Eben Etzebeth
Big-spending French giants Toulon are finding the going tough in luring Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth to France after this year’s Rugby World Cup.
Reports late last year indicated that Etzebeth could join Toulon as a replacement for compatriot Bakkies Botha, who is set to leave the reigning European champions.
The problem though for Toulon is that Etzebeth is still contracted to Western Province until the end of the 2016 season – and the union is reluctant to let him go.
Toulon boss Mourad Boudjellal has confirmed their interest in Etzebeth, but admitted that they are finding the going tough to attain Etzebeth’s services, with Western Province believed to be upset over the matter.
Boudjellal told French newspaper Var-matin: “The problem with Etzebeth is that he still has an 8-month contract after the World Cup with the Stormers. It is complicated, because we need his club to agree… they are a bit upset.”
Etzebeth is seen as the ideal replacement for Botha at Toulon.
He has played 33 Tests for the Springboks since making his debut against England in Durban in 2012.
Sport24
Quite right for WP to be digging their heels on this one as he has such a long time left on contract. BUT does the player want to go? If his head has been turned and he wants away then what purpose does it serve to keep him other than to prove a point. Not good to have someone around who is not happy to be there. What WP should do is insist that his agent finds a lot of money to buy him out his contract and compensate if the player is to go early. The question has this potential move been driven by the agent (who would probably get a lucrative reward for it) or has the player asked his agent to look for another job for him?
Didn’t realize Etzebeth has played as many tests as he has. Maybe because he is still fairly young it seems as if he has played less but he is really a well established/experienced test player already after that many tests.
Bullscot wrote:
It is a bit of a catch 22 … if WP don’t “sell” now they risk losing Etsebeth for nothing when his contract expires at the end of the 2016 season… but Boutjellah knows this and will probably also not be prepared to pay a lot of money right now and will rather wait for a year and pick him up for “free”.
Therefore, if I was Gert , i would keep him to his contract. It is not as if the player is unhappy in CT but it is all about the money and he must just wait for a year to earn the Euros.
@ Bullscot:
@ robzim:
If a player signs a Contract for 3 yrs.
So be it.
For it is written.
He should not harbour any bitterness when, “The Other Party “, expects him (or her) to uphold their end of the bargain.
Elisabeth is still a young man by Toulon standards…………………………………………………….they will wait.
The Gravy Train will stop here ………..just a little late …..that’s all.
3 @ cane:
Well said Cane, I couldn’t agree with you more.
I find it extremely embarrasing and it goes back some years in SA, started (if I’m not mistaken) by one Joost van der Westhuizen who reneged some time into a deal with a Welsh club (Gwent Osprey Dragons)?
Heck, even the Springbok coach did the same thing with Leicester I think it was…and let’s please not even mention the Snake.
@ BrumbiesBoy:
I also agree. I wonder why this is though? Because it seems to happen often. I think certain people (perhaps older) would stick it out and honour their commitment, even if the situation is shite, because you (for lack of a better term) gave your word.
You made a commitment, you better be able to honour it!
What gets my goat is that contacts these days are not worth the paper they are written on. Here, I blame the player’s agent. They should know better. Of course, others will come knocking expressing an interest in the player.
Boudjellal can’t understand this – one thing this guy has got to get into his head is that players still have international aspirations. And still want to represent their country.
Playing for your country or securing your financial future is a debate that will rage forever, I’m afraid.
various sources confirm Alberts arrival @Stadefrancais Paris
end date for transfer is June 15 in France
except for Pau and agen June 30
We expect communication from the club July 1st according to SA ruling
7 @ rebop75:
Hi rebop75 thanks for the info, just a bit confused – if he should be there by 15 June why are you only going to be hearing from the Sharks 1 July (2 weeks later)? I see the Sharks team to play Rebels tonight has Alberts and Oosthuizen listed as possible starters for number 7 – is Alberts still recovering from injury? Not good for Stade to be getting a player who will be arriving injured, there will be all sorts of issues to sort out like signing off medicals, insurance etc.
the only thing sure is that the contract need to be signed before june 15th
effective date can be delayed
and you can always put clause on it
but I doubt a guy like alberts will accept anything
and SF can not communicate on it before 1st of july
there are a lot of rumours in France
but here two many sources do confirm the signing
SF is quite persistent
when they target a player
the guy is injured ok it is a risk
signing him is seen here as a proof of confidence
hope it will work
after june 15th we have until december to sign two other players
but number of foreigners in a team is limited ( to 16)
and we have only one place left
BTW
stade français did crush arch-rival racing metro 38-15 (1/4 final)
with a 10/10 from Morne Steyn
against a pityful Sexton and co
our scrum was totally destructive !!!
a very pleasant game (ah ah !!!)
we will face toulon next week for the semi
other rumours are
spies and F steyn to montpellier
Do you think
that taking Alberts is a good idea for Stade Français Paris ?
we lack power (in the last 5 meters, offensive tackles etc..)
but the we play we need players with good handling abilities and efficient running
other rumours
Young prop Kitshoff (Stormers) to Bordeaux for 2 years
O Connell to Toulon
TBC
Kruger (Racing) to Montpellier
TBC
rebop75 wrote:
Congratulations rebop75 and all the best for your semi-final hope you get past them into the final.
rebop75 wrote:
Most of the other folk on here are more familiar with Alberts form lately, but at his best he is a fantastic player that will give you more than enough of that power that you say you are lacking. Don’t worry about you guys maybe playing a different kind of game than you think Alberts can as every team needs a tough worker, and the other teams may need to work on plans to containg Alberts strength so that could actually open up more gaps for your skilful players to exploit. BUT will you get Alberts at his best, he seems to spend a lot of time out injured, maybe it is exactly because of the hard way he plays the game.
@ rebop75:
If alberts can stay fit. He Its a massive boost to any Team
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