JP to be big in Japan
Sharks star will still available for Super Rugby and Boks
JP PIETERSEN is set to become the latest in an ever-creasing line of Springboks to take up a lucrative contract with a Japanese club, but the star winger will not be completely lost to Sharks and South African rugby over the next couple of years.
The deal, which is on the verge of being finalised, will see Pietersen head to Japan at the end of this Super Rugby season, and while he won’t be available for Springbok selection in this year’s Rugby Championship, he will be for the endof-year tour.
This “unique agreement” also included an extended contract negotiation with the Sharks enabling Pietersen to return for next year’s Super Rugby season, while he will once again be available for the Boks’ June and end-of-year Tests in 2014.
Bok coach Heyneke Meyer has been fully informed about the negotiation process and Pietersen’s intent to return to South Africa in 2015 to make a full go of earning his place in the World Cup squad.
The deal is believed to be one of the biggest ever in SA, but Pietersen’s agent James Adams emphasised that money was not the primary reason why the 26-year-old had decided on this move.
“JP is just looking for a bit of a break and to experience a different environment. His loyalty is with the Sharks, though, and it’s the reason why he opted against offers to play in France because he wanted to still be able to return and play in Super Rugby.”
Adams, who said he was just waiting to finalise the paperwork, also praised the Sharks for coming to the table in terms of the contract extension.
“The Sharks have been fantastic throughout the negotiation process and (commercial manager) Rudolf Straeuli has been great. The Sharks must be complimented for the role they have played in helping ensure JP will still play a large portion of his rugby in South Africa.”
Adams added that Pietersen would continue to follow a Sharks conditioning pro- gramme while in Japan in order to ensure that he remained in top shape.
However, a major challenge for the speedster will be to maintain his form and standards while competing in the lower intensity Japanese leagues.
Stormers lock Andries Bekker recently announced that he would be heading to Japan at the end of this Super Rugby season, while fellow Boks Jaque Fourie and Fourie du Preez made the move there at the end of the 2011 World Cup.
Reuters reports that Springbok fullback Zane Kirchner will join Irish side Leinster later this year after signing a two-year contract with the club.
The 28-year-old has opted to move to Ireland rather than extend his contract with the South African Bulls franchise beyond its expiry at the end of October.
It is unclear when Kirchner will join his new team, with Bulls high performance manager Xander Janse van Rensburg hinting that the player could request a release before his current deal ends.
“We understand that an earlier release might be requested, but it is up to the board to approve that or not,” Van Rensburg said.
Kirchner joined the Bulls franchise in 2007 from Currie Cup side Griquas and was part of the squads that won the Super Rugby competition in his first year, and later in 2009 and 2010. – Reuters.