Giant ACT Brumbies lock Etienne Oosthuizen says family and not ex-coach Jake White’s decision to quit is the reason he wants to stay in South Africa and be released from the last year of his Super Rugby contract.
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The Brumbies have agreed to release Oosthuizen after he contacted the club from Johannesburg to tell them he wanted to stay at home.
Oosthuizen was one of White’s recruits last year and he lured the 198 centimetre, 120 kilogram forward away from South Africa to move to Canberra.
South African White quit his coaching contract last month, and told Fairfax Media he "doesn't feel guilty for chasing an international dream".
Oosthuizen played three games for the Brumbies this year, including the historic win over the British and Irish Lions in June.
Brumbies forwards coach Laurie Fisher said, ‘‘Etienne came to us with a request to stay in Africa where his family is based rather than return to the Brumbies.
“That is a situation that we could sympathise with and we were able to organise a release, effective immediately.
“We wish Etienne all the best in the future.”
White used his South African connections as World Cup-winning Springboks coach to sign players from his home country.
Oosthuizen was a South African junior representative and moved to Australia for a chance to star.
His game time was limited with Scott Fardy and Sam Carter securing their places in the Brumbies’ starting XV.
The Brumbies are yet to replace Oosthuizen in their 30-man full-time squad.
Coaches in waiting Fisher and Stephen Larkham are searching for two recruits to complete the squad.
Meanwhile, Brumbies members have until Monday to renew their membership and retain the same seat for the 2014 Super Rugby campaign.
