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Sharks sign Nyakane and Esterhuizen in sensational double deal
By Neil Fissler
The Sharks have pulled off a sensational double deal to take World Cup winners centre Andre Esterhuizen and prop Trevor Nyakane to Durban from the start of next season.
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RugbyPass understands that agreements are in place with inside centre Esterhuizen and tighthead prop Nyakane, who can also operate at loosehead, both members of the Springboks World Cup to join The Sharks.
The Sharks have seen off the Stormers and paid what is believed to be a substantial transfer fee to land Esterhuizen, who was due to be under contract at the Twickenham Stoop for another season.
They turned to Esterhuizen to replace Janse van Rensburg, who has left the club for a short-term deal with Japanese club Canon Eagles before a summer move to Top 14 outfit Bordeaux.
The Sharks first choice, Jan Serfontein, who also had an offer from the Bulls, decided to stay with Montpellier, leaving them scrambling around, but Esterhuizen, who was Quins highest paid player, wouldn’t have been cheap.
The Premiership high flyers were demanding a £500,000 (R12 million) transfer fee, which they were hoping to knock down during a lot of toing and froing over the last week, with wages likely to be equally as high.
Meanwhile, Nyakane was attracting interest from his former club, the Bulls after being told that he won’t be offered another contract by his current employers Racing 92.
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Nyakane, who is 35 in May, has spent the last three years in Paris, and a formal announcement is expected before the end of the month.
Absolute madness. They shelled out huge money on a 29 year old who isnt that different from van rensburg although he is probably better in every way. No doubt he will give them good go forward but imagine what they could have done with that 12 million. Maybe they could have bought 3 youngsters who are gonna be part of the next gen springboks. Just look at the bulls and their wise purchases. Gumede is now a star and Akker van der Merwe and Co have been adding tremendous depth. One player doesnt win titles, its a team effort. Nyakane is 35 and is probably out of the Bok reckoning. What is the point of that signing? If hes gonna go on to coach then great but give the youngsters a chance
Great signings for the Sharks! 🙌
Another big loss for Quins. Seems like the Premiership and the RFU can’t hold onto world class players.