Come 2011, the Beast could be hunting with the Lions instead of swimming with the Sharks.
Tendai (Beast) Mtawarira, the Sharks and Springbok prop, has apparently received an offer from the Lions which he may be unable to turn down.
Christo Buchner – Beeld
In Sharks country it is already being said that he is heading for Johannesburg, but Brian van Zyl, the executive head of the Sharks, said on Tuesday that the Beast signed a contract for another three years with the Durban-based team in October, and that he will be forced to honour it.
“We won’t let him go just like that, although we are aware of him being contacted by the Lions,” says Van Zyl.
Informed sources say the Sharks have apparently also made it clear to Mtawarira that they were the union to have fetched him in Zimbabwe, and to have given him a chance to get a foothold in South African rugby.
This emotional appeal, which is now issued by team bosses in Durban, is meant to counter the massive amount that the Lions’ new owners are apparently willing to pay for Mtawarira.
It is no secret that the Sharks are deeply disappointed by the possibility that he may be lost to them and could be seeking greener pastures.
There are even some who say openly that he could definitely be lost to the team and that his marketing involvement with the team has already been curtailed.
The Sharks’ home will also from next year not be known as the Absa Stadium anymore. The contract for the naming rights of the stadium has not been renewed by the banking group and Van Zyl has confirmed that a new contract has been signed for the naming rights of the stadium.
An announcement regarding this matter will apparently be made early next year.
Well I for one would be sad for Sharks to lose Beast. From what I have read everywhere seems like Lions will get Beast.
The Sharks had Cilliers and Beast hunted by the Lions, that leaves them a little thin at prop, unless John Smit plays loosehead.He will do FAR better at loosehead than at tighthead.
@ Loosehead:2 – Loosie, If Beast leaves John will play LH. But then with a long season we would have needed both. Hope nothing come of this but from what I am reading on all the blogs seems as if Beast will go to the Lions.
NOT a done deal yet so still hoping he stays with the Sharks.
The Sharks won’t let Beast go easily, specially in light of the renewed contract a couple of months ago.
The Lions wanted a number of players only for those same players to resign with their Franchises…
@ grootblousmile:4 – gbs, From what I have read on a few blogs, there seems to be a loophole in Beasts last contract he signed with the Sharks. So he just may be off ot the Lions. Don’t think Sharks want him to go but they wont hang onto a player that wants to leave either. So just have to see what happens.
5@ Puma:
Pure speculation that Beast’s contract has loopholes… damn, even if it has, do we want another Lionel Mapoe saga where a player does not play for months?
… this all before the World Cup?
Does anyone honestly believe that Manie Reyneke has the ability to read a contract and spot a potential loophole?
If he could, the Lions could have retained at least 3 players that I can think of.
Why should the GLRU throw money at a player that would only be available for half of every season? FFS Manie and co, develop the youngsters that have shown potential.
Mind you, I suppose that would entail pulling your collective heads out of the sand. (or is that your own collective rectums?)
By the way, I’m not implying that the Beast isn’t a good player.
Just that the GLRU as a modern business should really look at the big picture, establish a workable action plan based on the best and most cost effective options, and execute it PROFESSIONALLY.
Maybe I’m too analytical for professional sport.
Looks like I’m talking to myself (as usual).
Ah well, in the words of CCR, “and I wonder, still I wonder, who’ll stop the rain?”
@ Scrumdown:
haha, like.
Seriously, why? The Lions proved in the second round of the Currie Cup that (1) they have some serious talent and (2) that under Mitchell’s leadership, they can be successful.
They have a few nice players among the loosies. Josua Strauss, Jonathan Mokuena, Wikus v Heerden, Derrick Minnie, ect.
Franco vd Merwe is looking like a great leader.
With the Props they just need to do what WP and basically FS have done. Take what they have and DEVELOP!
Ross Geldenhuys and JC Janse van Rensburg have potential. With the right coaching, they will be real good.
In the backline I would invest in the what they have. Jano Vermaak, Elton Jantjie, Lionel Mapoe, Doppies Le Grange, ?, Micheal Killian, Jaco Taute.
C’mon Lions! Why not spend all that money on proper coaches. Tell Mitchell, “who do you want?” Invest in a good DEFENSIVE COACH!
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