Lions stick to their roar that Tshituka's Sharks move is not a done deal yet

The Lions are determined not to walk away empty-handed from the loss of Vince Tshituka, their star blindside flanker, to the Sharks.

The 23-year-old was earlier this week unveiled as one of the Durbanites' eye-catching new signings for next season, joining his fellow team-mate and burly prop Carlu Sadie.

Yet Rudolf Straeuli, the Lions' chief executive, is insistent on a meeting with his Sharks counterpart, Eduard Coetzee, to find an "amicable" solution to what they argue is a contractual impasse, especially since Tshituka's current deal only expires in December.

An early release for next season's pre-season period in July could prompt such a negotiation.

READ | 'Tireless' Tshituka named SA's URC Player of the Month for April

Sport24 understands that the Lions matched the Sharks' offer, entitling them to first use of the loose forward's services.

While the Ellis Park-based franchise isn't necessarily intent on keeping Tshituka, they argue their equivalent deal warrants a form of compensation. 

"It's about finding an equitable solution that satisfies everyone," said Tracy van Ginkel, the Lions' head of contracting.

"We need to help each other as franchises in the current environment."

However, Dane Galley, Tshituka's agent, stated that he and the player ensured the agreement with the Sharks was legally compliant.

"We're fully confident that we have a binding contract with the Sharks," he told Sport24.

"I consulted our labour lawyer to ensure that we could proceed with the deal. Contracting regulations allow for players to consider all offers within the final 12 months of their existing contract, including the team they're currently affiliated to.

"We also determined that a player is under no obligation to accept a matched or even