Butch James has been made a lucrative offer, believed to be R2.8m for one year, to play club rugby for Bath in England next year.
Sharks CEO Brian van Zyl confirmed last night that James had been approached by Bath and that retaining him wouldn’t be easy.
“We are meeting with Butch and his agent in the morning. We obviously want to keep him in Durban and we will do everything possible to contract him again. I’m not certain how much Bath have offered but it is difficult to fight against the pound.”
Van Zyl was, however, confident that 33-year-old AJ Venter, who has decided to extend his career by another year, would again be available for the Sharks.
“We have offered him a lucrative contract for another Super 14 season. He has not yet signed but I’m expecting him to play for the Sharks again next year.”
Van Zyl has still not held talks with Springbok and Sharks captain John Smit who has been away with the national squad since the Super 14 final. He has also been approached by overseas clubs.
One player who is more certain to be lost to the Sharks, however, is veteran fullback Percy Montgomery. He is apparently looking for one final payday in Europe as he nears the end of his career.