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the Sharks I have kept
in their 2019 World Cup winning Springboks, which include Makazole Mapimpi,
after the day of the South African rugby transfer deadline on Thursday.
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Professional rugby players in the
the country had until midnight Thursday, the end of a three-week period, for
leave your existing contracts with your unions.
It was an agreed clause
by SA Rugby Industry, MyPlayers and South African Rugby Employers’
Organization (Sareo) last month as part of SA Rugby’s efforts to reduce costs in
the face of the global coronavirus pandemic.
Thursday, the last day of the
window, Super Rugby coaches and union administrators endured a nervous afternoon in
the knowledge that their players could exercise their option to exit their
contracts immediately.
That happened in Durban, where
25 year lock Tyler
Paul on Thursday night he informed the franchise that he
would go away It is understood that Paul accepted an offer in Japan and
Sharks CEO Ed Coetzee was informed of the decision after 22:00.
The good news, however, is that
Springbok wing Mapimpi star stays.
The 29-year-old had been the
subject to much speculation and is understood to have received a lucrative
counter offer from a Japanese club after initially rejecting them.
There was uncertainty about his
future as recently as Thursday night, but after communication with Coetzee,
Sprinter Bok finally gave up on the franchise.
Lukhanyo Am had been linked with
a European movement, but also committed to sharks.
Speaking to Sport24 on Friday
In the morning, Coetzee acknowledged that the money offered had made it difficult.
situation for Mapimpi.
“It is a difficult decision
do, “said Coetzee.
An additional complication in
The clause stipulated that franchises were not allowed to make counteroffers.
for their players: a decision that has been a source of great anguish for the locals
coaches and administrators.
Coetzee, however, is satisfied with
how sharks have emerged from a situation that had the potential to be so much
worst.
“We are very happy and I
I think it is the fruit of the system and the way we treat our players, “he said.
said.
“If the players were not
happy, they would be gone.
“There is a strong
leadership group here within the players and Sean (Everitt, coach) has made a
fantastic job. I think the players figured it out for themselves and they
I want to be part of a successful era in Sharks.
“We are relieved, but also
proud.”
Sharks were the best
2020 combined Super Rugby standings after seven rounds of matches when the
The tournament was suspended due to the coronavirus.
