Adriaan Strauss

Adriaan Strauss who earlier this week was seen wearing a Cheetah jersey at the unveiling of the new look kit.

In a somewhat confusing week for Adriaan Strauss fans, the big question is, did he or didn’t he? Conflicting reports indicate that he signed for the Bulls, and others that he will be remaining at the Cheetahs.

Earlier this week, at the unveiling of the new Blue Bulls and Free State Cheetahs jerseys for the 2014 Currie Cup, Strauss was the poster boy for the Cheetahs.

What I find strange though, is a specific question asked to him during a Q & A session. Have a look at question No. 8 posed to him and decide whether that was already a dead giveaway.

It has now been reported today that the Bulls have landed a major coup with the signing of Cheetahs and Springbok hooker Adriaan Strauss.

Strauss has according to reports signed for the Blue Bulls from next season onwards.

Exact details of the length of his stay in Pretoria are yet to be confirmed.

Strauss, 28, was schooled at Grey College in Bloemfontein, but started his professional career at the Bulls, where he played eight Super Rugby matches.

Strauss returned to Free State in 2007 and has made 95 Super Rugby appearances to date.

Strauss also has 34 Test caps for the Springboks.

 

Q&A with Adriaan Strauss of the Toyota Free State Cheetahs:

1. Who will be your biggest rivals in the Currie Cup, or is it the most open tournament of recent years?

  • Answer: The Currie Cup is a competition that means a lot to all South African Unions because of its history. Therefore you can expect a tough game every single week and there is no such thing as an easy, or easier game.

 

2. The Cheetahs experienced poor results in Super Rugby this season – have lessons been learnt and what will change going into the Currie Cup?

  • Answer: We are definitely disappointed with the results. But I don’t doubt our ability as a union or as a group. A good lesson learnt is that you can’t just score tries to win games, you need to defend equally well and that is where we lacked this year. A lot of tries against us were a result of turnovers from our attacking play.

 

3. Tell us a bit about Naka Drotske, his strengths as a coach and how he has impacted on your performances in the team?

  • Answer: Naka is a very even tempered person and that really helps when you are in an environment where there are so many highs and lows. Having been a player he understands the emotions of the group and is able to bring out the best in players, especially youngsters.

 

4. There is sometimes talk about South Africa needing to agree on a playing style, how do you feel about that statement given the Bulls, Stormers, Sharks and Cheetahs all seem to have such different ways of playing rugby?

  • Answer: I don’t think it is necessary to conform everyone to the same style of playing, it is thanks to the diversity of the Unions that South Africa always manages to produce unique players.

 

5. What do you enjoy most about the Cheetahs way?

  • Answer: When the Cheetahs get going with the attacking mindset, it is fun being on the field. Anything can happen.

 

6. Seven Cheetahs players (Adriaan Strauss, Cornal Hendricks, Willie le Roux, Teboho Mohoje, Coenie Oosthuizen, Trevor Nyakane and Lood de Jager) were in the 23 man Bok squad to face Scotland in PE – a good sign for the quality and depth of your Curie Cup squad?

  • Answer: I am very proud of all the youngsters getting the opportunity to play for the Boks, and every one of them did an exceptional job.

 

7. You have been an essential part of the Springbok set up since 2012 – your thoughts on where the national team is headed?

  • Answer: There is a very positive culture and vision in the camp. With the high standards that are set, I believe the Boks will be successful.

 

8. Your thoughts on the new PUMA Currie Cup kit – relieved at no pink camo or spots?

  • Answer: PUMA is an awesome sponsor to have and the kit is amazing. The Currie Cup jersey is something special!

 

9. Which boots do you play in and why do you chose to play in those particular boots?

  • Answer: I play with PUMA evoSPEED boots – the perfect combination for me as a hooker: I can run around a bit but also have great grip at scrum time.

7 Responses to Currie Cup: Player Movements – Strauss, has he or hasn’t he signed with the Blue Bulls?

  • 1

    Jeez, who came up with these questions?

  • 2

    Is ther a bettr answer:

    In a statement on the Free State Cheetahs website on Friday, the Board of Directors of the Bloemfontein union said:

    Despite every effort, the Free State Cheetahs (Pty) Ltd. has regretfully been unable to come to terms with Adriaan Strauss on the renewal of his contract.

    Initial negotiations over financial terms were met. However, other factors precluded the Free State Cheetahs from coming to an agreement with the player.

    We would like to acknowledge his tremendous service to Free State Cheetahs rugby and wish him the very best in his future endeavours.

  • 3

    2 @ dWeePer:
    I suppose that statement settles the question then.
    They could have saved a lot of time and trouble if they posted that earlier though 😀

  • 4

    Ek sien Strauss will ook vir n slag Super Rugby wen.

  • 5

    cheers ou atter, ek verstaan, sewe jaar van snotske as coach sal die lojaalste speler gatvol maak

  • 6

    @ smallies:
    Ek is jammer hy waai, alhoewel hy bekend is met SnorCity en alles, weet ek nie of hy lekker gaan pas in n Blou trui nie.
    Cheetahs verloor n kolos van n speler, voorwaar, ek vermoed hy gaan swaar weg uit die Staat.

  • 7

    Strauss het die Bulle in 2005 en 2006 in Curriebeker- en Superrugby verteenwoordig, maar wou vanweë sakebelange in Bloemfontein nie graag skuif nie.

    Hy was glo selfs bereid om vir duisende rande per maand minder vir die Cheetahs te speel.

    Sy skuif kan nou reuse-gevolge vir die Cheetahs inhou. Strauss is ’n bekende handelsmerk in Suid-Afrikaanse rugby, word byna as die gesig van Cheetahs-rugby beskou en is ’n rolmodel vir jonges.

    Hy is ’n invloedryke speler wat spanmaats beïnvloed om te bly óf te skuif.

    Die Cheetahs het reeds die afgelope tyd sterre soos die losskakel Johan Goosen (Racing Metro) en agtsteman Philip van der Walt (Biarritz) verloor – terwyl die flank Lappies Labuschagné (Bulle) en stut Trevor Nyakane (Bulle) ná die Curriebeker-reeks ook koers sal kies.

    Die Cheetahs, wat nou onder hewige kritiek deurloop nadat hulle in 2013 die enigste Suid-Afrikaanse span was wat in die halfeindstryde van die Super- en Curriebeker-reekse gespeel het en hoë verwagtinge dus vanjaar van hulle gekoester is, het wel die afgelope tyd daarin geslaag om sterre soos die vleuel Cornal Hendricks en stut Coenie Oosthuizen se kontrakte te verleng. Die slot Lood de Jager en heelagter Willie le Roux bly ook tot einde 2015 Cheetahs.

    Aanwinste soos die veelsydige agterspeler Joe Pietersen (Biarritz), vleuel Sergeal Petersen (OP-Kings), veelsydige agterspeler Coenie van Wyk (Leeus/Pumas) en agtsteman Willie Britz (Leeus) sal volgende jaar Super-rugby vir die Cheetahs speel van die beste Adriaan!

    (Vandag se Rapport:)

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