Brits' worst kept secret confirmed
TRANSFER NEWS: Springboks hooker Schalk Brits has finally confirmed that he signed a contract with the Stormers.
Earlier this month, Rugby365 reported that Brits signed a contract to play for Western Province and the Stormers next season.
However, the player did not confirm it until now.
According to the Cape Town-based Afrikaans publication Netwerk24, Brits revealed: “I’m definitely not here [at the Stormers] for the money. I want to add value on and off the field,”
However, walking into the first XV will not be that easy. The 37-year-old will have to vie with fellow Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi and Scarra Ntubeni for the Stormers No.2 jersey.
Brits were supposed to have hung up his boots after clinching a fourth Premiership crown with Saracens to go with two European Champions Cup victories.
Instead, the 37-year-old returned inside a month to win the 11th cap for South Africa, acted as a mentor during the Rugby Championship and is on a path to the World Cup.
“I missed rugby so much I’ve changed my mind,” Brits told the Barbarians website in the wake of his Barbarian selection.
“I got a call from Springboks coach Rassie [Erasmus] with reference to keeping being involved until the next World Cup. After the June tests, I still want to keep on playing and I’ve postponed work and my studies until after then.
“A friend said to me recently, ‘what’s the difference between being 37 and 38?’ It’s a fantastic opportunity and an honour whenever you play for the Springboks so I’ll be trying to stay in contention.
“I’ve been staying on top of things and I’m in better nick that when I was playing. You get the chance to rehabilitate properly and I’m feeling fantastic and can’t wait to play again. I enjoyed playing against England at Newlands but we lost that Test so I hope the next time will bring a better result,”
Source: Netwerk24
