Francois Venter, a former Springbok center who lost his job a few weeks ago when Worcester Warriors filed into bankruptcy, has received assistance from the Sharks.
The seasoned Venter played seven Tests for the Boks in 2016 and 2017 and 55 times for Worcester starting in 2018.
The 31-year-old has previously had successful careers with the Bulls and Cheetahs.
The sooner Venter can get to the Shark Tank, the better, since the Sharks are a little weak in the middle and Rohan Janse van Rensburg is out for four games due to suspension.
Venter is not likely to be the only South African who has played abroad to return home and continue his career as the English Premiership’s financial issues intensify.
Because English teams are now cutting their finances and not looking to add new players, Wasps have joined Worcester in the insolvency courts, forcing their players to hunt for jobs elsewhere.
Burger Odendaal, a center for Wasps and a former captain of the Lions, reportedly caught the attention of the Sharks, but because of his excellent play, Odendaal has had offers from other European teams as well as Japan.
The English rugby crisis will have an impact on rugby throughout the globe, and one benefit for South African rugby is that certain players who have been playing abroad, like Venter, may be compelled to come home, boosting the local game.
As foreign teams cut down, the yearly exodus of players from South Africa to Europe will also be somewhat slowed.
The positive impact of returning seasoned players from the northern hemisphere on the SA game has already been seen.
The Bulls’ coach Jake White has brought in a number of players, including Marcell Coetzee, Johan Goosen, Marco van Staden, Bismarck du Plessis, and Lionel Mapoe, who have improved the squad while also playing a crucial mentorship role for future players.