Butch James, one of the Sharks’ favourite sons, has accepted an offer to see out his career at Bath in England.
Not for want of trying, the Sharks’ generous offer had to be weighed against the reality of his future playing career. Two seasons ago, many would have laughed at the suggestion he would play again, but with a rehabilitation programme offered by the Sharks, coupled with his own determination, the Bok flyhalf was able to deliver two more outstanding seasons, which included a recall to the Springboks.
”We are, however, mindful of the fact Butch will be going into what is one the most strenuous tournaments of his playing career, and with a realistic history of a bad knee injury, we had to make a sound business decision to restrict our offer to a one-year contract. This paled against a two-year pound/euro deal,” said Brian van Zyl, CEO of the Sharks.
”Butch has delivered more than we could ask for, but the time has come to allow him a lucrative swansong, and to invest the same money in the new, and exciting talent we have coming through. We believe we have sufficient cover at flyhalf in the form of Francois Steyn and Fred Michalak.”
The news comes with a debt of gratitude from James, who made his rugby career wearing the black and white of the Sharks, and an equally gracious Sharks camp, who extend their best wishes. It is somewhat of a feather in the Sharks’ cap when home-grown talent is high on the international shopping list.
James will be relocating at the end of the World Cup. — Sapa