VIDEO: Brits feels the love at Loftus
WATCH as veteran hooker Schalk Brits talks about the administrative blunder that saw the Stormers lose out on his services.
Brits, 37, will play for the Bulls in 2019, as he hopes to secure a spot in the Springbok World Cup squad.
However, his initial choice was to have worked his way into contention through the Stormers – whom he played 50-odd games for, before a decade-long stint with Saracens in England.
Unfortunately for Brits, the bungling Stormers administration scuppered the deal he thought was on the cards.
It turned out that a lack of communication between Western Province Rugby WP Director of Rugby Gert Smal and CEO Paul Zacks resulted in offers to both Brits and Corné Fourie.
Smal offered Fourie a contract and Zacks negotiated with Brits.
With just enough money for one contract, the Stormers administrators had to tell Brits his services were now surplus to requirements.
He eventually found sanctuary with the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.
Brits had a not so subtle dig at the Stormers management this week, when he fronted up to the media.
He made it clear that the welcome he received in Pretoria far superseded the Newlands reception.
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“You know what is nice, is going to a place where you are wanted,” the veteran hooker told the media briefing.
“The Stormers have their problems and I’m happy to be here.
“I’m with a group of players that wants to succeed and with a coaching staff that wants to learn and get better.
“I am at a union that not just wants to compete but wants to win something.
“So from that point of view, if we keep on with the work ethic, discipline and with time, this team can perform to the supporter’s expectations.”
Brits said he is happy to play a mentoring role at Loftus, imparting the knowledge of more than 280 first class games.
“What is nice is that we have a young bunch of players and a group of experienced heads that have been around the block a little bit that can help the younger players exponentially as quickly as they can,” he said of the Bulls squad.
“What I’ve felt in the past what has happened in SA Rugby is that you almost lose your middle-tier of players, and you’ve only got the Springboks and the young guys coming through.
“And the guys who are supposed to pass on the intellectual capital, you lost them to the overseas market.’
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