Player Movements
Bulls midfielder Johann Sadie may be the first high-profile player to opt for a dual-contract, allowing him to play both Sevens and provincial rugby in the near future.
In what is regarded as an significant coup for Cheetahs rugby, Volksblad reported this morning that it is confirmed that Johann Sadie, the promising WP star, who joined the Bulls earlier this, is heading to Bloemfontein to join the Cheetahs. It is believed that he will flourish in the Cheetahs playing pattern. Lack of game time, and a host of other players in the center position at the Bulls led to the players frustration.
Whilst the Cheetahs are not involved in further participation of the Super 15, some interesting players signings bode well for the Cheetahs 2013 season. Of course more players will sign, and some will leave, but it is interesting to note the movements.
It’s the hunting season and the targets are the young bucks of South African rugby. It is an intense time for talent scouts and likely to grow more intense.
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee still hasn’t given up all hope of influential No 8 Duane Vermeulen being ready to play some part in the Super Rugby semifinal at Newlands against one of the Crusaders, Sharks or Bulls on 28 July.
Vodacom Bulls loose forward Jono Ross will be hoping the next fortnight goes well as he undergoes a trial at English club Saracens.
Promising Kenyan forward Daniel Adongo has been released from his contract with the Blue Bulls after just six months.
The Vodacom Bulls stalwart Wynand Olivier will join Japanese club Ricoh Black Rams at the completion of the Vodacom Super Rugby series, the Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd announced today.
All Blacks and Chiefs star Sonny Bill Williams has confirmed that he will leave New Zealand Rugby and play in Japan after the Super Rugby season.
Rynhardt Elstadt will be back to add some of the physicality that appeared to be missing from the win against the Lions, but Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth will still be missing from the Stormers team that plays a crucial Super Rugby match against the Cheetahs on Saturday.
The Sharks’ chances of winning their crunch Super Rugby derby against the Bulls have suffered a mortal blow with the confirmation that star backline player Patrick Lambie is unlikely to line up for the match, whilst Willem Alberts is doubtful for the clash, whereas Frans Steyn is bound to slot straight into the starting lineup at centre.
Wallabies David Pocock and Kurtley Beale have played their last games of Super Rugby for the season and may be in doubt for Australia’s back-to-back Tests against the All Blacks next month.
The Crusaders have named a near full strength team to play the Chiefs which includes Dan Carter and Kieran Read returning from injury.
Super Rugby’s leaders, the Chiefs, have named a strong lineup with a couple of changes to the team that beat the Highlanders for this week’s much anticipated match against the Crusaders.
The Beeld reports that promising young lock Quinn Roux, has signed with Irish club Leinster.
Naka Drotske has been a busy man, during the midyear test window. After giving past stalwart Kabamba Floors a lifeline, he has now also given robust flanker Frans Viljoen a new opportunity at the Cheetahs for the Currie Cup.
According to reports in various newspapers, CJ Stander is heading to Munster, after the Currie Cup of 2012. The promising Bulls loose forward, and former Junior Bok captain, has decided not to renew his contract with the Bulls. CEO of the Bulls, Barend van Graan, admitted, that they simply couldn’t match the Munster offer.
The forgotten man of the Cheetahs is back!
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee has revealed that line out specialist Andries Bekker is in line to return to Super Rugby against the Lions at the end of the month.
Beeld and Die Burger report that Handre Pollard has indeed been snaffled up by the Bulls.
In addition, the contract was signed last year already!
So much for reports which intimated that his parents were still negotiating with various Unions.
This was indeed good succession planning by the Bulls, but where does it leave players like Louis Fouché, Tony Jantjies and Lionel Cronje?
England Captain Chris Robshaw has been ruled out of England’s final Test match against South Africa in Port Elizabeth with a broken thumb.
Western Province and Stormers fullback Joe Pietersen has been called up to the Springbok squad in Port Elizabeth as cover for Frans Steyn who will miss the third and final Test against England.
Willem Alberts remains a doubtful starter for Saturday’s final test against England but the Springbok training session at Grey’s High on Monday brought some much needed tidings of joy for coach Heyneke Meyer.
Lock Juandre Kruger was assumed to be in doubt for the Nelson Mandela Stadium game here in Port Elizabeth after being carried off the field during the second test in Johannesburg with what was assumed to be a serious neck injury.
The Springboks have lost Cheetahs prop Coenie Oosthuizen for the rest of the June International series against England due to injury.
Former Welsh star winger Shane Williams had previously announced his retirement from rugby. It was widely expected that his recent game for The Barbarians against would be his last.
Tongan international and Chiefs Super Rugby prop Sona Taumalolo has signed a a three-and-a-half-year deal to join French Top 14 Rugby club Perpignan.
Amidst the recent hype about players leaving the Cheetahs, and some people speculating about the reasons for it, Naka has just gone about his business, and bolstered his ranks. Loose forwards Lappies Labuschagne, and 7’s specialist Boom Prinsloo have both signed until the end of 2014. Both Boom and Lappies played with great success in last years Currie Cup, and together with Heinrich Brussow, Phillip van der Walt and hopefully Juan Smith, can again form a formidable loose trio.
Cape Town – The Stormers have recalled versatile loose forward Pieter Louw to help alleviate their current injury crisis in the back row.
Springboks utility back Frans Steyn has signed a three year deal with the Sharks after his contract with Racing Metro came to an end.
Kurtley Beale has been ruled out of the Wallabies June Tests and Super Rugby until July after having surgery to clean out floating cartilage from his left shoulder joint.
A lot has been written, and debated about the Cheetahs progress, or perceived lack thereof. I took a cue from Naka Drotske, who professed his frustration, at losing players to richer overseas clubs. Many people have no idea of the unique challenges that face the Cheetahs. In this article I hope to give an insight and give our detractors a better understanding of the challenges faced by the Cheetahs Super Rugby Franchise.
Sydney – Waratahs skipper Rocky Elsom has been cut from the Wallabies by coach Robbie Deans less than a year after being stripped of the national captaincy.
Wellington – Dumped Samoa captain Mahonri Schwalger has called for the Pacific nation’s prime minister to be replaced as chairperson of the Samoa Rugby Union (SRU) and hit out at “arrogant” rugby administrators.
Wallabies and Western Force fullback and wing Cameron Shepherd has agreed to join Aviva Premiership Rugby club Northampton Saints.
Cheetahs lock George Earle will head to the Scarlets in July in the hope of representing Wales at the 2015 World Cup.
A succession of head injuries have cast a shadow over the playing future of the Blues’ French-bound utility back Benson Stanley.