John Dobson says that while he has kept in touch with Sikhumbuzo Notshe, there have been no formal talks over a DHL Stormers return for the loose forward. DYLAN JACK reports.
Notshe’s four-year stint at the Sharks has officially come to an end as he was among the players who got a farewell during the franchise’s awards evening on Monday night.
Thank you for all the memories 🖤🦈#SharksPlayerOfTheYearAwards pic.twitter.com/i839kKG18P
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) June 3, 2024
Sunday newspaper Rapport reported that the DHL Stormers were negotiating to bring Notshe back to Cape Town, where he started his professional career in 2013 after graduating from Wynberg Boys High.
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However, when asked about the rumours, Dobson denied that there had been any formal talks with the 31-year-old, who made over 50 appearances and earned Springbok colours during his time with the Stormers.
“Notshe is a guy with whom I’ve walked a long path. He’s a guy I’ve stayed in touch with, but there is nothing formal at this stage,” Dobson said.
“My big hope with Notshe is that he gets a nice gig, where he progresses his career and gets back to where he was. I’m not sure that’s going to be here.
“We’ve had chats, but nothing formal about the Stormers. It is fluid. I was hoping his contract would be extended by the Sharks. I genuinely just want Notshe to be ok.”
Dobson added that it would be difficult for the Stormers to give Notshe the game time he needs to get back to his best, after a season that has seen him make just seven starts for the Sharks.
Even if Hacjivah Dayimani does complete his rumoured move to Racing 92, the Stormers are still stacked with options in the back row, including Evan Roos, Willie Engelbrecht, Junior Pokomela, Deon Fourie, Nama Xaba, Marcel Theunissen, Hendre Stassen and Keke Morabe.
“As much as I would love him back here, because of how much I like him personally, I must do what’s right for his career,” Dobson explained. “The timing might not be quite right.
“The one thing about this season, we’ve probably been overstocked at loose forward. So some guys didn’t get the game time they wanted. Willie and Junior both dropped a lot of game time. We actually need to be a bit thinner there. So it’s unlikely.”
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images