2010 SA Currie Cup Competition

[Blue]

Where can the Lions get Tight 5 depth? Paarl can you see forwards contenders they could pull in for the Super 15?

 

[PaarlBok]

Where can the Lions get Tight 5 depth? Paarl can you see forwards contenders they could pull in for the Super 15?

Think the Lions Tight 5 have come a distance. Mitch discover a few youngsters like Johan Snyman (played NPC for HB), George Earle and Martin Bezuidenhout (x Maties) and the Pumas with a tight five including Ronnie Uys, Hannes Franklin and Ashley Buys a farken big fatty unit, add in Os van der Walt and Gavin Williamson from the Lui Perde and he sure have a lot to work with.

Its not the big names that impress that much at the Lions, but more this youngsters coming though now.

 

[Hartman]

Ronnie Uys is the big fatty unit isn't he, or is Buys even bigger?!

 

[PaarlBok]

Ronnie Uys is the big fatty unit isn't he, or is Buys even bigger?!

Ronnie Uys played two years ago for the Tin Ears S14.

 

[PaarlBok]

Myself worried about the future in our CC

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/CurrieCup/SARU-Currie-Cup-top-priority-20100915

The Absa Currie Cup remains the top priority for the South African Rugby Union and it will never be allowed to be “watered-down” by any other competition.
This is the message from the chairperson of SARU’s Executive Committee, Dr Jan Marais, who also rejected claims in some quarters that SARU was killing off the Currie Cup in a deal that only favoured Australia.

Marais said that despite the impressive financial deal that was done with Newscorp, Currie Cup rugby - the oldest domestic competition in world rugby – remained the crown jewel for South African rugby.

“For those people who think it is all about money, if you compare what we receive from SANZAR to the income from the television rights for the Currie Cup, the Currie Cup brings in 87.5% in comparison to the SANZAR money. The Currie Cup is always a priority because the SANZAR money is for Super rugby and the Tri-Nations,” Dr Marais said.

“The season has been extended for the Super 15 from next year, but we will still have a top class Currie Cup on the go.

Traditionally the Currie Cup has been played while the Tri-Nations is on and the Boks have returned later. This won’t change under the new format.”

Dr Marais went further to explain that the Super 15 would benefit South African rugby because of the increased local derbies.

“In terms of viewership and attendance figures, we have traditionally had more fans at the derbies than at games against overseas teams. The fact that we now have a double round of these are good for the game as a whole,” Dr Marais explained.

“Taking it further, we will be playing our rugby in South Africa most of the time and teams will only have to go overseas for four weeks. That is also better as it is less than the teams travelled in this year’s Super 14 competition.”

While the Currie Cup would still remain the premier competition in SA rugby, the format might change.

“We are looking at a few possibilities at the moment, and these will have to be debated by the unions themselves as to what the best would be for the competition.”

While it may see that Australia are the real winners in this deal, by expanding their player base and extending their season perfectly as they have no domestic season to compete with, Dr Marais rejected this as well.

“The deal will benefit all of us. We get the same share of the money as the other two partners and our players get top class competition. The benefits are the same for all three partners.”

 

[Blue]

Paarl I think they have to change it. The Super 15 is set in stone. They have no choice now. Let's see what they come up with.

 

[PaarlBok]

We heading into the final strechts now

Round11

SARugby.net
[quote title=Quote:]The Vodacom Blue Bulls will be faced with the difficult task of taming the resurgent Xerox Lions who are enjoying a five-match winning streak in the Absa Currie Cup when these sides meet up at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday at 17h05.
The defending champions must topple their Johannesburg opponents to keep their 2010 title defence on track. The hosts are currently in fifth position on the log with 29 points and are one point behind their Gauteng neighbours.

Consistency has been one the major problems for Frans Ludeke’s troops this season as they have won only two of their last five games in the competition. Both victories came at Loftus Versfeld – against The Sharks (40-34) and the GWK Griquas (39-38).

The Xerox Lions on the other hand have been in a rampant mood lately. They last tasted defeat during week five’s action when they suffered a 48-19 loss to The Sharks in Durban.

