Jordan Hendrikse’s much-publicised move to the Hollywoodbets Sharks for next season may not happen until the end of December, rather than at the start of the next Vodacom United Rugby Championship season.
Hendrikse, who has signed for the Sharks, did not have his name among a group of players the Emirates Lions said farewell to on Wednesaday.
While Emmanuel Tshituka, who will also join the Sharks and like Hendrikse, join his brother in Durban, Hendrikse is still officially on contract at the Lions until the end of December and indications are that they are intent on seeing him fulfil his contractual obligations until then.
The Lions media team, when asked about the anomaly, said that Hendrikse was on contract until the end of December. With the switch to the European season, most players in the four franchises have altered their contract to run until the end of June, when the current season ends.
It is unclear why Hendrikse’s contract runs differently, but with Curwin Bosch leaving for Brive, and Siya Masuku making a bold claim for a Springbok place, the Sharks may be left a bit short-handed at 10 when it comes to the start of next season.
Hendrikse’s brother, Springbok halfback Jaden is already at the Sharks, as is the other Tshituka brother, Vincent.
Still, the amount of players leaving the Lions is eye opening, especially as it seems many of them have not found new clubs for the coming season.
Willem Alberts has retired, and played his last game against the DHL Stormers at the weekend, while Tyler Bocks this week signed for Ealing Trailfinders in the English Championship. Hanru Sirgel signed for French PROD2 side Grenoble and has already left to join them while Travis Gordon has signed for an English Championship club it seems.
Corne Fourie, one of the players named as leaving the Lions, seems to be considering retirement at the moment while the likes of Sibusiso Sangweni, Ruan Smith, Andries Coetzee and Stean Pienaar have not announced moves, and according to local agents, have not found new clubs yet.
The Lions have only announced one signing for the coming season and that is 31-year old former Sharks, Gloucester and Red Hurricanes hooker Franco Marais.
Players the Lions confirmed were leaving them at the end of this season.
Corne Fourie
Tyler Bocks
Hanru Sirgel
Stean Pienaar
Emmanuel Tshituka
Travis Gordan
Andries Coetzee
Sibusiso Sangweni
Ruan Smith
Willem Alberts