Juan Martin Hernandez will be swapping pink for black this season as he joins the Sharks © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Juan Martin Hernandez

Tournaments/Tours: Currie Cup

Teams: Argentina | South Africa

The Natal Sharks have completed the signing of Argentina fly-half Juan Martin Hernandez on a one-year deal.

His switch from France's Top 14 to the Durban-based franchise had been delayed by work permit issues but the 26-year-old has now been cleared to join his new side and is set to make his Currie Cup debut next month.

Speaking to ESPN Deportes, Hernandez confirmed he had turned down several lucrative offers from European clubs in order to make South Africa his new home with the Sharks' Argentine links the key to his decision.

"It's true there were other offers, but I'm not giving any names out of respect for the clubs that showed interest," he said. "My signing with the Sharks mostly had to do with the fact that their culture is more similar to that of the Argentineans. Federico Méndez and Nicolás Fernández Miranda played there. There are very good players on the squad and the team is always amongst the title contenders."

The talented Pumas star, capped 32 times by his country, was reluctant to commit his long term future to South Africa and has left the door open to a quick return to Europe.

"My family and I have to sort out if we can adapt to this new world. That's why the contract is just for 12 months. If everything turns out as I wish, next year in June I'll be able to decide freely where I want to go. I would like to win the European Cup; that's an unfinished business."

Hernandez leaves France with fond memories of his five years with Stade Francais although he admits the last few weeks had presented some problems.

"The issue of the offers and my contract release were very difficult and I didn't understand that on behalf of Stade Francais. But fortunately I managed to solve it in the best way. The club gave me lots of things, I leave with many friends and I had to understand that the front office was only thinking on financial terms. Nothing else."

The player known as "El Mago", or 'The Magician', helped steer Stade Francais to the Top 14 title in his first season with the club and went on to play a pivotal role in Argentina's charge to third place at the 2007 Rugby World Cup and was subsequently shortlisted for the International Rugby Board's Player of the Year award.

Originally a fullback, he was widely linked with a move to England during the off-season in 2008, but he remained in Paris for one last year before opting for the not-so-travelled route south from the northern hemisphere.

After a stop in French capital to gather his belongings he will set off for Durban where he will find a warm welcome from his new coach John Plumtree who has been waxing lyrical about his new recruit.

"It's an honour that such a renowned coach is saying good things about me, but I'm starting this challenge from scratch. I'm eager to test myself on that level. I'm looking forward to start off and play."

With Ruan Pienaar and Francois Steyn on international duty with the Springboks, the Sharks' options at No.10 are stretched and as a result Hernandez can expect to see some action sooner rather than later following his arrival in the coastal resort.

Hernandez also believes his decision to further his career in South Africa could lead to a flood of his international team mates following him.

"It's strange that there haven't been many Argentineans trying out in the Southern Hemisphere, but I believe it's an issue of quota or something like that. I hope my hiring sets a precedent for more Argentineans to play in South Africa. I mean, that way I wouldn't be all alone. It's always good to be accompanied by fellow countrymen."