Former Sharks prop Deon Carstens will play Super Rugby for the Stormers in 2012 after his English Rugby Club Saracens agreed to release him to Western Province in Cape Town.
Cape Town born Carstens can play on either side of the scrum but prefers to play at loosehead.
Saracens Director of Rugby Mark McCall said of the move, “We have a partnership with Western Province rugby, and any partnership must work both ways.”
“The Stormers urgently need a top class international loosehead prop for the forthcoming Super Rugby season, the move makes sense for the player and so we have agreed to the release.”
“Deon has made a magnificent impact at Saracens over the past 18 months, and his departure presents us with some difficult mid-season challenges, but we wish him, his wife and young daughter all the best in Cape Town. Since this is the right decision for Deon and his family, it must be the right decision for us.”
Deon Carstens said: “I am very sad to be leaving Saracens, but am massively looking forward to the opportunity in Cape Town.”
“I am also very grateful to Saracens for their pragmatic approach to this situation; this is special club – it’s run in a different way to any other rugby club in my experience, and it is undoubtedly the right way.”
And just in time too, wheel chair training starts this week.
But, wait, more breaking news – The Heineken Cup is coming to Cape Town. Saracans vs. Biarritz (yes, we just can’t get rid of Smitty). But the match is going to be played at Cape Town Stadium, not Newlands. Hmmmm, something going on there, reports today of the Cape Town Stadium re-negotiatng with WPRU for a move to the new stadium. It is reportedly going to cost R180 mil. to lure them over, plus massive costs to the stadium in renovations/upgrades (one of the sticking points is that Newlands has 300 boxes, CT Stadium only 100). All these costs are going to have to come from somewhere – our pockets, so expect some hikes in ticket prices if rugby does move there. I think it may make it out of reach of most people, but we will just have to see
Sorry, date of the match is Jan 14
On another note, just read this on the wires – “Mayor of Denver, Michael Hancock, has been pressuring members of the Occupy Denver movement to pick a leader, “to deal with City and State officials.” So the protesters, in the most benign shove-it gesture imaginable, elected a three-and-a-half-year-old border collie. Named Shelby.” Some ideas for the next Bok coach perhaps?
@ Just For Kicks:
Bwahahaha. Let’s get a Dassie to coach the Boks. Should be benign enough!
The main reason (I think) that the Lions didn’t move to FNB Stadium is also to do with hospitality costs.
More expensive suites, suppliers for food and beverages that HAVE to be used and then charge exhorbitant prices, location (Soweto doesn’t suit everyone) for suite holders etc.
We have to remember that suite holders often sign and pay for up front for terms as long as 3 – 5 years. It has to be a financial consideration.
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