The fight for players being bought and sold continues and makes one wonder why matters are not solved in a more amicable manner. Who is to blame? One can only but speculate, but it is not doing the Unions or players involved any favours.

Louis Ludik and Willem Alberts are waiting for release certificates from the Golden Lions-rugby Union (GLRU) so they can join the Sharks in Durban from next week.The players’ lawyer, Wilhelm Botes, has made the players intentions clear in a report to News24.

The players agent Peet Van Zyl confirmed that both players requested the release certificates from the (GLRU). He said the Lions were frustrating them with the dragging of their feet to issue these certificates, and could lead to the matter being settled in court.

According to Mr Van Zyl there has still been no reaction from the GLRU management regarding this matter. If the GLRU does not issue the certificates there is no doubt the matter will follow the same route as the Jaque Fourie case.

The players’ lawyer confirmed the necessary steps would be taken if the GLRU does not adhere to the requests for certificates.

According to Van Zyl the Ludik and Alberts contracts are no different to the Jaque Fourie contract that was found to be non binding, leaving Jaque Fourie to join Western Province from now onwards.

Botes said the players’ intensions were professional decisions and that the offers made by the GLRU to these players did not change their minds, and to be honest I don’t think any offer from the lions would be acceptable.

Botes again reiterated that the players wish to go to the Sharks.  According to Van Zyl, the players feel their chances of being Springboks in the future will be much better if playing for the Sharks.

He said this matter has not arisen from yesterday – and there are many things that play a role.

Van Zyl said a meeting was set with the GLRU for tomorrow (Thursday) regarding other players with the same non-binding contracts as Jaque Fourie.

Alberts’s and Ludik’s departures would be a great loss to the Lions, there is no doubt.

Mr Manie Reyneke of the GLRU however maintains that the contracts with the players are binding and that the GLRU would fight the matter as each player’s contract is not the same.

He also said they still maintain that the Jaque Fourie contact was binding and because each contract is different they would handle each case on its merits.

According to Reyneke as of yesterday no request for release certificates had been made by the players.

In the mean time is has also been confirmed that 2 players from the Sharks have joined the Free State Cheetahs.

Skipper Badenhorst has agreed to join the Cheetahs as he was competing for a starting place with Craig Burden and Bismark DuPlessis. He felt with the Cheetahs losing their backup hooker in Richard Strauss, he would stand a better chance of playing with the Cheetahs.

Also Playing for the Cheetahs on a loan agreement for the Super 14 of 2010 is Monty Dumond the Flyhalf of the Sharks. He will however return for the Currie Cup of 2010.

Although there is much speculation, Rudolf Streaulli confirmed that a press release in the near future will be made to confirm what players have left the Sharks and which players have been acquired.