Currie Cup
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.
Springbok and Toyota Cheetahs flank Heinrich Brüssow has joined the growing exodus of players out of South Africa after signing a contract to further his career in Japan.
Springboks and Sharks back Meyer Bosman has agreed to leave the Durban based Super Rugby franchise and join Stade Francais in the Top14.
Former Saracens boss Brendan Venter will take up the position as Director of Rugby at the Sharks from the beginning of the Currie Cup season.
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.
Key DHL Stormers forwards Eben Etzebeth, Deon Fourie, De Kock Steenkamp and Rynhardt Elstadt have extended their playing contracts with Western Province Rugby.
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.
This year, the International Rugby Board has introduced 11 law trials that will be implemented from the start of the 2013 season.
Springbok and Bulls flyhalf Morné Steyn says he has not received a formal offer from Top 14 club Stade Francais.
It seems as if the Bulls and Springbok flyhalf has made a deal to leave South Africa after Super Rugby to continue his career in France.
Morne van der Merwe, ex WP and Stormers prop, has only days to live.
He was diagnosed with a brain tumor two years ago and his wife, Cindy, is hurriedly putting together mementoes of his life to keep for the couple.s two young boys.
As I was perusing Facebook, I came across the comment below.
While I applaud the Golden Lions Rugby Union (GLRU) for appointing a businessman as new pemanent CEO, one who has played club rugby, and is involved in school rugby, I do feel for the outgoing Acting CEO, Ruben Moggee. He took over from Manie Reynecke under very trying circumstances, and along with Kevin De Klerk, had to oversee many crises that came to head during his tenure. One only has think of the GUMA TAC debacle, the Pumas and Leopards suing the union for unpaid fees and the biggest humiliation of them all, being kicked out of Super Rugby.
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.
The Vodacom Bulls on Tuesday confirmed the appointment of Victor Matfield as their new Forwards and Attack Coach for the 2013 Vodacom Super Rugby season, while also naming Derick Hougaard as a skills and kicking coach and Handrè Pollard as part of their extended playing squad for the new season.
The Cheetahs are doing everything within their powers to try and stop loose forward Juan Smith from moving to France.
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.