Stephen Nell

Cape Town – The Sharks are hoping to offer Western Province utility back Conrad Hoffmann a new rugby home in Durban from next season.

While rumours circulated Monday about Sharks scrumhalf Rory Kockott reportedly having been in talks with WP, Sport24 can reveal that Hoffmann is considering penning a deal with the Sharks.

On Saturday, Hoffmann is likely to either do duty on WP’s substitutes bench again or start at fullback in the Currie Cup match against the Sharks in Durban.

The Sharks are looking for a player to fill the void left by Ruan Pienaar’s departure and that may well be why they are trying to sign Hoffmann.

Hoffmann (22) has played scrumhalf and fullback for WP this year. His chances of starting regularly at scrumhalf in the Cape are likely to be limited with Dewaldt Duvenage and Ricky Januarie in WP’s ranks.

It will therefore come as no surprise if he signs for the Sharks.

Province coach Allister Coetzee said on Monday that Hoffmann is a fullback option for the weekend’s match and that Conrad Jantjes may move to the wing. Fabian Juries has a leg injury and is unlikely to be available.

“JJ Engelbrecht and Danie Poolman are both playing well for the under-21 side. The other option is to move Conrad (Jantjes) to the wing and pick Hoffies in the starting line-up,” said Coetzee.

He denied that WP were interested in Kockott. “ It’s just a rumour ... a wild rumour,” he said.

Coetzee’s players had the afternoon off on Monday following the weekend’s narrow win in the physical clash against the Blue Bulls.

Both locks in the starting team – Adriaan Fondse and Anton van Zyl – have colds. Tighthead Brok Harris has stiffness in his shoulder after his man-of-the-match performance against the Bulls.

Coetzee gave the assurance that all three would be fit to face the Sharks.

It will be interesting to see whether the Sharks include Kockott in their starting lineup.