After a few weeks of behind the scenes negotiations, it was revealed on Thursday that the Sharks have finally taken a decision to release Russell to Province for 2007.

"It was not an easy decision and one which we vacillated over for weeks." Brian van Zyl, Sharks CEO, said in a statement.

"It would have been easy to keep him contracted 'in case we needed him', warming the bench, and deprive him of opportunity, but in the best interest of The Sharks and South African rugby, and emotions aside, we decided it would only be fair to allow Brent to seek game time in another province.

"The decision was not taken lightly, nor without deep evaluation, but with the bigger picture in mind, management and coaching concluded that we simply cannot accommodate him for 80 minutes a game in our future plans."

The statement when on to say that "due to the emergence of exciting, strong new talent in the province and Sharks coach Dick Muir's new game plan", the likelihood is that Russell would have received very little time on the field at the Durban-based outfit.

They added that Russell, regarded as one of the favourite sons of Sharks fans, leaves with everyone's best wishes.

"After all, when it gets down to the game, and The Sharks plans for the future, rugby must come first," Van Zyl added.

While this is the end of an era in Durban, it is the start of a new era for the man affectionately known as the 'Pocket Rocket' ... and era that can hopefully spark "some good things".

An obviously elated Russell described the move to Cape Town as a "great opportunity".

It will also see him play at fly-half for the Stormers in the Super 14 next year, rather than the utility role he fulfilled at the Sharks. He has been given an assurance he will get plenty of game time in the No.10 jersey.

And his goals are pretty clear.

"I just want to play some good rugby," he told this website.

"I know my potential and I know what I can achieve. I also know the World Cup is coming up next year and I want to be able to say to myself they can't leave me out. I want to have a great season.

"It's about playing at the union [WP] first and hopefully I can have a great season that can vouch for my World Cup selection.

"Change is a good thing and maybe it can spark some good things," he added.

While his medium-term goal is World Cup selection, Russell also revealed that he will be playing for the World XV against the Springboks in Leicester on December 3 - where he will join fellow discarded Bok Breyton Paulse.

Russell will also be playing, hopefully, for South Africa in the International Rugby Board Sevens tournament in George in December.

While he still has to get formal permission from his new province, WP, to join the national Sevens team, Russell will train with Paul Treu's side in Cape Town next week.

Then it is off to England for the World XV game and back to South Africa to hopefully play in the George Sevens on December 8 and 9.

By Jan de Koning