"I have decided to sign with the Sharks to go back to my family in south africa! The Sharks has a very special place in my heart, I started my rugby career with them and it is such an honor and a blessing to have the opportunity to join them again and finish what I started in 2005.

"I will continue to give the Tahs my all, if not more than what I've already given. I've had some of my best moments with the Tahs and will forever be thankful to have been a part of this incredible group of people! From the bottom of my heart THANK YOU....now lets go get them."

Potgieter's arrival at the beginning of 2014 was instrumental in helping re-energise an under-performing, Wallaby-stacked Waratahs pack.

His contribution, along with the unique skills of rookie Will Skelton, were the perfect compliment to the class and experience of Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper, Dave Dennis and the team's all-Wallaby front row of Benn Robinson, Sekope Kepu and Tatafu Polota-Nau.

But his abrasive style and unique, 1980s-style haircut was what won over cynical NSW fans, who frequently gave him a standing ovation in his first season.