Since then, the Johannesburg franchise has claimed the scalps of fellow semi-final contenders – Vodacom Free State Cheetahs (30-26), Vodacom Western Province (48-46) and GWK Griquas (40-29). They also beat the Barloworld Toyota Pumas (33-30) and the Platinum Leopards (45-22).

Victory in Pretoria for the Xerox Lions will further cement their chances of competing in next month’s Absa Currie Cup semi-finals while defeat for the Vodacom Blue Bulls, which would be their sixth of the season, would leave them with the task of then having to win all their remaining matches in the competition if they are to retain the coveted Absa Currie Cup.

The Vodacom Free State Cheetahs will also have the chance of strengthening their bid of hosting an Absa Currie Cup Premier Division semi-final in October when they travel to Durban for their crucial clash against The Sharks on Saturday at 15h00.

Naka Drotske’s men, who defeated the Vodacom Blue Bulls (20-14) in Bloemfontein last Saturday, are currently in third position on the log with 32 points. They are still 10 points behind their Durban opponents.

Victory for the Vodacom Free State Cheetahs on Saturday at The Absa Stadium Durban would not only close the gap between themselves and The Sharks, but it could also see them leapfrog Vodacom WP (33) who are in second position.

The Sharks on the other hand have been impressive in Durban during the 2010 Absa Currie Cup. They have recorded five home victories this season – against GWK Griquas (48-30), Vodacom Western Province (27-16), Xerox Lions (48-19), Vodacom Blue Bulls (34-28) and the Barloworld Toyota Pumas (27-17).

The Sharks have only conceded two home defeats during the last two seasons in the Absa Currie Cup. However, one of those was against the Vodacom Free State Cheetahs during last year’s Absa Currie Cup Premier Division semi-final.

The Vodacom Free State Cheetahs is the one side that has regularly toppled The Sharks in Durban. They have won four out of their last six games played at The Absa Stadium Durban since 2005.

Meanwhile, the Barloworld Toyota Pumas will be hoping to emulate their last experience at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit when they host Vodacom Western Province on Friday at 19h10.

The hosts caused one of the season’s big upsets when they edged the Vodacom Blue Bulls by 22-21 victory in week eight. Sadly for the hosts, their only other victories in the Premier Division this season has been against the Platinum Leopards (twice) – the only side in the competition yet to secure a win.

Matters won’t get any easier for the Barloworld Toyota Pumas when they take on a Vodacom Western Province outfit which will include Springboks such as Francois Louw, Jean de Villiers, Juan de Jongh and Gio Aplon, who recently signed a three year deal with WP.

Province has also not conceded a defeat against the Barloworld Toyota Pumas during their last four games since 2005. The Cape side has notched up seven victories during this season’s competition and will be aiming to secure their eighth, to keep their aspirations of a home semi-final at Newlands alive.

In the other Absa Currie Cup match on Friday evening, the GWK Griquas will have to achieve maximum points from their clash against the Platinum Leopards to keep their chances of qualification for next month’s semi-final alive.

The Kimberley side last tasted victory in week six when they defeated the Barloworld Toyota Pumas (58-25) in Kimberley. Since then they conceded defeats to the Vodacom Blue Bulls (39-38), The Sharks (48-30), Vodacom Free State Cheetahs (33-28) and the Xerox Lions (40-29).

The GWK Griquas are in sixth position on the Absa Currie Cup with 25 points, five behind the fourth-placed Xerox Lions. The Platinum Leopards on the other hand will once again be desperate to claim their first win of the season as they are the only side in this year’s Premier or First Division who are yet to record a victory.

Absa Under-21 Championship (A) fixtures:

Friday: Boland Cavaliers v Vodacom Western Province (14h30) at Boland Stadium
Saturday: The Sharks v Free State Cheetahs (12h50) at The Absa Stadium Durban

Absa Under-19 Championship (A) fixtures:

Saturday: The Sharks v Free State Cheetahs (11h00) at The Absa Stadium Durban
Vodacom Blue Bulls v Xerox Lions (12h50) at Loftus Versfeld
Vodacom WP v Griffons (14h45) at Groote Schuur, Rondebosch

[/quote]

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17:
Griquas v Leopards, Kimberley - 19:00

Griquas:
Riaan Viljoen; Rocco Jansen, Wilmaure Louw, Barry Geel, Bjorn Basson; Naas Olivier, Sarel Pretorius; Burger Schoeman, Justin Downey, Biscuit van Deventer, Cecil Kemp, MB Lusaseni, Jean Botha, Ryno Barnes, Steph Roberts. Reserwes: Simon Westraadt, Jacobie Adriaanse, Edwin Hewitt, Davon Raubenheimer, Marnus Hugo, Jean Stemmet, Rudi Vogt.

Leopards:
15 Danie Dames, 14 Deon Scholtz, 13 Cornelius Rautenbach, 12 Walter Venter, 11 Dumisani Matyeshana, 10 Clayton Durand, 9 Tiaan Dorfling, 8 Riaan Swanepoel (captain), 7 Reginald Kember, 6 Christo van Niekerk, 5 Brad Mockford, 4 Anthonie Gronum, 3 Barend van der Walt, 2 Marthinus van der Westhuizen, 1 Bennie Uys

Replacements: 16 JC Oberholzer, 17 Johan Coetzee, 18 Edrich Linde, 19 Victor Joubert, 20 Charlie King, 21 Cecil Dumond, 22 Jovan Bowles

Pumas v Western Province, Witbank - 19:10

Pumas:
15. Johan Jackson, 14. Conrad Marais, 13. Shaun Venter, 12. Ricardo Croy, 11. Allister Kettledas, 10. Elgar Watts, 8. Christo le Roux, 7. Jaco Bouwer, 6. Corne Steenkamp, 5. Eduan Van Der Walt, 4. Andries Kruger, 3. Ashley Buys, 2. Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1. Ronnie Uys

Replacements: 16. Hannes Franklin, 17. De-Jay Terblanche, 18. Dawie Steyn, 19. Willem Jacob Serfontein, 20. Juan Visser, 21. Ashwin Scott, 22. Vainon Willis

Western Province:
15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 JJ Engelbrecht, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Gio Aplon, 10 Willem de Waal, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Pieter Louw, 5 Anton van Zyl (c), 4 Adriaan Fondse, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Deon Fourie, 1 Wicus Blaauw.
Subs: 16 Hanyani Shimange, 17 JC Kritzinger, 18 De Kock Steenkamp, 19 Nick Koster, 20 Conrad Hoffmann, 21 Gary van Aswegen, 22 Paul Bosch

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18:

Sharks v Free State Cheetahs, Durban - 15:00

Sharks:
15. Louis Ludik, 14. Odwa Ndungane, 13. Stefan Terblanche (captain), 12. Andries Strauss, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Patrick Lambie, 9. Charl McLeod, 8. Ryan Kankowski, 7. Willem Alberts, 6. Keegan Daniel, 5. Alistair Hargreaves, 4. Steven Sykes, 3. Eugene van Staden, 2. Craig Burden, 1. Patric Cilliers.

Replacements: 16. Kyle Cooper, 17. Wiehahn Herbst, 18. Michael Rhodes, 19. Jacques Botes, 20. Rory Kockott, 21. Andre Pretorius, 22. Riaan Swanepoel.

Free State Cheetahs:
15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Philip Snyman, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Louis Strydom, 9 Tewis De Bruyn, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 Philip Van der Walt, 6 Hendro Scholtz, 5 David de Villiers, 4 Francois Uys, 3 Kobus Calldo, 2 Adriaan Strauss (c), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.

Replacements: 16 Skipper Badenhorst, 17 WP Nel, 18 Izak van der Westhuizen, 19 Kabamba Floors, 20 Tertius Carse, 21 Sias Ebersohn, 22 Corné Uys

Blue Bulls v Lions, Pretoria - 17:05

Blue Bulls:
15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Stefan Watermeyer, 11 Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Gerrit-Jan van Velze, 7 CJ Stander, 6 Derick Kuün (captain), 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Dean Greyling

Replacements: 16 Gary Botha, 17 Rossouw de Klerk, 18 Jaco Engels, 19 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 20 Okkie Kruger, 21 Dustin Jinka, 22 Stephan Dippenaar

Lions:

