Alistair Hargreaves excited to join old friends at Saracens

South Africa second row Alistair Hargreaves has revealed that it is the link between Saracens and his native Sharks which convinced him to swap Durban for North London.
Hargreaves has spent seven years with the Durban-based Sharks, playing alongside current Sarries players Brad Barritt and John Smit.
But, at 26, he insists the time is right to give Premiership rugby a go, even if it may put his international career on hold for a couple of years.
“I’m just waiting for my visa now but I’ll be in the UK in time for pre-season with Saracens,” said Hargreaves, who has picked up four caps for the Boks.
“I can’t wait to get over there, and when I knew I wanted to come to play in England it was the obvious choice for me. I’m good friends with John Smit and I know Brad Barritt going all the way back to school as well, so I spoke to those guys before coming over.
“In the last couple of years people have really started to follow English rugby a lot more, and Saracens in particular.
“I really feel that I can learn a lot over there, it is a very different game but I think it will be really good for me to experience something new and should make me a much better player.
“Obviously I kept a close eye on how Saracens got on this season and it was a shame that they couldn’t quite win another title, but that will be my main ambition going over there.
“We want to be back and winning the title, as well as going on a good run in Europe. They got the furthest of any English team this year, so it’s not as if it was a bad season.”
Hargreaves has endured a difficult year with a foot injury meaning that he has not featured in the Super XV this season.
That meant he was never going to be part of Heyneke Meyer’s first Springbok squad, and Hargreaves admits that was part of the reason behind his move.
He added: “With the foot injury I knew I wouldn’t be fit for the England Tests and, of course, that helped me make my decision.
“Being in England might make it difficult for me to get into the Springbok team for the next couple of years but I’m optimistic that in a couple of years if I return that I can still fight for a place in the team, if I haven’t got in while I’m in England.
“It’s been a frustrating season with the foot injury but I will be ready for next year and to make an impact in England.”
PAUL EDDISON