins have been good all season so its not as if they are now finding form. Seriously, which team in the world, who could be heading into tough play off rounds of rugby, would be willing to whittle down their stocks of very talented and versatile players, right before said playoffs, if not for the money.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 16) : No such thing you asked me for my definition of a rugby mercenary,and you are right Potty is theMike Hore of rugby,
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 16) : Like I said to you I have nothing against rugby mercenaries,just don’t expect them to play buy the old for school for club for country for God rules,they play by for money for me and my agent rules.
There’s 3 good reasons they let Potty and Bothma go, we can put that one to rest now.
@The hound (Comment 20) : Mike Hore, there is a name from the past, in my wanderings in the old SE Transvaal, I came upon this really nice forestry farm with a few nice housing units apart from the main house. I found out that Hore and his merry bunch of mercenaries were based there while “training” for their fiasco.
I would say that any player who has just signed a contract with a team and is already entertaining thoughts of a bigger payday with another master must be some sort of rugby mercenary.
@Quintin (Comment 22) : And they are? I have read so much conflicting stuff that I dont know anymore.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 23) : I once had the pleasure of visiting him on his yacht in Durban harbour that he liberated from the Sultan of Zanzibar,but thats another era altogether.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 24) : The 3 good, young players we kept at the Tank for another 2 years, if they see out their contracts, which I think they will.
This is great news! And equally good to see April recognised even when Lambie is back.
I have to wonder what some of you Negative Nellie write on wedding cards: “Congratulations on your nuptials and may you both be very happy together. Of course, with the current divorce rate that is unlikely, so enjoy the 8.3 years you will be together. Regards…”
Live in the moment and enjoy the signing – the future is uncertain. Unfortunately, the negative outlook of some here is certainly not.
@Big Fish (Comment 27) : 😆 Comment of the day right there! 😆 😆
@Big Fish (Comment 27) : Nothing like a good dose of realism for me, others may prefer other methods of getting through their day.
@Quintin (Comment 26) : So the Sharks basically dont have too much cash to play with. I just hope they have enough to pay for decent Craven Week clobber, its embarrassing when the Sharks juniors have had all their numbers ripped off the jerseys by half time.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 29) : 😀
Good news, well done to John Smit and co. Great commitment by the twins to the Sharks. Now to get their older brother (great payback to the Stormers for the PSDT poach). Is Lood still a sexy option considering our two starting locks who have been brilliant? I think so. Time to experiment with Mjekevu or Sithole at 13.
Signing jl dup,dan dup and april are good for the sharks.losing potgieter with 3 games left and potential play-offs,not.the rapport article said the decision was based on business considerations.quite sure the sharks would have liked to still have potgieter on the books.from a rugby only consideration keeping potgieter made sense.anyone saying different is living in a different reality.no need to attack the player.money had to be found to keep the twins and the decision was made to let him go.sharks should have just said so.then there would have been no twitter attack on the player’s character.
@GreatSharksays (Comment 32) : before there is a discussion on further signings,ie new acquisitions,there needs to be a clear understanding of the financial situation at the union.marcell and jp is off the books from next season,yet potgieter also had to be let go to procure these signings .still in negotiations with willie.lood is a signing that imo the sharks don’t have the money to acquire.need to ensure eo,lewies,botha,uanivi,andrews stay fit.tighthead cover is where my concern is.
Some fans be like: https://imgflip.com/i/14sti0
Still, excellent news regarding the twins and April
A home play-off match with a sold out crowd,(which happened when last?),will help the union.money from gate takings and from broadcasters.
@50shadesofshark (Comment 36) : 2010 CC Final was the last sellout crowd i think…
@vanmartin (Comment 35) : there is no attack on the signing of the twins or april.it is 3 good players to have.if there was money available,it would have been good to have potgieter,too.and bothma.the reasons for the player release should have been communicated clearly.
@vanmartin (Comment 35) :
😆 😆 😆
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 29) :
Herein lies the rub – anyone griping about the likelihood of these young stars seeing out full contacts, etc is not some modern, tragic Cassandra-figure.
Everybody else is also well aware of that professional rugby reality; we just choose not to let it sap our joy at every opportunity.
@The hound (Comment 25) : Them were the days all right, I can imagine the stories. Do you still go to the yacht club?
with bothma and JP now gone and Marcell injured these are our options, not too bad
South Africa Keegan Daniel
South Africa Jean Deysel
South Africa Dan du Preez
South Africa Jean-Luc du Preez
South Africa Francois Kleinhans
South Africa Khaya Majola
South Africa Tera Mtembu
South Africa Philip van der Walt
also from the currie cup squad
South Africa Christiaan de Bruin
South Africa Wade Elliott
South Africa Graham Geldenhuys
South Africa Bernardus Haring
South Africa Kyle Hatherell
South Africa Retief Marais
South Africa Michael Meyer
South Africa Ayron Schramm
South Africa Ruan Smook
South Africa Ray Williams
@Big Fish (Comment 27) : @vanmartin (Comment 35) : I always look forward to the comments you guys write, and these two with the pic from vanmartin made my day so much better, and that after all the good news that was spread on the site this morning
@50shadesofshark (Comment 38) : I never mentioned or implied there was an attack on the signing of the twins or April.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 40) : Nope ,stick to the Beach Front,Esplanades deep in mercenary territory.
@GreatSharksays (Comment 32) : If the Sharks are selling of the good silverware to hold onto promising players then I doubt that they will be buying the likes of Lood.
@The hound (Comment 44) : Yeah, heard so, hence the question.
