Rugby player movements

There has been much talk of late about the Sharks’ midfield, not a lot of it flattering, but there is help on the way in the form of former Springbok centre Marius Joubert, who will be in Sharks colours sooner or later depending on how his club feature in the French Top 14 play-offs.

Clermont Auvergne play Biarritz in Saturday’s quarter-finals and if they lose, Joubert will be on the next plane to Durban, giving him five Super matches before a possible quarter-final.

Clermont, though, are one of the leading teams and if they win at the weekend there is an unfortunate fortnight gap until the semi-finals, and if they get through that, the final is a week later on June 4.

If all of that comes to pass for Joubert and Clermont, he would then be limited to the Sharks’ last two league games, away to the Lions and the Bulls, before hopeful involvement in the knock-out phase.

There is good reason, then, for Sharks fans to cheer on Biarritz this weekend.

In other contractual matters at the Sharks, it has been reported that John Smit will join London club Saracens after the Rugby World Cup but this is some way from being finalised, Sharks CEO Brian van Zyl said last night.

Smit is contracted to the Sharks until December 31 but given that the Currie Cup final at the World Cup final are on the same weekend in late October, it is doubtful that the Sharks would not give Smit an early release to go an enjoy a final pay day in pounds sterling.

A Shark rumoured to be travelling in the opposite direction is Ruan Pienaar, who a weekend newspaper reported had been released by Northern Irish province Ulster to join the Bulls, with immediate effect, and could play against the Sharks next weekend when the Bulls visit Durban.

This is not even close to the mark, according to the astonished Bulls, who say they are doing quite nicely as it is with Fourie du Preez and Francois Hougaard, the latter being their way forward in 2012 when the former has moved to Japan.

Pienaar is contracted to the Belfast team until June next year.

“I’ve heard about that story but I can say that it is not true,” bemused coach Frans Ludeke told the Pretoria News last night. “We are not negotiating with Ruan and he is not coming here. We have two great Springbok scrumhalves in Fourie du Preez and Francois Hougaard. Where would we play him and why go for another scrumhalf when we have (up-and-coming) Ruan Snyman in the system as well?

“Also, the timing would not be great as it could easily disrupt us,” Ludeke continued. “We wouldn’t want to make changes at such an important time in our campaign. We need to focus on the job at hand and not bring in outside players,” said Ludeke.

A former Shark definitely returning to South African ranks is Butch James, although it will be in Australia that he links up with his new team, the Lions, and not a moment too soon for the hapless Lions.

James has been released by English club Bath.

“Butch joins us on Wednesday (tomorrow, in Canberra) and we are looking forward to a flyhalf calling the shots,” Lions coach John Mitchell said after his team’s embarrassing 53-19 loss to the Cheetahs last week.

“His experience will be outstanding for the team against the Brumbies and while I’m not sure whether he will start, he will be part of the 22. He will have just one session and a captain’s run but he’s experienced enough to pick up things pretty quickly,” Mitchell said.

by Mike Greenaway www.iol.co.za