Rugby
Habana farewell SMS revealed
2009-08-25 07:52
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J.J. HarmsePretoria – "I have decided not to extend my contract with the Bulls. I am going to sign for Western Province. It has been the most difficult decision of my life. Thanks for the last five years, it was a fantastic time. Let's go and win the Currie Cup."
That is how Springbok wing Bryan Habana informed his Bulls team-mates and certain members of the management team by SMS on Sunday that he would no longer be playing for the team next year.
The message was sent to his team-mates late on Sunday afternoon.
The news, which has sent shockwaves through Blue Bulls rugby, follows months of speculation about Habana's future. He won the Super 14 title twice as a Bulls player.
Habana's agent – his father Bernie – and WP Rugby have since stated that negotiations are at an advanced stage for the player to pursue a career in Cape Town from next year.
The Blue Bulls Company, which handles the contracting of Bulls players, have a "right of first refusal", to match any other offer. That means they can refuse to release him if they match the WP offer.
They will have 14 days to reply after the WP offer has been delivered. However, because of the vast sum of money involved, it is unlikely that will happen.
French rugby website frenchclubrugby.com reported that Habana accepted the WP offer after Toulon declined to increase their offer.
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