Player Movements
The Cheetahs started their preparations for the 2013 Super 15, with fitness assessments today. All the injured players, and new signings were present, except Cornal Hendricks, who the Cheetahs have contracted, but SARU maintain he is still contracted to them.
All Blacks centre Sonny Bill Williams has confirmed his return to Rugby League by agreeing a one-year deal with the Sydney Roosters in Australia’s National Rugby League.
Francois Louw will turn down offers from South African teams and opt for a contract extension at Bath, believes the English club’s head coach, Gary Gold.
England have called Gloucester duo Freddie Burns and Billy Twelvetrees into their training squad ahead of the opening Autumn International against Fiji at Twickenham.
The Southern Kings appear to have given up on their pursuit of foreign imports, while also confirming that they are in talks with another Springbok.
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer is reportedly targeting tighthead prop Brian Mujati as his 32nd squad member for their European tour.
The Sharks squad for the new season is taking shape and what is encouraging is that it seems that the only players leaving the Sharks are Steven Sykes who will Join the Kings in Port Elizabeth as well as Piet Lindeque who will be furthering his studies and rugby career at the university of Pretoria although the latter not yet confirmed.
In the same week that the Cheetahs lost the highly promising lock, Carl Wegner, they announced the acquisition of another young lock. Lodewyk (Lood) de Jager was considered unlucky, by many to miss out on selection for last years IRB Junior World Championships. He was only cut from the group during the final trials. Apparently the Bulls were also interested in his services.
The movement of players away from the Free State was reported on this site earlier today with mention being made of the exodus of various locks from the province. Here we bring the news article from the ‘other side’, announcing the arrival of former Free State lock Izak van der Westhuizen.
The five New Zealand Super Rugby franchises have announced their squads for the 2013 Super Rugby season with 43 debutants being named in the 159 listed players.
The Southern Kings have been given a player boost by the news that both Western Province Currie Cup hero Demetri Catrakilis and Lions and Bok hooker Bandise Maku will be joining them for the 2013 edition of Vodacom Super Rugby.
In what is fast become a rout, and a crisis for not only the Cheetahs, but also for South African Rugby, another promising lock has signed a contract to play in Europe for the next two years.
Australian Super Rugby sides are allowed 35 players each, moved up from 30 in 2012, in their Extended Player Squads for Super Rugby 2013.
When the Springbok squad of 31 (one more player to be added) was announced on Sunday, my first impression was that there was a squad of fully fit players, bar maybe some niggles after the Currie Cup Final of the day before.
It now appears that there were indeed real injuries to be considered, specifically the injuries of Adriaan Strauss (knee) and Francois Louw (neck) as well as Springbok Captain Jean de Villiers (hamstring).
The worst kept secret in South African rugby has finally been confirmed. Elton Jantjies will be a Stormer in 2013.
Lions flyhalf Butch James is set to return to play for the Sharks, which would delay his retirement until July 2013.
Springbok utility back Jaco Taute says he would like to be considered at fullback when he plays for the Stormers in next year’s Super Rugby competition.
Two Vodacom Blue Bulls player will undergo medical procedures in the next week following a long and taxing 2012 rugby season.
Jaco Taute, Lions and Springbok centre and fullback has penned his deal with the Stormers on loan from the Golden Lions Rugby Union, for Super Rugby 2013.
Die Blou Bulle Maatskappy (Edms) Bpk is verheug om te bevestig dat Pierre Spies sy kontrak met die BBM tot November 2015 verleng het.
The Western Force have signed former Rugby World Cup Wallabies lock/flanker Hugh McMeniman for the 2013 Super Rugby season.
Springbok No 8 and Bulls captain Pierre Spies may further his career up north after French club Bayonne reportedly have made a massive offer for his services over the next three years.
All Black legend Brad Thorn will return to New Zealand next year. He has signed a one-year contract with the Highlanders for the 2013 Super Rugby season.
The Rebels have signed Auckland Blues prop forward Pauliasi Manu to a two-year Super Rugby deal as part of their Contracted Playing Squad.
Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll fancies a Super Rugby stint before he retires, with the Waratahs favourites to secure his signature.
All Blacks centre Ma’a Nonu has revealed that he plans to leave the Blues and play for the Highlanders in the 2013 Super Rugby season.
Volksblad reports that GWK Griquas have finalised their contracts for the 2013 season. Though there aren’t any notable new signings, some loan players have been contracted.
Springbok flyhalf Johan Goosen will undergo knee surgery on Tuesday which will rule him out of action for the rest of the year.
Former Springbok and Bulls loose forward Danie Rossouw has agreed to join French Top 14 Rugby Club Toulon from February next year.
News yesterday was that the Southern Kings are eager to obtain the services of Blue Bulls and Springbok back JJ Engelbrecht.
The South African Rugby Union have effectively shut the door on the Southern Kings’ drive to field more than two overseas players in their Super Rugby squad.
Sevens specialist and Boland winger Cornal Hendricks swops places with Phillip Snyman. Snyman will join the Bok 7’s squad and Cornal Hendricks will add further depth to the Cheetahs squad. It is a win-win situation, as the Cheetahs have great depth at centre but need good quality wingers.
The Southern Kings have signed three more prominent players as they aim to bolster their squad ahead of next year’s Super Rugby competition.
Seasoned Boland flyhalf Elgar Watts will join the Cheetahs at the end of November for the 2013 season. Initially the Cheetahs hoped to have Sias Ebersohn released to the Cheetahs after the Super Rugby season, but new Force coach Foley wasn’t amenable to such an arrangement. Hence the Cheetahs will have Johan Goosen, Elgar Watts and Francois Brummer as the flyhalves to choose from, with Willie le Roux, and Riaan Smit able to slot in at flyhalf in an emergency.
The Golden Lions Rugby Union have issued a press release listing new player contract signings, and current player contract extensions.
Possibly the most significant signing is that of Warwick Tecklenberg, the promising young loose forward from the Blue Bulls.
Other exciting youngsters include a number of the victorious SA Under 20 World Championship winning side, all of whom should go a long way to building the Lions’ squad for their expected return to Super Rugby in 2014.
Also notable is that Lions stalwart of the last few years Derek Minnie, has re-commited until the end of 2014.
The full press release reads: