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Durban - Deon Carstens will be leaving the Sharks after the culmination of the 2010 Super 14 competition to link up with UK club side Saracens on a two year deal.
The prop, who is one of the most experienced players in the team, having earned 168 caps since making his debut back in 2001, is a senior, highly-respected and well-liked member of the squad. A strong scrummager who has a surprising turn of speed and an ability to score tries, has amassed an impressive tally of 13 tries in his career with the Sharks.
Despite being contracted until the end of December 2010, the Sharks have released him to leave earlier, in the interest of his own development as a player.
Commenting on his departure, Carstens said, “It is quite strange to think that my previous game for the Sharks was against the Waratahs some weeks back and it is unfortunate that injury has meant that it is going to be my last. It certainly will be a new challenge for me, swapping the warm Durban weather for snow and freezing temperatures.
“It has a good life for me here in Durban and I have loved being a part of the Sharks setup for these past 10 years, so it is hard to leave.
But I need to move on and experience a new challenge and get out of my comfort zone. Luckily for me, I will be joining up with a bunch of South African players and of course, Bradley Barritt, who I know from the time he played with me for the Sharks.”
On behalf of the Sharks, CEO Brian van Zyl added, “Deon has been a faithful member of The Sharks for a decade and has always been an important part of the team. We will miss his enthusiasm and team spirit and wish him all the best in his new venture with Saracens.”
Player Profile
• Physical: 1.83m, 115kg
• Province: The Sharks
• Born: 03.06.79, Franschhoek
• Province Caps: 85
• Province Points: 45 (9 tries)
• Province Debut: 2001 v Lions
• Super 14 Caps: 83
• Super 14 Points: 20 (4 tries)
• Super 14 Debut: 2001 v Highlanders
• Test Caps: 9
• Test Points: 0
• Test Debut: 2002 v Scotland
The prop, who is one of the most experienced players in the team, having earned 168 caps since making his debut back in 2001, is a senior, highly-respected and well-liked member of the squad. A strong scrummager who has a surprising turn of speed and an ability to score tries, has amassed an impressive tally of 13 tries in his career with the Sharks.
Despite being contracted until the end of December 2010, the Sharks have released him to leave earlier, in the interest of his own development as a player.
Commenting on his departure, Carstens said, “It is quite strange to think that my previous game for the Sharks was against the Waratahs some weeks back and it is unfortunate that injury has meant that it is going to be my last. It certainly will be a new challenge for me, swapping the warm Durban weather for snow and freezing temperatures.
“It has a good life for me here in Durban and I have loved being a part of the Sharks setup for these past 10 years, so it is hard to leave.
But I need to move on and experience a new challenge and get out of my comfort zone. Luckily for me, I will be joining up with a bunch of South African players and of course, Bradley Barritt, who I know from the time he played with me for the Sharks.”
On behalf of the Sharks, CEO Brian van Zyl added, “Deon has been a faithful member of The Sharks for a decade and has always been an important part of the team. We will miss his enthusiasm and team spirit and wish him all the best in his new venture with Saracens.”
Player Profile
• Physical: 1.83m, 115kg
• Province: The Sharks
• Born: 03.06.79, Franschhoek
• Province Caps: 85
• Province Points: 45 (9 tries)
• Province Debut: 2001 v Lions
• Super 14 Caps: 83
• Super 14 Points: 20 (4 tries)
• Super 14 Debut: 2001 v Highlanders
• Test Caps: 9
• Test Points: 0
• Test Debut: 2002 v Scotland
