Currie Cup
The Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd is pleased to announce that Piet van Zyl has agreed terms and will join the Vodacom Bulls on a two year contract from November 1st, 2013.
The Pretoria-born 23 year old scrumhalf made his Springbok debut in 2013 following some very good performances for his Super Rugby franchise, the Toyota Cheetahs.
JC Janse van Rensburg will ‘ride off’ into the proverbial sunset soon, but the long-standing captain is determined to leave the Lions with a perfect parting gift.
The 27-year-old uncapped Springbok prop wants to ensure he plays part in the Johannesburg-based franchise regaining their Super Rugby status.
Having captained the Lions to a 26-19 win over the Southern Kings in the first of the two promotion-relegation matches in Port Elizabeth last week, Janse van Rensburg will run out in front for the last time in the return match at Ellis Park on Saturday – before heading to French team Bayonne, where he signed a to-year deal.
Who remembers the old movie, King Solomon’s mines? Well, The Southern Kings, own Solomons… Alan Solomons, is off to dig for gold elsewhere. We’ve known about it, it has been denied, but still came to pass.
Kings Director of Rugby Alan Solomons will part ways with the Eastern Cape franchise after being appointed head coach of Edinburgh.
Springbok wing JP Pietersen has bid farewell to South Africa as he prepares to head to Japan to take up his contract with the Panasonic Wild Knights.
The Free State Cheetahs have been quick out of the blocks in preparing for the Currie Cup and beyond. Apart from the new signings Piet Lindeque, Tonderai Chavhanga and Wian du Preez, previously reported on Rugby Talk, Coach Naka Drotskè has also confirmed that Leopards tighthead, John Roy Jenkinson has also signed a two year contract with the Cheetahs.
The Cheetahs have further bolstered their backline for this year’s Currie Cup, by signing former Springbok wing Tonderai Chavanga. Incidently Chavanga also started his age group rugby with the Cheetahs, so he is also returning to his roots.
A shared vision and his high regard for John Smit as a person and a leader who breeds success and inspires people around him is what prompted Brendan Venter to take on the challenge of being the first man to fill the newly created position of Director of Rugby at the Sharks.
Venter will link up with the Sharks for the first time on Sunday at the start of a training camp that will mark the beginning of the build-up to a Currie Cup season that will see last year’s beaten finalists going into the competition with a completely revamped coaching team.
Demetri Catrakilis will almost certainly be playing Absa Currie Cup Premier Division rugby during the forthcoming domestic season, but there is still no clarity on which team he will be playing for.
The Sharks announced on Friday that Pieter-Steph du Toit has reaffirmed his commitment to the team by re-signing for a further two years.
The announcement brings to an end weeks of speculation about the 20-year-old’s future – with both the Bulls and Stormers having shown interest in his services.
Rumours doing the rounds that the Cheetahs are set to lose some of their stars have been correct. Star centre, Robert Ebersohn has signed with French Club Montpellier. He will reportedly still play in this year’s Currie Cup, before furthering his career overseas.
Brad Macleod-Henderson was on Tuesday confirmed as Sharks coach for the upcoming Currie Cup season.
Demetri Catrakilis is heading back to Cape Town to play for Western Province in this year’s Currie Cup.
Paul Anthony, who was John Smit’s rugby coach at high school, is set to join the Sharks as assistant coach for the Currie Cup, a report on the Beeld website indicates.
Anthony has coached the Blue Bulls’ under-19 team over the last few years, but is well known for spending 25 years at Pretoria Boys’ High, Smit’s Alma Mater.
All eyes may be on Vodacom Super Rugby at the moment, but the Blue Bulls’ Absa Currie Cup campaign was dealt a blow with the news that Junior Boks flyhalf Handre Pollard injured himself at practice on Tuesday.
With the Currie Cup set to start in five weeks’ time, Pollard hurt his AC joint and has been ruled out for between four to six weeks. The Bulls medical staff are hopeful that he will be ready in time for the start of the competition.
The Sharks confirmed that discussions were held today (Tuesday) between representatives of themselves and John Plumtree (‘the Parties’).
It was mutually and amicably agreed between the Parties to part ways with immediate effect.
The South African Rugby Union (SARU) announced on Tuesday that it would implement a new set of experimental Laws in all local competitions from Friday.
The Laws have been developed by the International Rugby Board (IRB) and are expected to result in more continuity in matches and reduce the risk of serious injuries.
Key features are a new scrum engagement sequence, stricter policing of the scrum feed, adjustments to judicial sanctions and strengthening of concussion protocols.
