Sharks won't buy replacements
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Sharks Director of Rugby Gary Gold said it will not be easy to replace the outgoing stalwarts in Durban however they have a plan within their structures.
Gold highlighted the positive spin-off from a disappointing season with regards to youngsters stepping up and performing, and that is the mentor's strategy going forward to replace such illustrious players.
"Stefan Ungerer, Lionel [Cronje], Andre [Esterhuizen], Sibusisho [Sithole] – outstanding. Etienne [Oosthuizen], Kyle [Cooper] have all showed a lot of promise, and that is our strategy – look at bringing through youngsters rather than replace super-star with super-star," explained Gold at a press conference in Durban.
"You are not going to replace Bismarck [du Plessis], so we should not try and do that.
"We need a hooker yes, but we must back our youngsters – Coops [Cooper] has played 50 or 60 Super Rugby games and Monde Hadebe is coming through. We must back these guys."
The victory against the Stormers at Kings Park marked the end of an era for Bismark du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis and Willem Alberts when they played their last game in the black and white.
A World Cup year often sees players moving about and Gold said it has been a frustrating time.
"It has been a tough couple of weeks with the to-ing and fro-ing regarding player movement and to lose such stalwarts is sad, you know top players move on," said Gold.
"It happens [players leaving] but when three go at once it is a hard blow.
"We are in a sad place – we are not in the play-offs, and we are losing key players.
"When you have not performed, and you know players are moving on, it is a sombre place."
Gold though is excited about the talent coming through the ranks in Durban and believes a young ambitious side will bode well for the franchise in the future.
"It is exciting to see youngsters step up and that is where we must focus.
"We have players coming back from South Africa Under-20 as well so we will have a young and enthusiastic side.
"We are not going to ask for patience because we know you don’t get it!"
@rugby365com
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