Lionel Mapoe may soon be on his way to the Blue Bulls due to a salary dispute with the Free State Rugby Union (FSRU).
The FSRU’s legal representatives will meet with Mapoe’s on Thursday. The meeting may determine whether Mapoe’s contract is valid or whether he can be contracted by the Bulls for a salary of R1.4 million straight away.
Sport24’s sources indicate that Mapoe is earning around R29 500 per month in the Super 14, which is the minimum salary for a South African player in the Super 14. His contract with Free State is worth about R200 000 a year.
Mapoe was contracted as an unknown emerging talent by the Cheetahs in 2008 for R80 000 a year for three years, with annual increases built into the contract.
He still played for the Free State under-21 side in 2009 and only made his mark for the senior team later in the season, after which the Cheetahs decided to increase his salary.
The Cheetahs are now believed to be willing to increase his salary to R750 000 a year within 24 months if he’s prepared to extend his contract until 2012.
Mapoe’s representatives believe that his current salary is not market related.
FSRU president Harold Verster confirmed to Sport24 that he had received a lawyer’s letter from the agents in which the validity of Mapoe’s contract is disputed.
“There is an issue around Mapoe’s contract. His agent, Red Star Talent and more specifically Mike de Haast, is looking at the issue with lawyers. The matter is sub judice because there are ongoing negotiations between the lawyers and we have a meeting on Thursday,” said Verster.
“You can probably always go looking for a problem in a contract. We are quite certain our affairs are in order.
“It’s a pity that this kind of thing always pops up before we play a big South African team. It’s disruptive for the team and players. It’s a pity that our own people in Bloemfontein disrupt our team at such a crucial time.”
Verster believes Mapoe is a star and the Cheetahs would like to keep him in the long term.
“We have looked after him very well to date. He did not have a medical aid last year when he suffered a knee injury. His agents did not arrange a medical aid for him. Free State Rugby paid R25 000 for his knee operation,” said Verster.
“He has also had free accommodation for the past two years at the Cheetah house.”
De Haast says that the Bulls have not made Mapoe an offer.
“Lionel is committed to the Cheetahs and is looking forward to Saturday’s match against the Stormers,” he said.
This article- i dont understand how he can be worth 1,4 for the Bulls, read the 2 sentences one in the second paragraph and at the end.
“The FSRU’s legal representatives will meet with Mapoe’s on Thursday. The meeting may determine whether Mapoe’s contract is valid or whether he can be contracted by the Bulls for a salary of R1.4 million straight away”
“De Haast says that the Bulls have not made Mapoe an offer”
Were did i miss the 1,4 million prize tag?
I hate this report , it stirs the pot again. That prize is far too high in my honest opinion. The 750 000 one the Cheetahs is more in line for him. They can build in a performance bonus and a yearly increase in there. R1.2 upwards is the WO, PS, Stegman … category.
Pedrie and Danie and Kuun will be around ! million in my eyes, and players like Ndungane , Chillies between 750000 and 1 million.
With that in mind how about us putting a evaluation on each player on a poll here on RT. We can start by nominating players. Do it every week. Week 1 The back 3, 15,14 and 11, then week 2 the Centers, week 3 the no9 and 10s. and so on.
Something like
a= 500 000 – 750 000
b- 750 000 – 1 mil
c- 1 mil – 1,5 mil
d- 1 mil and more
Super, Mapoe is a huge, huge talent. Going to be one of our greats. If the 1.4 million has come up (not sure how true it is) but press might be the instigator here, but really this player if kept injury free will be worth that. I was hoping Sharks would snap him up if he was available. See Free State really want to keep him, then they also need to respect him and pay him what he is worth.
What a dislike the most is a union throwing up to the press what they have done for a player. Really it is a damn shame they have to throw that into Mapoe’s face. So what if they paid R25 000 for Mapoe’s knee op and that he has stayed rent free in the Cheetah House. Any big union would have done that for this player. Now why the heck do they have to splurt that out and tell the whole of SA? Mapoe has his pride. I am sure he never wanted that in the press. No-one does. Unions sometimes should keep their big mouths shut.
Forgot to say. Morning all Rugby Talkers 😀
Puma did you see how the FduP message was recieved in Blue Bull land. Thats the way to do it , look and learn.
6 – Super, For sure. Then the Bulls are really a professional union.
Mapoe at the Bulls…. what an exciting prospect… and as we’ve seen, he can play outside centre and at wing, both positions where the Bulls need some bolstering!
But let’s give the Staat the opportunity to sort matters out first, that would be the right thing to do.
The fact that Verster mentioned that Mapoe has stayed at the “Cheetah house” is nothing terrible, every Union, even the small ones, have accomodation for junior players and up until recently Mapoe was junior (before the CC of 2009). What I have against that type of comment is to play unfairly upon a player’s loyalty…. just pay the man what he is worth, finished and klaar.
Mapoe at the Bulls would be great…F.Hougaard can then focus on getting ready to take over from F.du Preez.
