Eben Etzebeth
Saracens are in advanced talks to sign South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth on a short-term deal.
Etzebeth is set to move to England following his international matches in November.
The 24-year-old is contracted to the Stormers and the South African Rugby Union, but last year had a three-month spell in Japan during the southern hemisphere off-season.
South African sources have indicated a similar deal is expected with Saracens.
Etzebeth, who has 53 Springbok caps, is regarded as one of the best forwards in world rugby, and the deal would be one of the biggest signings in Premiership history.
The deal would have to be approved by SA Rugby and, if it is completed, Etzebeth would act as injury dispensation for Saracens’ former club captain Alistair Hargreaves, who was forced to retire this month because of concussion.
Etzebeth would link up with former Stormers Michael Rhodes and Schalk Burger at Allianz Park, and the move will raise further concerns in the southern hemisphere about the player exodus to clubs in France and England.
One of the leading administrators in South African, New Zealand, Australian and Argentinean Rugby (SANZAAR) said last week that the financial might of clubs in Europe was the “biggest challenge” to their unions.
bbc
It was a pity that Hargreaves had to retire, he was well respected at Saracens, did well as a player and also had a sideline business there – the Wolf bus a bar in a bus at the side of the field.
Surely it would be better for his health if Etzebeth took the time off had a good rest then a good preseason rather than slogging on. Playing in the Premiership will not be the same as playing in Japan, it has become a top competitive league. The European Champions Cup squads have already been announced so not sure he would get to play in that unless there is a loop hole. Hargreaves isn’t in that squad so it’s not as if they can bring Etzebeth in as a direct replacement for him in that competition.
Can’t find any mention of this on Saracens own website first and not heard anything elsewhere not sure where things are at the moment.
Blue Bulls team to face WP at Loftus on Saturday in Currie Cup semifinal:
Ulrich Beyers (18), Travis Ismaiel (18), Dries Swanepoel (17), Burger Odendaal (29), Jamba Ulengo (20), Tian Schoeman (22), Rudy Paige (12), Arno Botha (k, 29), Jannes Kirsten (9), Roelof Smit (10), RG Snyman (17), Marvin Orie (19), Jacobie Adriaanse (65), Jaco Visagie (16), Lizo Gqoboka (62). Replacements: Bandise Maku (81), Martin Dreyer (37), Pierre Schoeman (12), Jason Jenkins (6), Hanro Liebenberg (11), Ivan van Zyl (10), Joshua Stander (7), Bjorn Basson (68)/Nic de Jager (6).
GO BLUE BULLS!
WP team to face the mighty Blue Bulls at Loftus on Saturday in Currie Cup semifinal:15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Huw Jones, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Kobus van Dyk, 6 Rynhardt Elstadt, 5 Chris van Zyl (captain), 4 Jan de Klerk, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Mike Willemse, 17 Alistair Vermaak, 18 JP Smith, 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Stefan Willemse, 21 Jano Vermaak, 22 Johnny Kotze, 23 Scott van Breda.
Backline looks strong (mostly), a lot of unknown names to me in the forwards.
Lions team to face Cheetahs:
Xerox Golden Lions: Andries Coetzee, Koch Marx, Jacques Nel, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Anthony Volmink, Jaco van der Walt, Ross Cronje, Fabian Booysen, Cyle Brink, Kwagga Smith, Bobby de Wee, Ruan Ackermann, Julian Redelinghuys, Malcolm Marx, Jacques van Rooyen.
Replacements: Akker van der Merwe, Corne Fourie, Ruan Dreyer, Lourens Erasmus, Ruaan Lerm, Faf de Klerk, Stokkies Hanekom, Sylvian Mahuza.
Free State team to face the Lions:
Ox Nche
Torsten vsn Jaarsveld
Johan Coetzee
Justin Basson
Reniel Hugo ( VC )
Paul Schoeman
Uzair Cassiem
Niell Jordaan
Shaun Venter
Niel Marais
Raymond Rhule
Nico Lee
Francios Venter
Sergeal Petersen
Clayton Blommetjies
Replacements:
Jacques Du Toit
Charles Marais
Armandt Koster
Henco Venter
Tian Meyer
Fred Zeilinga
Ryno Benjamin
Conraad Van Vuuren
What are the thoughts on who will be facing each other in the final.
GLASGOW WARRIORS 42/13 LEICESTER TIGERS! What an opening night of European Champions Cup rugby this season at Scotstoun. Bonus point win for Glasgow scoring 5 tries to 1!
Matt Toomua was carded less than 15 minutes into his Tigers debut for a spear tackle on Finn Russell – only got a yellow. Lucky Russell managed to avoid landing on his head using his elbow as a landing pad.
huge blow on top14 teams this WE
only those who try to play some rugby during the year did make it
clermont with a huge perf in exeter
and bordeaux against exeter
good for rugby in a way
bordeaux against ulster….
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