Jacques Potgieter
The Waratahs used the power of the Australian dollar to kill off any hopes that the Vodacom Bulls may have had of luring utility forward Jacques Potgieter back to South Africa.
Potgieter is currently having a superb season with the Vodacom Super Rugby log leaders and has been one of the reasons Michael Cheika’s side has been doing so well, using his skills to good effect to provide more than just a traditional forward role with the Sydney-based franchise.
The Bulls had opened negotiations with Potgieter to return for next year’s Super Rugby tournament after he left them a year ago, but these were snubbed out by the Waratahs, who made a significant counter offer to keep him in Sydney.
It is understood that Potgieter wanted to return to try and make the squad for the Rugby World Cup after being in the Springbok set-up in 2012.
SuperSport
It is ironic that the Bulls want him back now that he is playing good rugby, while they let him go, ostensibly because he didn’t “fit into the culture” at Loftus Versfeld a year earlier.
The Waratahs’ counter offer was apparently almost double the cash the Bulls offered him, something they couldn’t match and now Potgieter will stay in Sydney for at least another season.
The long-haired forward confirmed the deal to supersport.com on Tuesday, saying he “missed South Africa but I have another year in Sydney to complete.”
His agent, Gert van der Merwe, said there was a chance he would come back but the power of the dollar had eventually made the decision for Potgieter.
“He certainly was looking to come back, but the deal he was offered was a good one, and it was hard to refuse,” Van der Merwe said.
Potgieter will return to South Africa after Super Rugby and will need to decide if he returns to Japan or if he looks for a local franchise to play Absa Currie Cup rugby for.
The Bulls have secured the signature of Adriaan Strauss and Lappies Labuschagne, both from the Toyota Cheetahs, for the coming season although they are likely to lose promising hooker Bongi Mbonambi at the end of the season.
He is a far better player now that he is being coached properly.
” It is understood that Potgieter wanted to return to try and make the squad for the Rugby World Cup ”
why the fark cant he do that from sydney? of all the overseas players he should be in the best position to make a springbok team?
al troos wat ek hulle kan bied is dat die bulle met 16-0 verloor het!!
o en ñ hartlike goeiemôre almal
ja
selfs aan die blou braziliane!!
brazil het een meer as die bulle gekry!!
All these okes about Brazil getting thrashed are getting too much. I just can’t take neymar……
stormersboy @ 6
@ Ashley:
Darem het “Brazil” al die beker gewen 😉
macro @ 8
ekt geweet ek gaan daarmee gecounter word, lol
@ Ashley:
haha wil net seker maak jy onthou dit!
Are the Bulls admitting that they erred when the released certain players? They also stood cap in hand before Deon Stegmann when Spies and Arno got injured.
Imagine if Heyneke didn’t manage to convince Matfield to also start playing again, then they might have had just as a serious dearth at lock.
Why would Potgieter really want to return now? He looks like he is enjoying his rugby, he has obviously learnt and refined many new skill sets at the Waratahs, he has taken his game to a whole new level.
@ nortierd:
life…love…family…friends… all pretty good reasons to consider coming back… rugby isnt EVERYTHING
and you know brumbiesboy… just imagine what real aussies must be like.
MacroBull wrote:
Especially if you play for the Bulls
Eish Steyn leaves the field after attempting a caught and bowled, hope its nt serious.
Sri Lanka 30/1
BrumbiesBoy wrote:
ah I saw you coming from a mile away 😀
MacroBull wrote:
Wait a minute…..rugby isn’t everything?
How many times were we told during the “Frans walks out on the Boks” saga that players only have a small window of opportunity to make money?
MacroBull wrote:
True…..maybe he just feels the need to actually eat a sheep for a change, he’s not homesick, he’s hungry.
@ nortierd:
haha they still make more money than I do…
Potgieter could still play currie cup?
“Potgieter will return to South Africa after Super Rugby and will need to decide if he returns to Japan or if he looks for a local franchise to play Absa Currie Cup rugby for.”
I wonder if he could be a surprise kings signing for the kerrie beker.
16 @ MacroBull: And speaking of REAL AUSSIES, thanks to Norty for this one…
“G’day mate, Aussie help line here……What’s the problem, Cobber?”
“I’m in Darwin with my Sheila and she’s been stung on the minge by a wasp, and now her p*ssy has completely closed up.”
“Bummer, mate…!!!”
“Thanks mate, I hadn’t thought of that. Bye”
@ BrumbiesBoy:
Chopper Reid is a REAL Aussie
😉
@ nortierd:
17
@ MacroBull:
19
I am skeptical about the whole story, it made no sense other than making a spin out of nothing
With the Tahs’ best lock leaving to play in Europe and with a young PI lock who isn’t sure where the ball is, more likely the Tahs took some stock by pegging Potgieter’s services for next season?
The Tahs most important component is Steve Walsh though
22 @ Hondo:
Walsh doesn’t just favor the Tah’s.
He is the ultimate “home town” ref, whether he referees in Europe, South Africa, New Zealand or Australia, be it test matches or Super Rugby
@ Hondo:
The story is absolute garbage to be honest… rugby players must get offers all the time, why is this a big deal?
The big question is, why does he feel he needs to return to south africa to make the Bok team when he plays against our best players for 18 rounds?
I wonder when the south african cricket coaches and captains will realize that mcclaren is probably our best limited overs bowler and not steyn or morkel?
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