CJ van der Linde has signed a contract of just over 2 years to join the Lions from 1st August 2011 to 31st October 2013 the Johannesburg based Union announced in a media release this morning.

Herewith the full announcement as received from the Lions.

A new Lion joins the Pride

Johannesburg, 21 July 2011 – The Golden Lions Rugby Union announced the signing of Springbok 2007 Rugby World Cup winner, Prop CJ van der Linde. Currently playing for the DHL Western Province, van der Linde will join the MTN Golden Lions Absa Currie Cup team in August.

His contract commences on 1 August 2011 until 31 October 2013.

Van der Linde began his professional career in 1999 when he represented South Africa at U/19 level. He has progressed through the ranks, from U/21 to senior and has been a Springbok since 2002.

CJ has spent the majority of his career with the Free State Cheetahs, and played for the Cats (a combination of Cheetahs and Lions players) Super 12 team in 2004 and 2005. He moved to Cape Town and signed with the Western Province at the end of 2010. He is currently with the Springbok Tri Nations squad in Australasia.

Coach John Mitchell is looking forward to CJ’s arrival: “CJ comes with a wealth of experience and has tremendous value to add to the Lions. I’m really looking forward to working with a player of CJ’s caliber and experience. I’ve always believed in developing youngsters as part of the expansion process and exposing them to experienced mentors such as CJ,” said Mitchell.

GLRU CEO Manie Reyneke also had only praises for CJ.

It is no secret that we’ve been speaking to CJ for the past few weeks and we are both honoured and humbled to have a player of his caliber and vast experience joining the Lions.” said Reyneke.

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