Sharks tie Baby Bok Celimpilo Gumede to new deal

The Cell C Sharks have secured the services of one of their hottest properties Celimpilo Gumede to a new two-year deal, according to his agency ESportif_SA.

The talented loose forward is a homegrown player, born and bred in Durban, and matriculated at Durban High School in 2018. That is the school that would be credited with developing and fulling unearthing Gumede’s rugby abilities and after two years of first-team rugby, he also represented the KZN Craven Week side for two years in a row, earning SA Schools colours in the process.

Gumede captained his school before joining the Sharks

Known as a captain with strong leadership qualities, it was no surprise that the Sharks were keen to keep one of the most promising homegrown prospects from the region, in the region, subsequently signing Gumede for the famed Sharks Academy. The 21-year-old has since progressed pretty well within the ranks of the union, with faith shown in his abilities as early as last year when he found himself in their Super Rugby squad.

Gumede is a player SA coaches have kept a keen eye on

After playing a few friendly matches for the senior side, including the Superheroes Rugby Day, he dropped back into the Sharks u21 set up to help the team in their age group championships. Gumede’s potential was even spotted by Rassie Erasmus and his regime who seem to have him down as a player of national interest, after he made the extended list of players to select from, for the Springboks Green vs Gold fixture last year.

He has kept on progressing well at the Sharks

The player has only gone from strength to strength since, as he played a few games in both the Super Rugby unlocked and the Carling Currie Cup last season. Earlier this year, the Sharks senior coaches increased the responsibility on his young shoulders, with a regular starting role for the side in the Preparations series, a run of games that would’ve done Gumede’s development the world of good.

READ | BABY BOKS RETURN TO ACTION IN FOUR-MATCH SERIES THIS JUNE

Although he is yet to feature in the Rainbow Cup, the early signs show that the Sharks have every belief as well as a plan for Gumede’s long-term future at the Shark Tank, and the announcement from his agency could be proof of that.

Statement from Agency

“Bricky extends his stay in Durban until 2023!!! Hard man Celimpilo Gumede is one to lookout for in the future at the Sharks !!!  Well done Mpilo, we look forward to what the future holds!” read the statement from Esportif_SA’s official Instagram page. The Sharks later followed that announcement with their own short announcement video.