15. Jaco Taute, 14. Jannie Boshoff, 13. Waylon Murray, 12. Doppies la Grange, 11. Michael Killian, 10. Elton Jantjies, 9. Jano Vermaak, 8. Warren Whiteley, 7. Josh Strauss, 6. Derick Minnie, 5. Franco van der Merwe (captain), 4. George Earle, 3. Ross Geldenhuys, 2.Martin Bezuidenhout, 1. JC Janse van Rensburg


Replacements: 16. Edgar Marutlulle, 17. Wayne Swart, 18. Johan Snyman, 19. Wikus van Heerden, 20. JP Joubert, 21. Burton Francis, 22. Marius Delport

 

[PaarlBok]

The Vodacom WP u21 team for Saturday´s game is as follows:

15. Martin Du Toit 14. Danie Poolman 13. Johan Sadie 12. Berton Klaasen 11. Tythan Adams 10. Sam Lane 9. Nicholas Groom 8. Tertius Daniller (C) 7. Yaya Hartzenberg 6. Helmut Lehman 5. Reniel Hugo 4. Stephan Greeff 3. Ruan Smith 2. Albe De Swardt 1. Alistair Vermaak

Reserves:
16. Sidney Tobias 17. JP Smith 18. Quinn Roux 19. Grant Hattingh 20. Louis Schreuder 21. Wimpie Van Der Walt 22. Kurt Coleman

 

[PaarlBok]

Other excellent news for WP is that they have poached two excellent midfielders (Howard and William Small-Smith) for next year to their acamedy,

Look like the SA schools boys heading to
Sharks
Dwayne Kelly (Westville) - Sharks
Guy Alexander (Hilton) - Sharks
Emil Schwarz (Hilton) - Sharks
Patrick Howard (Michaelhouse) (WP)
Kagiso Segole (Kearsney) - Sharks

Tin Ears
Neil Jordaan (Grey Bloem) - Sharks
Paul Jordaan (Grey Bloem)- Sharks
Johan Goosen (Grey Bloem)- FS Cheetahs
Anrich Bitzi (Grey Bloem) - FS Cheetahs
William Small-Smith (Grey Bloem) - WP , Blitzbokke

WP
Craig Barry (Paul Roos) - WP, Blitzbokke
Tshotsho Mbovane (Paul Roos) - WP, Blitzbokke
Jody Reyneke (Tygerberg) - WP
Gavin Hauptfleisch (Paarl Boishaai) - Sharks
Steven Kitshoff (Paul Roos) - WP
Willie Viljoen (Paarl Gym) Cheetahs
EP
Shane Gates (Muir) - EP Kings

Border
Andile Jho (Dale) - Blue Bulls
Allan Dell (Dale) - Sharks

Pumas
Dillon Smit - Sharks

Brutes
Gerbrand Grobler (Affies) WP

The SA U18 team that beat England, France and Namibia earlier this year
SA Under-18 HP: Craig Barry, Patrick Howard, William Small-Smith, Andile Jho, Siviwe Soyiswaphi, Johan Goosen, Kevin Luiters, Khaya Majola, Fabian Booysen, Wian Liebenberg, Ruan Botha, Ruan Venter, Allan Dell, Justin van Wyk, Steven Kitshoff

Bolded WP bounds.

SA Schoolboy kids playing in the CC U19 tournament on the weekend:
Johan Goosen (Tin Ears) , Jody Reyneke, Kobus van Wyk (WP), Tone Jantjies (the Lions ones boetie) , Schalk van Heeverden (Moaners laaitie, Wikus boetie) Brutes, Ruan Venter (Lions), Stefan Ungerer, Alwyn Janse van Vuuren (Sharks)

 

[Blue]

Paarl what sort of contracts do they get?

Just saw the Bulls Cheetahs game now. Bloody great rugby. Ball in hand. Ferocious defense. Is PdV watching? The Currie Cup teams are showing the way we should be playing.

PS How good is Francois Hougaard!?

 

[PaarlBok]

Paarl what sort of contracts do they get?

Just saw the Bulls Cheetahs game now. Bloody great rugby. Ball in hand. Ferocious defense. Is PdV watching? The Currie Cup teams are showing the way we should be playing.

PS How good is Francois Hougaard!?

They first get into the provinces academy for the first part of the year. Value R80,000 at WP. (Thats what it cost for the not so lucky ones), then get contracted before the rugby season starts, this depend on the catagory they are rated. Small-Smith, Barry and Mbovane are lucky , have been contracted by the SA 7s aswell.

Hougaards vs Vermaak will be huge this weekend.

 

[PaarlBok]

Some great rugby over the weekend. WP totally bashing the Pumas in Nelspruit. Hell when the WP backline get their act together they can dish up some real magic. Said from the first day when Jean returned he should have started in the CC to get him going. Saturday he and Juan de Jongh and Muskiet produced some magic. When you give Juan and Muskiet a bit of space they'll punish any oppo and Juan with his stepping made those Pumas look like falling over their feet and Muskiet sure back to his very best in the WP jersey. Duanne Vermeulen sure stake a claim again and the WP fatties sure did their bit against a very strong Puma tight 5. WP winning 62-10.

The Tin Ears just wasnt up to the Sharks in this one and looked a bit out of gas after their Brute surprise.

Then the Lions show their real Mitchell balls against the Brutes. They sure gave it their best shot and the Brutes look relief when the end whistle went. MOTM Minnie had a huge game and another physical hard as rock SA young flanker coming through. Wikus van Heerden also had a big game. The Brutes got away with this one when Wikus was yellowed for some stupid offence.

Thought Andrew Kees had a good game with the whistle. He was better then the qoutas I saw in the other matches and at least had a straigh line at the breakdowns rulings. Wish the qouta refs can take a leave out of his book and make them heard at the breakdowns , so the players know what to expect.

SARugby.net

ABSA CURRIE CUP REVIEW – WEEK 11 Posted: 19 September 2010

Six teams are still jostling for semifinal places in the 2010 Absa Currie Cup as the Premier Division competition enters its final three weeks of league fixtures.
The Vodacom Blue Bulls resurrected their title defence at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday evening following their 24-21 victory over the Xerox Lions. The win for the defending champions ensured that they ended week 11 in third position on the log. They are now only five points (one bonus point victory) away from the second-placed Vodacom Western Province who are on 38.

The Sharks moved one step closer to finishing the league phase of the Absa Currie Cup Premier Division in pole position after they ran in four tries and secured maximum points from their clash against the Vodacom Free State Cheetahs (30-16) in Durban on Saturday.

The Durban side is eight points clear of Vodacom WP who also kept their aspirations alive of securing a home semifinal when they outclassed the Barloworld Toyota Pumas 62-10 in Nelspruit on Friday evening.

In Kimberley the GWK Griquas also kept their chances of qualifying for next month’s playoffs alive after they handed the Platinum Leopards (29-20) their 11 consecutive defeat in the competition on Friday.

The Kimberley side failed to flatter, but still managed to score four tries and achieve maximum points from their clash against the only side in the competition who has yet to win a game this season. The GWK Griquas are in sixth position on the Absa Currie Cup log with 30 points and are only two behind the fourth-placed Vodacom Free State Cheetahs.

The Vodacom Free State Cheetahs were relegated to fourth position after they failed to bag any points from their trip to The Absa Stadium Durban on Saturday. The Bloemfontein side only scored one try which was added by lock Francois Uys, while The Sharks achieved maximum points from this fixture for scoring four tries.

Rory Kockott, Odwa Ndungane, Willem Alberts and Charl McLeod all added five-pointers for the hosts while flyhalf Patrick Lambie who is currently the leading points’ scorer in this season’s competition (152), kicked two penalties and two conversions.

The Xerox Lions who conceded a 24-21 defeat to the Vodacom Blue Bulls ended week 11 outside the top four and finished the round in fifth position. Both sides scored two tries in this fixture.

Vodacom Blue Bulls centre Stefan Watermeyer and No 8 Gerrit Jan van Velze were the try-scorers for the hosts while centres Doppies le Grange and Waylon Murray added five-pointers for the Johannesburg side.

Flyhalf Jacques-Louis Potgieter kicked four penalties and converted one try for the defending champions while former SA Under-20 pivot Elton Jantjies kicked three penalties and one conversion for the Xerox Lions.

