SA pair rushed in for Sarries
14 Nov 2008
Saracens have wasted no time in using their two recruits Wikus van Heerden and Brad Barritt.
The Premiership resumes this weekend after a six-week break and the London-based club have included the South African pair on the bench for the match against Gloucester on Sunday. Van Heerden and Barritt arrived two weeks ago after the Absa Currie Cup final, with former Waratahs centre Ben Jacobs, and director of rugby Eddie Jones is pleased how the trio have settled in.
“They’ve been training very hard and all three players will add depth and quality to the squad and help move Saracens on,” Jones told the club’s official site. ”Bradley Barritt and Ben Jacobs are very talented and skilful centres, while Wikus van Heerden was the best back row in the Currie Cup and his strength and physical approach makes him ideally suited to the English game.”
Van Heerden has played at their home ground Vicarage Road before, but on that occasion for the Cats in a Super 14 warm-up.
“There was a great atmosphere inside the ground that night so I’m looking forward to the chance of running out from the home dressing room this time,” said Van Heerden. “I’ve had a good week of training, but now I’m just ready for the action to start. I’ve followed the Guinness Premiership closely and it’s a fantastic competition – one that I can’t wait to be part of.”
Other South Africans included in the team are scrumhalf Neil de Kock and tighthead Cobus Visagie.
25 Comments
14 Nov 2008, 17:26 pm
Moor dragons
14 Nov 2008, 17:28 pm
two great acquisitions for Sarries, will be fascinating to see how Barritt performs…potential British Lion material
14 Nov 2008, 17:35 pm
#2 Big Hit: Unfortunately I agree with you Big Hit, a very competent and organised player with a good rugby brain. Not sure he will ever get the credit as he is not flash but excellent player.
14 Nov 2008, 17:42 pm
Its right Wikus…time for the money.
14 Nov 2008, 17:55 pm
Great news.
2 less Poms playing rugby – the fewer the better.
14 Nov 2008, 18:14 pm
man the premiership is getting more interesting than the super14 with the influx of southern hemisphere rugby players!!
14 Nov 2008, 18:16 pm
#2 Big Hit: Would be a very, very substantial acquisition for England and Lions. Young still. Outstanding player. Better than Mike Catt.
14 Nov 2008, 19:00 pm
Sad for SA rugby. Lure of lucre…
14 Nov 2008, 19:14 pm
#7 SodaJoe: don’t think he’s better than Catt but will be interesting to see how he progresses
14 Nov 2008, 19:55 pm
And I will be cheering them on from the stands!!
14 Nov 2008, 20:41 pm
These are such valuable players – Jones has done very well indeed. And perhaps Barrit will finally get the accolades he deserves.
14 Nov 2008, 21:34 pm
Wikus left? When did that happen?
14 Nov 2008, 22:08 pm
Barritt is kak. How many times do I have to prove this to people?
14 Nov 2008, 22:20 pm
Bagel – shouldnt you be studying mate? Anyway, Britney Barrit would’ve never made Bok we’ve got too many damn good centres.
14 Nov 2008, 22:24 pm
… and btw Habana is a virgin still! to be continued…
14 Nov 2008, 22:52 pm
Habs has a Beautiful Blonde, seen them walking around Sandton when i was last there. If he is still a virgin, he has amazing self control
15 Nov 2008, 00:16 am
What’s the point of aspiring to be compared to Mike Catt – a very average player !
15 Nov 2008, 00:25 am
#17 Nemesis: remember the player that ended Nick Mallet’s 18 match winning run at Twickenham? same guy appeared in two consecutive World Cup finals, was a British Lion and captained England.
If Barritt achieves half of what Catt achieved he’ll be doing well.
15 Nov 2008, 04:13 am
Wickus will become a legend in the NH… lost to the boks…
As too Barrit…
15 Nov 2008, 04:14 am
#18 Big Hit:
Catt in some respects was just like Percy in the end… the ultimate professional!
15 Nov 2008, 05:41 am
#bryce_in_oz : You were clearly to far from the action – Catt was always **** – Eng just didnt have any centre’s,hence the rejected saffa’s re-call.BEST OF THE WORSE – He still has nightmares about that sunny 1995 Sunday in Cape Town.hehe
15 Nov 2008, 06:04 am
#21 moerbei:
Hey dilettante where did I say I rated him… read the post again… fool…
Catt continued to develop as a player with age and had many a fantastic season with both England and his club…
15 Nov 2008, 07:48 am
Catt continued to develop as a player with age and had many a fantastic season with both England and his club…
This doesn’t make him a great player
15 Nov 2008, 08:15 am
Go Wikus and Brad, you are both going to do us proud.
Both exceptional players who are going to be missed by their unions and fans.
15 Nov 2008, 11:26 am
#13 Bagel:
Calling him kak is perhaps too harsh. He is a solid player with a good head on his shoulders, but I’m afraid he’s also a very average rugby player. I’ve never seen the fuss around this guy, but then again I want my centres to attack and break the line regularly. In the end even Muir didn’t seem to rate him. As an attacking centre he’s well behind the likes of JDV, Steyn, Olivier and even Bosman. Two linebreaks in 3 seasons of Super 14 just isn’t good enough. Not when JDV and Olivier made 26 and 15 respectively this season alone. He’s an excellent defensive centre, ala Berrick Barnes, but with no kicking game at all. That’s a big disadvantage if you don’t have linebreaking skills.
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