With news of his move to the Sharks for next season already confirmed, Jacques-Louis Potgieter has spoken openly about his desire to push for a spot in the Springboks 2011 World Cup squad.
Potgieter signed a one-year deal with the Bulls, following the conclusion of the 2009 Currie Cup season. He has now decided to make a move to the Absa Stadium and will join his new team at the end of the current domestic season.
Speaking about his move, Potgieter says he is looking forward to being a part of John Plumtree's exciting Sharks squad and, at the same time, hopes he can give himself the best possible chance of heading to New Zealand next August with the Springboks.
"I'm very excited about the prospect of joining the Sharks - I'm looking forward to much more game time in the Super 15," said Potgieter.
"The Sharks is a good team with lots of great players,
"They've been challenging for honours in both the Currie Cup and Super 14 over the last few seasons."
Speaking honestly about his international ambitions, Potgieter said, "I think if you have ambitions to play in the World Cup next year you have to give yourself a good chance.
"The amount of time I'll get on the field at the Sharks, I hope, will give me a realistic chance of challenging for a World Cup spot."
Potgieter enjoyed a fantastic 2009 Currie Cup with the Cheetahs, guiding them to an unexpected final berth, but switched back to the Bulls ahead of the 2010 Super 14.
A recognised points machine, Potgieter has been the second choice number ten for the Bulls for much of the current season. Moving to the Sharks, he admits he is looking forward to once again proving himself as a world-class flyhalf.
"[Fly-half] is the position I want to play," he said.
"I've played a little bit of centre here at the Bulls but there are not a lot of fly-halves in South Africa who are really sticking their hands up. I want to do that."
A move to the Sharks of course also means a move to the coast. The 25 year-old admits he is eager to enjoy a different lifestyle by the sea.
"I think it will be very different to life in Pretoria or Bloemfontein," said the Bulls backline star.
"The city has a very relaxed atmosphere and I'm looking forward to living down there and being able to head down to the beach more often - maybe even learning to surf!"
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