YOUNG flyhalf Fred Zeilinga will be bid farewell to the Sharks at the end of the Super Rugby season. The 22-year-old will join the Cheetahs ahead of the Currie Cup season later this year.
Zeilinga leaves after spending his school days and age group rugby in Durban. The former Glenwood pupil represented KwaZulu-Natal at U13 and U18 Craven weeks as well as U16 Grant Khomo Week. He also played for the Sharks U19, U21 and Vodacom Cup sides.
He made his Currie Cup and Super Rugby debuts in 2013 and remained a key member of both squads over the next two years.
Sharks CEO John Smit confirmed Zeilinga’s departure yesterday amid numerous media reports.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank Fred for his commitment and dedication to the Sharks over the past few years. We wish him every success for this new chapter in his career and we look forward to seeing him make further progress in Bloemfontein.”
In what is a bit of a “switcheroo”, the Sharks welcome Joe Pietersen into their fold next month. Pietersen joins the Sharks from the Cheetahs.
While the Sharks bid farewell to the talented Zeilinga, they are confident that two youngsters — UKZN Impi star flyhalf Innocent Radebe and Community Cup Durbanville-Bellville hero Garth April — will become exciting prospects in the years to come under the guidance of Pat Lambie and Pietersen