Vodacom WP were in rampant mood in Nelspruit and scored eight tries against the Barloworld Toyota Pumas at the Mbombela Stadium.

Winger Gio Aplon and flanker Francois Louw each scored a brace while centres Juan de Jongh and Jean de Villiers, winger JJ Engelbrecht and substitute centre Paul Bosch added tries for their side.

Flyhalf William de Waal kicked five conversions and two penalties while Vodacom WP Under-21 pivot Gary van Aswegen also converted three tries.

Meanwhile in Kimberley GWK Griquas fullback Riaan Viljoen scored two tries as his side achieved maximum points against the struggling Platinum Leopards. The hosts’ other tries were scored by Johan van Deventer and Justin Downey.

GWK Griquas flyhalf and captain Naas Olivier who is currently the third highest points’ scorer in the 2010 competition kicked three conversions and one penalty.

In the Absa Under-21 Championship, Vodacom Western Province were in rampant mood in Wellington as they comprehensively defeated the Boland Cavaliers 111-0 in this Group A clash on Friday.

There were also victories for the Vodacom Blue Bulls who defeated the Xerox Lions 32-21, and for The Sharks who outclassed their Free State opponents 51-25 in Durban on Saturday.

In the Absa Under-19 Championship, the Vodacom Blue Bulls maintained their winnings in the Group A section after they comfortably defeated the Xerox Lions 56-27 at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

The Sharks secured a 37-28 victory over the Free State Cheetahs at The Absa Stadium Durban while Vodacom WP and the Griffons played out a 7-7 draw in Rondebosch on Saturday.

 

[Blue]

Paarl with Pottie off to the Guppies who will be the Bulls backup flyhalf next year in Super 15?

 

[PaarlBok]

Have to be Brummer, he is waiting now all year. Also rumours of Naas Olivier and Basson moving to the Brutes. The Griquas are in money need and want to sell them off.

 

[PaarlBok]

Have to be Brummer, he is waiting now all year. Also rumours of Naas Olivier and Basson moving to the Brutes. The Griquas are in money need and want to sell them off.

Sport24

The Vodacom Blue Bulls have made a massive coup by signing Griquas and Springbok winger Bjorn Basson to join them from November 1.
While the Bulls had been after another Springbok winger, a secret trip to Kimberley on Monday by Blue Bulls High Performance manager Ian Schwartz was enough to convince both Basson, Griquas and the Cheetahs to release the winger a year early on his contract to make the move to the Vodacom Super 14 and Absa Currie Cup champions.

Schwartz wasn’t available for comment yesterday, but SuperSport.com can reveal that the Blue Bulls did pay a transfer fee to get Basson released from his contract after months of negotiations.

These were somewhat tricky as the Cheetahs paid a portion of Basson’s salary and therefore had a say in whether he could be moved or not.

Griquas CEO Arni van Rooyen confirmed to SuperSport.com that the deal had been finalised and that Basson had signed his new contract with the Bulls on Monday afternoon.

“Bjorn has signed his contract and is a Blue Bulls as from 1 November,” Van Rooyen told SuperSport.com.

“Bjorn is a very good player and the Bulls were very professional in the manner that they approached us to negotiate with him. We don’t want to lose him but rugby is a business and the decision was the best for all parties concerned. He is one of the best finishers in the country.”

Van Rooyen did confirm that a transfer fee was paid, but declined to say what the amount was.

The Blue Bulls were also looking at signing Springbok winger JP Pietersen, but it is understood that his price was three times as much as Basson and therefore they decided on the younger winger rather than Pietersen’s experience.

There was also talk earlier in the season that they were interested in rogue winger Lionel Mapoe. The Bulls approached the Cheetahs at the time with a request to negotiate for Mapoe, which was denied. They subsequently stopped pursuing Mapoe because it would be outside the SARU regulations to negotiate with him after the request was denied.

Mapoe requested a release from his contract to join the Sharks, who have apparently been paying him since he left Bloemfontein and even though he lost an arbitration case on the matter, has refused to return to Bloemfontein as he was instructed to do.

