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The Sharks again look unbeatable in the transfer market, signing capable Springbok after capable Springbok while retaining the majority of their big guns. Will John Plumtree’s return mean their chess moves will lead to being crowned kings, at last? Sibusiso Mjikeliso asks.
There is no denying that there must be an envious eye cast across from other "Big Four" South African franchises at the Sharks in this year's "transfer window".
(Before we continue: a moment of silence please in honour of SA Rugby's exciting 21-day transfer window during 2020's Covid-ravaged season that had rugby scribes abuzz in Makazole Mapimpi to Japan and exciting transfer news that shook the sport up a bit).
Silly season is officially open, but the Sharks aren't playing games.
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They've responded to the loss of Thomas du Toit in kind; by recruiting two internationally accomplished, equally dexterous Springbok front-rowers, Vincent Koch and Coenie Oosthuizen.
It's another classic case of the Sharks stealing a march, at least on paper, on their local competitors and beating some United Rugby Championship suitors along the way.
Say what you will about the Durbanites, they know how to draw players to the East Coast.
Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth are still the biggest fish ever caught in the Indian Ocean in the MVM era and it will be difficult to top that in terms of pedigree and prestige.
But you can be sure that the Sharks are not done fishing.
Japan clubs aside, the Sharks would have been the most plausible destination for Springbok World Cup winner and global rugby superstar Cheslin Kolbe.
Stormers head coach John Dobson could only dream of having Kolbe back, whose stature now means, to paraphrase the gab-gifted coach, Kolbe will come at the price of "Lesotho's GDP".
With the salary cap now up from R71 million to R85 million, nothing is stopping the Sharks from getting the showstopping fullback, who is a free agent after parting with Toulon recently.
While some might baulk at the idea, let's not forget that the Sharks were flush with a nice, reportedly R17 million payout from Racing 92 after Kolisi's contractual buyout.
And not only that, Kolisi's wages would go some way to making room for Kolbe on the books. And you can guarantee a sold-out Kings Park should Kolbe play his rugby in black and white.
Thus far, that's just a dream. What we know for sure is that Lukhanyo Am, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche, Aphelele Fassi, Curwin Bosch and Sikhumbuzo Notshe have extended their stays in Durban.
These are players on which a great foundation has already been built, some of whom took the Sharks to the summit of Super Rugby before Covid put paid to one of the most exciting seasons Kings Park has ever witnessed.
Sharks CEO Eduard Coetzee always cautioned when he saw the rise of Fassi, Jaden Hendrikse and Phepsi Buthelezi that, after a few years, these players would grow into Springboks and command far higher wages.
It was incumbent, then, on the administration to always keep room in their books, no matter the many incomings they witnessed in the last two seasons, for Fassi and Hendrikse's retention, who became Springboks in that period.
With that achieved, they plugged the gaping Andre Esterhuizen void that plagued their midfield with the smart Rohan Janse van Rensburg signing last year, with Francois Venter added as a luxury backup.
They've filled their midfield stocks further with Diego Appollis from the Pumas and made sure there's adequate competition for Bosch in flyhalf Siya Masuku, who is joining from the Cheetahs at the end of the Currie Cup.
Don't rule out Emmanuel Tshituka joining his brother Vincent from the Lions, too, although that is purely analytical conjecture, based on how the younger and older brother have perennially been linked with Durban moves since their emergence in Johannesburg.
The second row is perhaps where the Sharks might feel a little light, where, when Etzebeth is unavailable, the tight unit seems to crumble.
But a lot will reside with their Currie Cup head coach Joey Mongalo and how quickly he can get players, such as Jeandre Labuschagne, developed into international franchise calibre players.
Then, once all the transfer business is done (expect plenty still), it will be up to Plumtree to weave it all together. Knowing the New Zealander, he will relish the prospect of turning these massive chess pieces into a grandmaster performance in Europe next season.
*Follow our News24 deputy sports editor on Twitter: @Sbu_Mjikeliso
- Sibusiso Mjikeliso is the 2021 Vodacom Sports Journalist of the Year and author of Being a Black Springbok - The Thando Manana Story. He is also the writer and narrator of MAP1MP1, the award-winning Makazole Mapimpi documentary.
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