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The protracted contract saga between the Lions and Sharks, over the services of Willem Alberts and Louis Ludik, will come to a head on Wednesday.

The South African Rugby Union on Monday confirmed that a hearing into a complaint against the KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union and the two players, Ludik and Alberts, would be heard on Wednesday.

In a statement the South African Rugby Union confirmed that Koos Basson – the former chairman of the SARU disciplinary committee – has been appointed as Judicial Officer and will hear the complaint at SARU’s offices in Newlands on Wednesday, February 10 at 10.00.

The Golden Lions Rugby Union last month laid a formal complaint with SARU against the Sharks -  as well as Ludik and Alberts - after Alberts played in a pre-season game for the Sharks against the Force and Stormers at Newlands.

"The complaint was brought by the Golden Lions Rugby Union, who alleged that the Sharks – the commercial entity of the KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union – had not secured the necessary clearance certificates required before contracting the players," the statement said on Monday.

"The Lions also charged that the two players remained under contract to them.

"The Lions allege that this constituted a breach of SARU regulations relating to the Movement of Players and asked SARU to investigate the complaint."

Manie Reynecke, the GLRU CEO, told rugby365.com that he has lodged the complaint, as promised, because the Sharks have breached SARU's regulations.

"I have maintained, from day one, that they [Alberts and Ludik] have legal and binding contracts with us," Reynecke told this website, adding: "There are rules and regulations for a reason and those should be adhered to."

The Sharks, with lawyer Frikkie Erasmus at the forefront of the stand-off, have been stubbornly maintaining that Alberts and Ludik do not need clearance certificates and have insisted that SARU make a ruling on the matter.

SARU, initially, declined to get involved - prompting the Sharks to force the hand of the national body by playing Alberts.

Ludik is still injured, but was also named in an extended Sharks pre-season squads.

Now SARU, as a result of the Lions' complaint against the Sharks, will hold a formal hearing.

The Sharks may face a fine or even suspension.

Related links:
* Alberts saga: Sharks in the dock
* Sharks force SARU's hand
* Sharks may be handed legal hot potato

By Jan de Koning