In a move that has Sale Sharks fans chomping at the bit, South African dynamo Ernst van Rhyn has penned a new three-year extension with the club, securing his services until June 2029. Van Rhyn, a versatile player who can slot in both the second row and back row, had a year remaining on his previous contract but decided to double down on his commitment to the Manchester-based squad.
Since his arrival from the Stormers ahead of the 2023-24 season, the 27-year-old has become a linchpin in the Sharks' setup, racking up 46 appearances, including a full run of 18 Premiership games last season. Known for his bone-crunching tackles, Van Rhyn not only led the league in dominant tackles last season but has also carved out a reputation as one of the Premiership's most formidable defenders.
Van Rhyn expressed his contentment with life in Manchester, "My wife Bianca and I have been really happy ever since we arrived. At the time it felt like the right club and the right city at the right time, and we still feel the same way. We’re happy with the position we’re in our lives and thought ‘why change?’. On and off the field, I’m absolutely loving my time so it was an easy decision to stay."
"We've had three semi-finals in a row and one final, and I really believe that we're so close to taking that next step. That’s so exciting. I want to be a part of it when we get there."
The Sharks' director of rugby, Alex Sanderson, couldn’t hide his delight about keeping Van Rhyn in the fold. "As a player and a person, Ernie’s boundless work rate is matched only by the attitude he brings to everything he does and the energy that he gives to everyone around him," Sanderson remarked. He added, praising Van Rhyn’s off-field influence, "Off the field he is an incredible leader, not just in how he trains and carries himself, but in his words and the way he speaks to people."
On the field, Van Rhyn’s impact is just as profound. "He’s relentlessly physical and an extraordinary player who we feel very fortunate to have at the club. We’re so excited that he’s committed his future to the club because we feel he’s only going to get better," Sanderson concluded.
With Van Rhyn locked in and the team on the verge of greatness, the Sale Sharks look poised to make some serious waves in the Premiership waters. Hold onto your hats, rugby fans, because it looks like the Sharks are just getting warmed up!
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In a move that has Sale Sharks fans chomping at the bit, South African dynamo Ernst van Rhyn has penned a new three-year extension with the club, securing his services until June 2029. Van Rhyn, a versatile player who can slot in both the second row and back row, had a year remaining on his previous contract but decided to double down on his commitment to the Manchester-based squad.
Since his arrival from the Stormers ahead of the 2023-24 season, the 27-year-old has become a linchpin in the Sharks' setup, racking up 46 appearances, including a full run of 18 Premiership games last season. Known for his bone-crunching tackles, Van Rhyn not only led the league in dominant tackles last season but has also carved out a reputation as one of the Premiership's most formidable defenders.
Van Rhyn expressed his contentment with life in Manchester, "My wife Bianca and I have been really happy ever since we arrived. At the time it felt like the right club and the right city at the right time, and we still feel the same way. We’re happy with the position we’re in our lives and thought ‘why change?’. On and off the field, I’m absolutely loving my time so it was an easy decision to stay."
"We've had three semi-finals in a row and one final, and I really believe that we're so close to taking that next step. That’s so exciting. I want to be a part of it when we get there."
The Sharks' director of rugby, Alex Sanderson, couldn’t hide his delight about keeping Van Rhyn in the fold. "As a player and a person, Ernie’s boundless work rate is matched only by the attitude he brings to everything he does and the energy that he gives to everyone around him," Sanderson remarked. He added, praising Van Rhyn’s off-field influence, "Off the field he is an incredible leader, not just in how he trains and carries himself, but in his words and the way he speaks to people."
On the field, Van Rhyn’s impact is just as profound. "He’s relentlessly physical and an extraordinary player who we feel very fortunate to have at the club. We’re so excited that he’s committed his future to the club because we feel he’s only going to get better," Sanderson concluded.
With Van Rhyn locked in and the team on the verge of greatness, the Sale Sharks look poised to make some serious waves in the Premiership waters. Hold onto your hats, rugby fans, because it looks like the Sharks are just getting warmed up!