Springbok flanker Solly Tyibilika says the Sharks have dump-tackled their annus horribilis as the team gear up for the inaugural Super 14 next year.

"I'm sick of losing and I can't wait for the Super 14," said a motivated Tyibilika.

Tyibilika continued his good form for the Springboks this year when he played against Uruguay and Australia, but back at home in Durban with the Sharks the player was sidelined with a few niggles.

A contractual wrangle with Griquas also delayed his start in the domestic competition and, along with the injuries, meant Tyibilika had a frustrating Currie Cup.

'I promise you I'm not going anywhere, I'm happy at the Sharks'

The popular loose-forward also quashed rumours that he would going to the Southern and Eastern Cape (SEC) for the Currie Cup.

SEC, which is the merger between Eastern Province, South Western District Eagles and Border, will play as one region in the Currie Cup next year and in the Super 14 in 2007.

"I promise you I'm not going anywhere, I'm happy at the Sharks. Dick Muir knows me and he knows I can play," said Tyibilika, who hails from EP.

"We've just had a camp where we were open with each other and spoke about what went wrong this year because we didn't perform in the Currie Cup or Super 12.

"But people must remember next year we are going to be a little older and more experienced. I believe we can turn things around next year."

With the Sharks at their lowest ebb since the inception of professionalism, SEC coach Pieter de Villiers is apparently on the hunt to sign a few Sharks juniors.

With the KwaZulu-Natal Under-21s finishing third in their age-group competition, players like utility back Mzwandile Stick and prop Sangoni Mxoli have apparently been touted along with Tyibilika.

Both Stick and Mxoli have played for De Villiers at national Under-21 level and are rated highly by the former Baby Boks coach. However, De Villiers said his recruitment campaign had hit a cul-de-sac because SEC had no sponsor yet.

At the moment Eastern Province and SWD Eagles are insolvent and with Border a minnow union there is no cash cow in the region.

"If we want to be competitive and want to get players like Stick and Mxoli, then we have to offer these players what they would get at other unions," said De Villiers.

"If I don't have money, how can I offer a guy like Solly (Tyibilika) something? I hear he's interested in coming to us, but without money I can't do anything," he said.

"Come hell or high water, in November I will be beginning the team's preparations for the Currie Cup next year.

"This is the most important time for a player's conditioning and if we don't start now we are going to fall behind the others."

• This article was originally published on page 19 of Daily News on October 18, 2005