Cape Town - The Sharks may have permanently lost two of their star players, but their bank account should offset the loss somewhat.

It was last week confirmed that the Du Preez twins, Dan and Jean-Luc, had signed permanent deals with English club Sale Sharks.

They were initially signed on loan but were expected to return for next year's Super Rugby competition.

Rapport revealed on Sunday that Sale paid the Durban-franchise £105 000 - in the region R1.83 million - for a permanent transfer.



The Afrikaans newspaper added that the transfer fee was the biggest yet in SA Rugby.

The loose forward twins' older brother, Robert, also recently signed a permanent deal with Sale.

There will be a big South African contingent at Sale in the next English season, with the likes of Faf de Klerk, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Lood de Jager, Akker van der Merwe, Coenie Oosthuizen and Jono Ross also on their books.