@vanmartin (Comment 35) : Which fans be those – the Potgieter haters, I presume because it says poooo, Is there also one for the Potgieter fans, it should start something like pottttttt, Do one please.
@Big Fish (Comment 27) : 😆 😆 😆
@SheldonK (Comment 37) : how often has it been even 60% attendance since then?
@50shadesofshark (Comment 38) : If the truth be told (realism again, sorry) the twins,should have been signed and sealed a long time ago before the public should read that they are on their way to France.
@50shadesofshark (Comment 49) : I think the majority of the well attended games including the tests get up to between 50-60% full
@revolverocelot (Comment 41) : johan du toit?has played no4 lock and been playing last couple of games at no7.think there should be a game time investment from the sharks during the cc proper in him.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 50) : yes,I agree with you.
@Big Fish (Comment 39) : Whose joy is it sapping?, not mine. It is providing some banter now and then. Methinks you take things too seriously if you think this would sap anybodies joy.
@Big Fish (Comment 39) : Furthermore Im sure Rob is glad that I brought it up or this thread would be at about 11 posts with them all saying “well done”
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 47) : It’s just a play on Marlon Brando’s “Stella!”. I suspect you’re reading too much into it.
seems a tweet from the sharks twitter account that says John Smit, CEO of The Sharks will resign at the end of the 2016 season has been deleted . so ?
@Zibbie (Comment 57) : Just been confirmed by the Sharks on their website!
@Zibbie (Comment 57) : @KingRiaan (Comment 58) : Well well well…what is a happening at Kings park…
@KingRiaan (Comment 58) : see the link is working now . so what say you guys ?
@Zibbie (Comment 60) : All I can say is that I hope they get an experienced business person in to take over from him
@Zibbie (Comment 60) : So much for stability at the Sharks…
@KingRiaan (Comment 61) : Agreed…and that he doesnt throw the baby out with the bathwater
bad time for Rob to take a break ! haha 😆
@Zibbie (Comment 57) : This just in! Pottie-train derailed!
@Zibbie (Comment 64) : Or maybe he knew and was tactical to avoid the blow up haha
Let the conspiracy theories begin
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 50) : I’m not trying to reimagine your response back when Strools and Plum burned through a plethora of quality locks – how many guys did we lose back then….yet here we are, with you finding every reason possible to not celebrate these 3 signing extensions…..sure miss the days of Strools and Plum. 😉
@The hound (Comment 67) : Indeed
@The hound (Comment 67) : Well according to the official statement he has resigned to spend more time with his family. So guess they dont want to reveal the real reason. Maybe he has finally realised he is scared of Sharks? 🙂
@vanmartin (Comment 65) : By the way, ‘Pottie-train’ is comedy gold you savages
@FireTheLooser (Comment 68) : Er, who is not celebrating them, Im pointing out that these days any signing should be taken with a pinch of salt, after all if a real Sharks born and bred, player like Marcell could shrug of the contract then so could anyone else. Simple really and if that happens then these celebrations mean squat.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 72) : I once thought about being an optimist, but just never thought it would work out for me.
Just admit it, you’re getting to be a crotchety old man! 😉
I personally think this is bad news,it was such a brave decision to appoint a rugby player to that position.A guy who knew the game better from the field than anyone else.It should have worked ,the guy came in with impeccable credentials.
Just hope they don’t revert to another stuffed blazer whose only credentials are that he once brought the oranges on for the under15 c ‘s.
Or worse still another bloody figure head like fat Thelo.
Maybe we will get lucky with a Kevin de Klerk
@Dancing Bear (Comment 73) : Damn right, you must see me in the traffic. 😈
@The hound (Comment 74) : I think a guy like Graham McKenzie could throw his hat in the ring…not sure if he delivered any oranges though
@SheldonK (Comment 76) : He’s too old you need young blood in that job,
Somebody like Gary Teich or Mark Andrews
@Dancing Bear (Comment 73) : Have you ever seen the BBC series Grump Old Men, brilliant.
@The hound (Comment 77) : McKenzie knows KZN rugby though. Dont now of any young blood that would be suitable. Cant see either of Teich or Andrews getting involved. Strauli would have if he was still in town.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 68) : Dang right I do. Hey who knows maybe someday soon they can be reunited at the tank, if there is any money left to pay them what they are worth ,of course.
@SheldonK (Comment 79) : Ill take Strools tomorrow. I think McKenzie would make a brilliant president of SARU.
@SheldonK (Comment 79) : we Lions like uncle Strools !!!
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 81) : McKenzie has to be the initial favourite
@Zibbie (Comment 82) : Yeh he is doing a great job for the Lions and in return benefiting SA so would be silly for him to leave
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 81) : Kevin Putt has more chance of returning to K.P than Strauelli
@Zibbie (Comment 82) : And for some weird reason we didnt like him.
@The hound (Comment 85) : I know, see, realism again.
@SheldonK (Comment 83) : I could live with that.
The position is not technical it’s the business side of things what makes anyone think another ex-player would be the best fit? John for all his technical ability made some doozie appointments from Waylon murray to fat Stevenson and the list goes on and on. Yes they made better decisions this year but the previous drain starting with the sacking if Plumtree then Jake has left a gaping wound in the coffers so this record if poor business performance could have been what made the business start questioning the value of and ex player in the admin top seat. So what now appoint another ex player with no business credential?
Very good news!!!
@coolfusion (Comment 89) : If we’re looking for an ex player with serious business acumen, I’d look no further than Teichman (not that he’d leave his successful civils company).