Basson will now at least give a bit of speed back to the Bulls backs, which have been lacking in this department since the departure of Bryan Habana to Cape Town at the end of last year. In the Currie Cup they have played veteran utility back Jaco van der Westhuyzen on the wing, ignoring seasoned finisher John Mametsa with mixed success.

Their Currie Cup plans also took a hammer blow earlier when Bok winger Akona Ndungane broke his leg for a second time shortly after returning to the rugby field after recovering from the first break.

Ndungane’s contract runs out at the end of the year and it will be interesting to see if the Blue Bulls do renew it after he has played so little for them over the past few seasons.

 

[PaarlBok]

Have to be Brummer, he is waiting now all year. Also rumours of Naas Olivier and Basson moving to the Brutes. The Griquas are in money need and want to sell them off.

Sport24

The Vodacom Blue Bulls have made a massive coup by signing Griquas and Springbok winger Bjorn Basson to join them from November 1.
While the Bulls had been after another Springbok winger, a secret trip to Kimberley on Monday by Blue Bulls High Performance manager Ian Schwartz was enough to convince both Basson, Griquas and the Cheetahs to release the winger a year early on his contract to make the move to the Vodacom Super 14 and Absa Currie Cup champions.

Schwartz wasn’t available for comment yesterday, but SuperSport.com can reveal that the Blue Bulls did pay a transfer fee to get Basson released from his contract after months of negotiations.

These were somewhat tricky as the Cheetahs paid a portion of Basson’s salary and therefore had a say in whether he could be moved or not.

Griquas CEO Arni van Rooyen confirmed to SuperSport.com that the deal had been finalised and that Basson had signed his new contract with the Bulls on Monday afternoon.

“Bjorn has signed his contract and is a Blue Bulls as from 1 November,” Van Rooyen told SuperSport.com.

“Bjorn is a very good player and the Bulls were very professional in the manner that they approached us to negotiate with him. We don’t want to lose him but rugby is a business and the decision was the best for all parties concerned. He is one of the best finishers in the country.”

Van Rooyen did confirm that a transfer fee was paid, but declined to say what the amount was.

The Blue Bulls were also looking at signing Springbok winger JP Pietersen, but it is understood that his price was three times as much as Basson and therefore they decided on the younger winger rather than Pietersen’s experience.

There was also talk earlier in the season that they were interested in rogue winger Lionel Mapoe. The Bulls approached the Cheetahs at the time with a request to negotiate for Mapoe, which was denied. They subsequently stopped pursuing Mapoe because it would be outside the SARU regulations to negotiate with him after the request was denied.

Mapoe requested a release from his contract to join the Sharks, who have apparently been paying him since he left Bloemfontein and even though he lost an arbitration case on the matter, has refused to return to Bloemfontein as he was instructed to do.

Basson will now at least give a bit of speed back to the Bulls backs, which have been lacking in this department since the departure of Bryan Habana to Cape Town at the end of last year. In the Currie Cup they have played veteran utility back Jaco van der Westhuyzen on the wing, ignoring seasoned finisher John Mametsa with mixed success.

Their Currie Cup plans also took a hammer blow earlier when Bok winger Akona Ndungane broke his leg for a second time shortly after returning to the rugby field after recovering from the first break.

Ndungane’s contract runs out at the end of the year and it will be interesting to see if the Blue Bulls do renew it after he has played so little for them over the past few seasons.

 

[Blue]

Have to be Brummer, he is waiting now all year. Also rumours of Naas Olivier and Basson moving to the Brutes. The Griquas are in money need and want to sell them off.

Fark the Bulls should buy Basson. That would be awesome. He has great potential.

 

[PaarlBok]

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24:

Free State Cheetahs v Pumas, Bloemfontein 19:00

Free State Cheetahs:
15. Riaan Smit, 14. Philip Snyman, 13. Robert Ebersohn, 12. Meyer Bosman, 11. Jongi Nokwe, 10. Louis Strydom, 9. Tewis De Bruyn, 8. Ashley Johnson, 7. Philip Van der Walt, 6. Hendro Scholtz, 5. David de Villiers, 4. Francois Uys, 3. WP Nel , 2. Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1. Coenie Oosthuizen

