Alberts ready for last stand

The Sharks host the Stormers in their final match of the 2015 Super Rugby season on Saturday night.

Alberts, Fred Zeilinga and the Du Plessis brothers are making their final appearance for the Sharks before moving on to greener pastures. Zeilinga is heading to the Cheetahs next season, while reports suggest Alberts and the Du Plessis’s are off to France.

Speaking after the Sharks team announcement today, Alberts reflected on his five year stay at the Sharks. He has racked up 72 Super Rugby caps and scored 7 tries since he joined the Durban outfit from the Lions in 2010.

“There are many highlights, I think back to my first season with the Sharks when we won the Currie Cup and I became a Bok at the end of the year – that is because the team was successful and the Sharks helped me to achieve that goal,” Alberts said.

“Also in that time, a World Cup, four Currie Cup finals with wins in 2010 and 2013 have all been very memorable.”

While he has had a prolific career at the Sharks, Alberts admitted it has been a frustrating year battling with injuries. He has only played six games this season.

“My body should be fresh because I haven’t played too much, but with age comes niggles. It was frustrating not to be part of a successful campaign; you don’t start the year expecting to finish in the bottom half of the log - and then through the season realising it was my last campaign. So it was frustrating and disappointing, but we made some good memories at the same time,” Alberts said.

“When times are tough, that’s when character comes out and you know which players you can rely on to take with you to war. And whose respect you can earn. They stand out when you finish your career and they’re the ones you made special memories with.”

While he didn’t confirm where he was headed next season, Alberts said the timing of his departure was right for him and his family.

Despite the uncertainty of his future, Alberts is champing at the bit to run out of the Kings Park tunnel one last time.

“To run out at Kings Park is always a very special feeling. I guess that old rugby saying, to play each game like it’s your last, becomes a reality for me in a Sharks jersey this weekend.  I just make sure I play my best for my teammates, for myself and for all the Sharks fans that have supported me.”

The Sharks host the Stormers at Growthpoint Kings Park on Saturday evening. Kickoff is at 19h10.

(File Photo: Gallo Images)

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