Barritt signs for Saracens
Sharks centre Brad Barritt will be leaving the Durban side at the culmination of the Currie Cup to link up with Guinness Premiership club Saracens on a three year deal.
Sharks centre Brad Barritt will be leaving the Durban side at the culmination of the Currie Cup to link up with Guinness Premiership club Saracens on a three year deal.
Barritt, who has also shown his skills at fly-half, has already accumulated 58 caps for the Sharks since making his debut in 2006.
Appointed vice captain because of his leadership abilities and organization of the back-line, his season has been disrupted by injury but he is expected to start playing again either this week (against Western Province) or following the three week break before the Sharks' next game, againstBoland on Friday August 29.
Despite being contracted for another year, the Sharks have generously released him to leave later this year in the interests of his own development as a player.
“From a team perspective, losing Brad is a big blow for all of us,” admitted Sharks Coach John Plumtree on the Sharks website.
“He is an outstanding Super 14 player, a good guy with great leadership qualities but we are not going to hold him back. He could even be back in a few years to play for us.”
Turning just 22 this week, Barritt still has plenty of rugby left in him. Should he return to South Africa, he will have the added advantages of having experienced rugby in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, in competitions like the Heineken Cup.
“He is still young enough to return to us and become a very valuable member for the Sharks,” Plumtree added.
“We are going to miss him and we all wish him well.”
“This is nothing to do with the Sharks,” explained Barritt.
“I wouldn't consider another option in South Africa, the Sharks is my home, where I grew up, but this is a unique opportunity as young guy to broaden my horizons.
“I want to emphasise the point that I am not turning my back on the Sharks or Springbok rugby. This is a unique opportunity for me as a young player to grow and improve by playing in different conditions.”
With the extended periods away from home during the Super 14, it is almost impossible to study and Barritt will also use his time in the UK to complete his Business Degree, where he is majoring in finance.
“It's a nice opportunity to finish my degree overseas, it's encouraged over there,” he pointed out.
“(former Wallaby Coach) Eddie Jones (now with Saracens) and I had good chat, and we agree that experiencing rugby from a different perspective may help me grow and improve as a player.
“I also see it as the chance to grow as a person away from my comfort zone.”
Barritt believes that it would be arrogant to even presume that by playing in England he would be selected to play for them.
“It's being presumptions on my part to go and play over there and expect to receive a call-up to the national squad.
“I am not turning my back on South Africa, but if the opportunity arises I will obviously have to weigh up the merits of the case, the pros and cons. But in essence, I am going over to play for Saracens, that's it.”