Replacements: 16. Skipper Badenhorst, 17. Kobus Calldo, 18. Izak van der Westhuizen, 19. Kabamba Floors, 20. Tertius Carse, 21. Sias Ebersohn, 22. Corn Uys

Pumas: TBA


Western Province v Griquas, Cape Town 19:10

Western Province:
15. Conrad Jantjes, 14. JJ Engelbrecht, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Jean de Villiers, 11. Gio Aplon, 10. Willem de Waal, 9. Dewaldt Duvenage, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Francois Louw, 6. Pieter Louw, 5. Anton van Zyl(captain), 4. De Kock Steenkamp, 3. Brok Harris, 2. Deon Fourie and 1. Wicus Blaauw.

Replacements: 16. Hanyani Shimange, 17. JC Kritzinger, 18. Adriaan Fondse, 19. Nick Kster, 20. Conrad Hoffmann, 21. Gary van Aswegen and 22. Paul Bosch.

Griquas:
15. Riaan Viljoen, 14. Rocco Jansen, 13. Wilmaure Louw, 12. Barry Geel, 11. Bjorn Basson, 10. Naas Olivier, 9. Sarel Pretorius, 8. Burger Schoeman, 7. Davon Raubenheimer, 6. Justin Downey, 5. Cecil Kemp, 4. Edwin Hewitt, 3. Jacobie Adriaanse, 2. Ryno Barnes, 1. Jean Botha.

Replacements: 16. Simon Westraadt, 17. Steph Roberts, 18. Frikkie Spies, 19. Gerhard Human, 20. Marnus Hugo, 21. Jean Stemmet, 22. Rudi Vogt.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25:


Leopards v Blue Bulls, Potchefstroom 15:00

Leopards: TBA

Blue Bulls:
15. Zane Kirchner, 14. Gerhard van den Heever, 13. Jaco Pretorius, 12. Stefan Watermeyer, 11. Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 10. Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 9. Francois Hougaard, 8. Gerrit-Jan van Velze, 7. Juandre Kruger, 6. Derick Kuün , 5. Fudge Mabeta, 4. Flip van der Merwe, 3. Werner Kruger, 2. Gary Botha (capt), 1. Dean Greyling.

Replacements: 16. Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17. Rossouw de Klerk, 18. Jaco Engels, 19. Wilhelm Steenkamp, 20. Okkie Kruger, 21. Ruan Snyman, 22. Hayden Groepes


Lions v Sharks, Johannesburg 17:05

Lions:
15. Jaco Taute, 14. Jannie Boshoff, 13. Waylon Murray, 12. Doppies La Grange, 11. Michael Killian, 10. Elton Jantjies, 9. Jano Vermaak, 8. Joshua Strauss, 7. Wikus van Heerden, 6. Derick Minnie, 5. Franco van der Merwe (capt), 4. George Earle, 3. Ross Geldenhuys, 2. Martin Bezuidenhout, 1. JC Janse van Rensburg.

Replacements: 16. Edgar Marutlulle, 17. Wayne Swart, 18. Johan Snyman, 19. Trevor Hall, 20. JP Joubert, 21. Burton Francis, 22. Deon van Rensburg

Sharks:
15. Louis Ludik, 14. Odwa Ndungane, 13. Stefan Terblanche (capt), 12. Andries Strauss, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Patrick Lambie, 9. Charl McLeod, 8. Ryan Kankowski, 7. Willem Alberts, 6. Keegan Daniel, 5. Alistair Hargreaves, 4. Steven Sykes, 3. Eugene van Staden, 2. Craig Burden, 1. Patric Cilliers.

Replacements: 16. Kyle Cooper, 17. Wiehahn Herbst, 18. Michael Rhodes, 19. Jacques Botes, 20. Rory Kockott, 21. Andre Pretorius, 22. Riaan Swanepoel

Tomorrow the SA Club Champ finals is between Maties and Rovers from Durbs. Rovers surprisingly beats Pukke in the semi yesterday while Maties knocked over Hammies.

Long weekend and tomorrow is braai day in SA, this club finals will be a on live TV followed by the WP Griquas match.

 

[Blue]

Is Stegman broken?

 

[whatty]

So is Bakkies still banned, not that I care but just more wondering whether it is over him or still serving his ban?