Vodacom Bulls captain Pierre Spies will be out for the rest of the 2013 rugby season after tearing a bicep muscle on Saturday while playing for the Springboks against Samoa in the Castle Lager Incoming Series.
The Western Province Rugby Union has plans to offer flyhalf Elton Jantjies and fullback Jaco Taute permanent deals.
There seems to be a lot happening at the Sharks, in front of and behind the scenes, prior to this weekend’s Super Rugby clash between the Sharks and the Blues.
Apparently John Smit said no to Jake White and Clive Woodward (Both World Cup winning coaches) but chose Brendan Venter in stead, read more below.
More news involving John Smit and outgoing coach John Plumtree suggests that the 2 are to meet to see if they can sort out diferences, the package John Plumtree is demanding and the immediate way forward, read more below too.
With Super Rugby back on the weekend, the speculation is also rife about who will play at flyhalf and in midfield, with a host of centres injured but with Butch James back. Will the flyhalf spot go to Butch or Patrick Lambie and will the other beselected at inside centre?
Rising star Pieter-Steph du Toit has become a massive signing target for provincial unions this season with no less than three Super Rugby franchises vying for his signature.
The Blue Bulls Company on Thursday confirmed the departure of scrumhalf Jano Vermaak and flanker Dewald Potgieter.
Potgieter decided not to renew his contract which expires at the end of the current Vodacom Super Rugby competition and instead will join the Yamaha Rugby Club in Japan, whilst Vermaak has asked to be released from his contract to join Toulouse in France.
The Western Force scored a major coup the the unveiling of Bulls lock Wilhelm Steenkamp as their latest signing.
Springboks and Sharks back Meyer Bosman has agreed to leave the Durban based Super Rugby franchise and join Stade Francais in the Top14.
Nick Mallett has reportedly turned down an offer from the Sharks to take over the coaching reins from John Plumtree.
Wian du Preez, is already training with the Cheetahs for the upcoming Currie Cup season. Wian has 1 Springbok cap, but it could be argued that he could have had a few more. He has been a stalwart at Munster since the end of 2009. His experience will be invaluable, as the real possibility exists that the current Cheetahs front row could be called upon for The Rugby Championship.
Other returnees, are Piet Lindeque (Tuks, Blue Bulls Vodacom Cup, and Sharks), and Pieter Jordaan (DHL Western Province).
The Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd announced on Thursday that Vodacom Bulls and Vodacom Blue Bulls hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle did not accept an offer to extend his contract past October 31st, 2013. The hooker indicated that he will instead take up an offer with the French club Toulouse.
Sharks centre Piet Lindeque is heading back to the Cheetahs to continue his rugby career in Bloemfontein.
Cheetahs and Bok pivot Johan Goosen’s knee operation to repair damage to his knee ligament was a success, and he was present at the Cheetahs training session on Monday.
The Official Media Release of the Golden Lions Rugby Union, reads as follows regarding former head coach, John Mitchell, who has been redeployed as a technical advisor to the Union, and Johan Ackermann has been appointed as head coach. I hope this long and drawn out saga has finally been resloved and the Lions can concentrate on the Lions Challenge and Currie Cup in their quest to regain Super Rugby status.
Springbok winger Bryan Habana was on Thursday named South African Rugby Player of the Year for the third time, while DHL Western Province picked up a brace of awards as their Absa Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup success was recognised at a glittering ceremony at the Cape Town International Airport. The Sharks also scored off the field, with three awards heading to Durban.
Rather than do the conventional match report, herewith the Currie Cup Highlights on video for you rugby mad individuals to feed on.
What a match it was, what a final.. and what an unexpected result! Final score was: DHL Western Province 25 / 18 The Sharks.
Well done DHL Western Province, that was impressive.
So here goes….
Sharks (12) 18 / 25 (16) WP (Final Score)
The Sharks and DHL Western Province did battle in the Currie Cup Final, Premier Division at Mr Price Kings Park, Durban at 17:00 SA Time (15:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
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EP Kings (6) 6 / 16 (0) Cheetahs (Final score)
The Eastern Province Kings and Toyota Free State Cheetahs did battle in the 2nd Currie Cup Premier Division Promotion / Relegation game at Nelson Madela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth at 19:10 SA Time (18:10 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Herewith the two teams for this weekend’s Currie Cup Premier Division Final at Mr Price Kings Park, Durban.
DHL Western Province Under-21 coach John Dobson has announced his team for Saturday’s 2012 Absa Under-21 Final against the Vodacom Blue Bulls in Durban (kick-off 14:00 SA Time).