By Zayn Nabbi
Reports from Bloemfontein have indicated that the Sharks are getting ready to raid the talent pools of the Free State Cheetahs with two of the province's high profile Springboks the prime targets for the men from the coast.
The two individuals in question are prop forward CJ van der Linde and flank Juan Smith and media reports have claimed that the duo are being offered at least R1.4 million a year each to head to the Shark tank.
The Cheetahs have already lost their inspirational coach Rassie Erasmus, who is currently employed as a technical consultant by the Springboks and one of the favourites to land the Stormers Super 14 coaching position next season.
This year the Sharks have already bid farewell to hooker John Smit (Clermont), Warren Britz (Montpellier), flank Bob Skinstad and fullback Percy Montgomery (both Perpignan), while flyhalf Butch James is heading for England to join Bath.
However, to stem the exodus of players the Sharks seem to be going on the offensive with Van der Linde and Smith apparently in their sights.
There's no question that both players would be valuable acquisitions for the Sharks.
Van der Linde is a powerful scrummager and has the versatility to play on both sides of scrum, while Smith can cover lock and loose-forward.
The Cheetahs are a union that are able to punch well above their weight, mainly due to the loyalty of key players like Smith and Van der Linde, but if lucrative offers are put on the table, both Springboks would have to reconsider their futures in the platteland.
Monday Sharks Commercial Manager Rudolf Straeuli and chief executive Brian van Zyl were unavailable for comment, so they could not confirm or deny the press reports.
Last year the Sharks were rumoured to have been courting Springbok winger Bryan Habana, lock Bakkies Botha and centre Wynaand Olivier.
While there were negotiations going on with the trio, Botha was said to be offered close to R2-million a year and property up the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal in Ballito, but the deal fell through. Apparently their agent Bernie Habana had only touched base with the Sharks to up his players' respective values at the Blue Bulls - thus fooling both parties with one of the oldest tricks in the book.
In the end Habana, Botha and Olivier were offered improved contracts at the Bulls, having used the Sharks (who had made standard offers) to squeeze more money from their employers.
It is moot whether Van der Linde and Smith are trying same, however, ploys like this can backfire.
Meanwhile, the Sharks play Griquas this Saturday (Kick-off: 3pm) in Durban. Coach John Plumtree is expected to have a full squad for the clash and will announce his team later this week.
This Currie Cup fixture will not be televised.