Sale’s Du Preez Brothers: It is an emotional end of an era – selfish we wanted to fail Jean -Luc’s movement!

At the entrance of the Carrington Training Center of Sale Sharks, a slogan has been painted on the wall to remember those who visit the Ethos and the Values ​​of the Club.

Part of it is: ‘A team. A community. A family. ‘

And as Rob, Dan and Jean-Luc du Perez can easily confirm, the sharks definitely live through those words. Since 2019, sales are not only a team, but also a community and family for the three Springbok brothers. However, there will soon be a farewell to manners.

Hulking Back-Row Forward Jean-Luc, 29, will leave his colleague Twin Dan and the oldest brother or sister Rob, 31, at the end of this season for a move to France.

This week Jean-Luc was mentioned in South AfricaThe newest team for the summer internationals against the Barbarians, Italy and Georgia, a reflection of his fine shape with the sharks, because he hopes to add to his 14 caps, the last of which was in 2018. With the time of the essence, the Du Perez brothers want to end their enchantment when selling on a high on a high on a high on a high.

On Saturday it is alex Sanderon Leicester in their semi-final collision. It could very well be the last game of the trio.

“When I stop and think about it, I get emotional,” says Jean-Luc Mail -sport. ‘It would be very special if we could play our entire life together, but it’s just not the way things happen. It was definitely one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make.

“But I have to take care of my family. This is currently the best option for us to go to France. I’ve always wanted to go there and experience a new culture. We really look forward to it as a family, but I will certainly miss these two! ‘

It is remarkable that Rob starts his 73rd consecutive sale in a game of blood and thunder today – a club record and a run dating from 2022.

“I don’t think I played 73 games in my sales career,” says smiling. “Rob trains the least but plays the most!” Rob refutes that statement: “I do what I have to do!”

Jean-Luc and then key figures in the Sharks engine room.

Center Rob, who not only shares his father’s name, but also has the same number of Springboks (seven), is something of a paternal figure for his twin brothers. “He will talk the most,” says Jean-Luc, nods in Rob’s direction.

‘I think it is a bit of an end to an era, but even more for the twins than myself. I first left the house, while they have always been together, “says Rob. ‘Egostic, I hoped that something would break off with Jean-Luc’s movement! But that was just me who wanted us to stay together for as long as possible. We knew that they would eventually be a time when we would go our own way.

‘The club has been great for Jean-Luc and he has been great for them. He leaves with everyone’s blessings. We can all agree how good he has been. In the last few weeks when we know that our time is coming to an end here, I think he has really been performed. The games together are quite special.

‘We see each other every day during training. From here we see each other, but we also all have our own families. It is nice to get to work with your brothers. ‘

The three brothers have five children between them with another on the road. All were born and raised in Manchester, their home away from home.

‘Then the self -confidence is Braai Master, “says Jean-Luc, who talks about their love for South African barbecue. ‘Hell Braai In rain, wind, ice or snow! We go to his house with the families and all the children who run around.

“It’s chaos. In the past eight weeks I know that I go away, I really tried to embrace it a bit more. To end my time here by winning premiership would be a dream that comes out and a highlight of my career. We were in the last two years ago, but we were just short.

“Alex reminded us this week that we have been in four semi -final for the past five years, which is proof of what this club is building.”

Rob and no. 8 Jean-Luc both start against Leicester, with then ready to damage the bank. Sales are also stimulated by the return to fitness of England and Lions Flanker Tom Curry, who starts in the rear row next to his twin brother Ben. The Sale team will undoubtedly have a family feeling with the Du Perez and Curry brothers in the heart.

The Sharks, whose only Premiership title 19 years ago came with a 45-20 victory over Leicester in Twickenham, were closely beaten by the Tigers on May 9, because they had hit them comfortably at home in December. This semi -final looks too close to call.

The tigers of Michael Cheika have a home advantage, but the sale is in shape and seem to have carefully timed their run to the play-offs. Crucial is that they also have a fully fit team.

Sales owners Simon and Michelle Orange and Ged Mason took out the Gebroeders du Preez to mark the coming end of an era. Not surprising for a trio of large South Africans, steak stood on the menu. Jean-Luc is the favorite seller of Simon Orange.

“Some players do not adapt or acclimatize in places and we,” Rob adds. “I think we did that very well. We all spent most of our adult lives here, so it has certainly become at home. I think the team is better off when the twins are in it. I probably take it for granted if we are all on the field at the same time.

‘If we could win the Premiership – and I fully believe that we can because the belief in the team is great – it would be justification for all the sacrifices we made.

‘We hope that this is not our last game together and we will have another one. We believe that this will be the case. When it comes, I assume it will be emotional. ‘