Like Gbs mentioned though, we don’t want this Sharks/Lions cloud hanging over us. Fair trading deal ala Stormers/Bulls.
Make an offer if its on the cards and may the best negotiator win !!!
We all know who that will be…hehehe 😆
#9
Ja, even Bryan Habana knows the answer to that one, Blouste…. 😉
fender @ 10
lol
If you want loyalty get yourself a dog. Pay the man what he is worth.
@10 fender – Exactly my point…
@11 Asgat…Wat lag jy he !!!
If you want loyalty, get yourself a WIEPIE supporter…. hehehehe
Klomp een-ogige sponsparras…. nê Wezwp en Asbak….
1.4m to the bulls and 20k a month to the cheetahs. I doubt the bulls will even spend that much on him. But then again they are in need of some colour in that squad.
Weve got more than enough BLUE in our team…
Thats our favourite colour, why would we want more colour?
I dont want to rain on your parade Blouste but how long do you think the bulls will get away with it.Your beloved team is just giving the politicians way to much firepower. I think mapoe to the bulls is a done deal.
Wezwp…
Fair enough…
Tell me what will/can they do?
We have exellent development programmes in place bringing through “previously disadvantaged” players. (Although in my mind that term should not even exist anymore – nevertheless that’s just my opinion )
So tell me what will they do?
17@ Wezwp – It’s just coincidence that the Bulls seem a few short on the colour issue because a few of our guys are out injured, Akona, Heinie, Chilli..
We’ve already played Mametsa, Heinie, Maku, Gurthro, Zane, Mabeta in 2010…., there’s no problem… not in the VC squad either or in the age groups.
It’s about the right candidate, it’s about merit….
Now this was enough along these lines…. no more please!
Bulls have a well balanced side…
Go BUUUUUUUUUUUUULLLLLLLSSSSSS!!!!!!!
Hehe, talking about the “previously disadvantaged” Mjekevu on the wing for the Lions was head boy for KES, is there a bias for previously “had a silver spoon in my mouth”?
What do you mean gbs. These things will always be up for discussion. Im also a firm believer in merit first above colour but why should mvovo not start surely the guy deserves a chance ahead of terblanche who was playing fullback all the time. I would never put a slow 35yr old guy on the wing in place of a speedy youngster. Please guys dont come with your one eyed views. We living in South Africa.
Those guys you mentioned hardly had any game time gbs and you know it. How is 2 minutes game time enhancing a players ability. Btw maku needs to learn to find his jumpers and fast. If Gary gets injured the coach would probably replace him with kuun on the away leg.
Wezwp
Fact is there should be none of it…Merit only should be the criteria.
If that’s the case none of this guessing this guessing that would ever be an issue, for example your assumption regarding Terblanche… Maybe the coach are looking for more experience, a better boot, who knows?
Blouste the sharks season is just about over. They should look at 2010 as a rebuilding year. Whats the point anyway letting Stefan play on the wing. Follow the aussie example. Look what Tomuo, O connor and Quad cooper did when They were given the chance.
22@ Wezwp – You asked about the Bulls, I explained…. now you’ve moved the bundary to the Sharks where I believe they have to sort out their own shit.
Fact is, go look at your own Stormers, go look at the Lions and the Cheetahs and the Sharks… the ranks of the Super 14 teams nowhere is brim full of PDI’s…. but the promise of youngsters coming through all the ranks at age group and VC groups are there… they must just play their way open like any other individual.
Look how nicely Mapoe has come through, look at Mjekevu… and there are lots of other examples.
Like Blouste says, our favourite colour at the Bulls is blue….. no matter what hue of blue…. sakie maakie of jy helse ligblou of so effe donkerder blou issie…. as jy goed genoeg is, is jy ‘n Bul en ons cheer netso hard vir jou!
Is’nt it liberating to see how fans like old Beeeeeeaaaaast from the Sharks…. or Habananananana at the Stormers… or Nokwe and Mapoe at the Cheetahs. Our kids have these okes all as roll models…. and rightly so.
My attitude is, don’t scratch where it is not scratchy…. the natural thing WILL happen and that is that talent WILL come through, it has to happen…. simple as that.
I am just glad the Bulls gave the young Gerhard vd Heever a chance to show his exceptional talent. It very rare. But yes i agree give other youngsters a chance too. If your team is struggling like the Sharks and Lions now you destroy a young player. Bring in the young one at a time.
Wezwp
I understand your argument, however it is not as clear cut as it seems…
This is a professional sport and a lot more is at stake… people’s jobs might be on the line and I’m not talking about Plum neccessarilly…
The Sharks are desperate for a win …
Hence ,building now at a cost of losing imo won’t be an option to them.
25@ Wezwp – Just so you know, Puma and the rest of us have been shouting for the inclusion of Mvovo for weeks now… and for the axing of Jannie and his boet Bissy…. why did we do that…. it’s simple, Jannie and Bissy are both ill-diciplined…. and Mvovo has the pace to replace Odwa… no other criteria or hidden motives….
super
Agree, to introduce a player to a losing culture now might do more harm than good…
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