Saracens pair keep 'special' feeling going
Schalk Brits and Ernst Joubert today agreed new contracts with Saracens, giving the club a boost in the build-up to their Heineken Cup clash with Leinster on Saturday.
Brits, who has been outstanding since his arrival from South Africa, is the reigning Players' Player of the Year in England while Joubert was shortlisted for the same honour last season after a series of dynamic performances at No8.
Both their contracts were due to end this season but they have signed new one-year deals which in Brits' case is hugely significant.
Serious injury problems mean South Africa are short of options at hooker and many experts find it remarkable that the world champions continue to ignore the Saracens No2 just because he's playing outside the country.
With the World Cup in New Zealand next year Brits could have been a leading candidate to be recalled but his decision to stay with Sarries appears to signal that he now knows the international door is firmly shut unless there is a serious change of heart among the Springbok management.
Brits said: "This is a special place and I'm really enjoying life at the moment. This club is a genuine family and I'm happy to be part of that."
Joubert shares that view and said: "I can't think of anywhere else I would rather be playing my rugby. There is a special vibe in and around the squad and everybody wants to be part of what I am sure is going to be an exciting future."
