Exciting Maties flyhalf Robert du Preez has signed a contract with Western Province Rugby, which will see last year’s SA Under-20 pivot play his rugby in Cape Town until 2016 at least.
Du Preez had been on loan from the Sharks to the University of Stellenbosch for the duration of the 2014 Varsity Cup, but the tournament’s leading points-scorer has now chosen to remain in the Cape with immediate effect.
The son of former Springbok, Sharks and Blue Bulls scrumhalf Robert du Preez, who now coaches NWU-Pukke, Robert Junior has carved out his own reputation as a quality rugby player, having represented KZN and Natal at Under-16 and Under-18 level.
Robert du Preez Jr represented his country with distinction in the 2013 IRB Junior World Championships in France and this year his inspirational performances for the Maties in the Varsity Cup saw the strapping flyhalf nominated as one of the three finalists for the prestigious 2014 Player of the Tournament Award.
The former Kearsney College scholar is clearly one of the country’s most outstanding flyhalf talents and he will provide much-needed depth at Under-21 level for Western Province this year, with Ryno Eksteen out of action for some time with an injury.
Du Preez, who turns 21 on July 30 of this year, stands 1,92 metres tall and weighs 95 kilograms.
It’s a great signing, although I remain unconvinced about the youngster as yet, but it’s nice to have the depth. He was preferred to Pollard at the WC, so who knows?
Still great to support the depth in the system. I wonder if he will play alongside young Reece Edwards from the WPRI?
Talk about a sons of the Natal greats combo lol.
Welcome home son
I wonder what Skoppie will make of this?
It’s not poaching if a player wants to live in a nice city like Cape Town, it’s only poaching if a player leaves a nice city like Cape Town for another city.
Haha true that, but these days I expect that Skoppie is spitting his over alliterated wisdom on the Inedia (Living on Light) group forums…..
“Breathenarians” to us common food eating folk.
@Stormersboy
Perhaps he won’t be enamored with the WP signing a player from that last bastion of pomararian pomposity pom pom Jake the Snake oil salesman worshipping fuckadillies?
@ nortierd:
Skop, is that you??????
Bad choice, @rshole. His dad played with distinction for the Blou Bulle. Kiss your Springbok chances goodbye son. At WP with AC near, you are history.
“Du Preez, who turns 21 on July 30 of this year, stands 1,92 metres tall and weighs 95 kilograms”
Frans Steyn type, not clever , sharp? Just solid.
@ superBul:
Don’t worry.. AC’s days are numbered… it’s only a matter of time.. Robert will be just fine
Well as we’ve seen with players like Pollard, and even Goosen to an extent, it is risky to hype a young player before he’s had a chance to prove himself at senior level.
I think it’s great that he’s joined us but time will tell if he’s good enough at a senior level.
I for one am tired of the next great hype. For me it’s performances on the field that count
@ Stormersboy:
Yes, its very true.. so many schoolboy superstars faded at senior level.
Something that “bothers” me a bit about du preez is his size (as pointed out by superbull @ 9 above).
Not many tall flyhalves have made it righ to the top… Steven Larkham is a notable exception but he was very fleetfooted with exceptional passing skills ……. most of the real top no 10’s are or were smallish.. like Wilkinson, Carter, O’Garra, Stransky, Grant Fox etc…. sometimes it seems as if the taller players are just that split second slower to get a kick away under pressure etc…remember how many times Frans Steyn was charged down when he played flyhalf..
@ robzim:
Yes, Dan carter is also a smallish player like Spencer.
I see real danger lurking down at EP, watch how Carlos bring back, Elton and repair him. The success of NMMU and the free running game they will be allowed to play will brighten up SA,s rugby landscape.
I know it is a big call from me but whoever have to play the Kings at the end of the year will have to be at the top of their game.
If it is the Stormers expect a few grubbers and chip kicks to break the solid defense..
Big call so early, but remember they are already building
@Superbul
I thought there is no more relegation matches because they will be included in 2016 as per arrangement and also got promoted to the CC?
@ nortierd:
i missed that news
@ nortierd:
That makes it easier to close contracts. That would be ideal for the Kings
superBul wrote:
I may be wrong, I’m sure someone here will be more clued up, but that was the way I understood it.
I don’t think any of the current franchises will struggle against them at the moment though, even in the Vodacom Cup the EP are getting trounced. The Lions used the Vodacom Cup last year to prepare for the relegation matches after the scrapped the Lions Challenge.
@ nortierd:
I see that a few Lions players was on loan and returned. Wonder if the Kings have the same deal this year.
If not the Bulls must thank them for unearthing the talent.
@Superbul
I think the Bulls actually contracted guys like Vleis and even Waylon Murray?
Cat went back to Province, isn’t their scrummie at the Cheetahs?
Some went to the Sharks, so they basically have to start from scratch, even Solomon’s left and took one or two youngsters with him overseas.
Not very impressed by this youngster. At least he isn’t hyped up like Pollard, Goosen, Serfontein etc were. Who knows, maybe he’ll cut it in the end unlike the hyped up ones who just perform like your average first class rugby player when they joined the senior ranks.
Anybody knows what happened to the rumor of Dobson to be appointed CC coach of WP?
@Clovis
As long as people don’t refer to him as Gert’s first miracle worker signing and allow him to settle into senior rugby without undue expectations, he should be ok.
@ nortierd:
Hope so Nortie. Where does he fit in the cue. We have Grant, Catrakilis, Coleman,…
@Clovis
Good question
Gary, perennially injured, Grant has shown he must be on his last legs now and his time must be close to up. Why should everything revolve around when he can finish in Japan, and then like last year, not even get on the pitch.
Demetri is the biggest victim here, they lost him, then through a huge fanfare re contracted him, yet he must wonder why.
Maybe the Cat will still be 1st choice next year with Du Preez as understudy?
They must invest in another quality youngster to have at least 3 and cut Grant when they start weeding out the dead wood.
Gary has had ample opportunities, but they can’t plan long term with him, same as Tiaan, they spend more time injured more than on the field
Yebo yes, Gayle out.
For someone who picked Pakistan that’s good news.
Now to get the other gangham dance troupes out cheaply as well
@ nortierd:
Hope so Nortie. Where does he fit in the line. We have Grant, Catrakilis, Coleman,…
nortierd @ 25
posted this somewhere else as well, but thought you’d appreciate this:
interesting stat from cricinfo
gayle vs hafeez
total balls faced: 6
dismissed: 3 times
runs scored: 1
And van Aswegen
He will probably play Vodacom and CC this year so they can gauge how he goes in senior rugby.
Personally I would have a shopping list consisting of a hooker, locks, decent scrumhalf, wings and full back.
With Gio out and also leaving, a solid full back ( not Taute ) will be welcome. This Takkiewatchamacallit heaven know why he got a contract. Bekker was played into the ground and left, Brits was allowed to go, although he would never have fit in with the game plan of the last few years.
FS have Strauss, Sharks have Bissie, there must be another solid burly hooker somewhere who can throw in straight and not break down after 2 games?
We have a so called Springbok tourist at 9, but neither our 2 scrum halves would make the starting line up of any of the other franchises.
Ashley wrote:
Lol
I guess it’s safe to say he is his bunny
@ nortierd:
Scrum half and hooker.
I can’t believe that there are no decent locks, wings and fb in the Cape. One needs to ask if the scouts are doing their job.
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