Saffa eyes Wales call-up

Saffa eyes Wales call-up

25 Mar 2010

South African-born flanker Andries Pretorius hopes to play for Wales in the future.

The 23-year-old loose forward moved from Gloucester to the Cardiff Blues this season, and would have to qualify for Wales via the three-year residency rule.

He’s played for England Students but signed a three-year Blues contract with the intention of playing for Wales.

‘I would hope to stay in this country for the long term to be honest,’ Pretorius told the South Wales Echo. ‘It’s a culture I’ve really fallen in love with and hopefully within the next couple of years I’ll make that big switchover.

‘I’ve had the discussion with my parents and told them if the opportunity ever came I would jump at the chance to play for Wales. If you just look at the culture and the people around here, it’s fantastic.

‘You go to the centre of Cardiff on a match day and it’s an amazing atmosphere. How could you not want to be part of that? That would be ideal.’

Pretorius highlighted the opportunity of playing alongside internationals such as Andy Powell and Martyn Williams as positives.

‘I think that’s still long days ahead,’ he said on the prospect of featuring for the Dragons. ‘But, at the same time, if I stay around people like [Wales flanker] Sam Warburton, who knows?

‘We talk a lot and get on very well. He’s really supportive. We do quite a lot of video sessions and he obviously learns off guys like Martyn. So I guess it all filters through.

‘I have to be realistic and say I’ve got a lot to learn still, but I’m in the best environment to do exactly that.

‘It’s great to be around people like Xavier Rush [who's leaving for Gloucester next season] and Maama Molitika and learn off these guys.’


119 Comments

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  • 101.SodaJoe: Reply to this comment
    25 Mar 2010, 21:55 pm

    @rangerman: I am good by the way. We are having a phenomenal start to Spring (by our low standards) – sunny, “hot”. Had 2 braais already.

    I am ahead on the summer game by about a month.

  • 102.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    25 Mar 2010, 21:55 pm

    @SodaJoe: seems like goode is starting.

    pity.

    js stays at 1.

    really tough tour soda, i hope they doenit!

  • 103.SodaJoe: Reply to this comment
    25 Mar 2010, 22:01 pm

    @rangerman: Every team goes through a tough year. Except the Lions who are having a tough decade.

    We’ll see.

    Did you by any chance watch the England France game. Man – that French team are the real deal.

  • 104.katman: Reply to this comment
    25 Mar 2010, 22:04 pm

    @SodaJoe: Howzit Joe. Tough decade indeed. And I reckon it has been tougher on us fans than on them.

  • 105.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    25 Mar 2010, 22:05 pm

    @SodaJoe: i didnt soda, i was in CT.

    but the poms did ok it seems.

  • 106.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    25 Mar 2010, 22:14 pm

    cheers all.

  • 107.carol: Reply to this comment
    25 Mar 2010, 22:14 pm

    @SodaJoe: As you have done your ‘reveal’ mine is..

    Landers by 10
    Brumbies by 5
    Reds by 5
    Canes by 5 (Hope Sharks beat them tho)
    Tahs by 5
    Bulls by 10 (Hope it is 20+)

    Let’s see if I can keep ahead of you with those predictions!

  • 108.SodaJoe: Reply to this comment
    25 Mar 2010, 22:16 pm

    @katman: Hello bud. How goes it?

    Can’t see us getting out of this downwards spiral any time soon.

  • 109.carol: Reply to this comment
    25 Mar 2010, 22:16 pm

    @katman: I would love to say something comforting to my Lions friends…….but man, you chaps do have a hard time…!! :-(

  • 110.carol: Reply to this comment
    25 Mar 2010, 22:17 pm

    @SodaJoe: Have you seen Ed’s Lions site?

  • 111.katman: Reply to this comment
    25 Mar 2010, 22:18 pm

    @SodaJoe: I fear we’re not yet halfway down…

    @carol: Don’t worry, Carol. I just think of Leeds supporters and I feel better.

  • 112.katman: Reply to this comment
    25 Mar 2010, 22:20 pm

    Must run. Later.

  • 113.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    25 Mar 2010, 22:20 pm

    @SodaJoe:hey CooldrinkJoe…how are you doing ndoda?

    @rangerman: funny thing about it, Heaven’s first post on this thread was in reply to me and i carried on the debate without ever labelling him, but still you want to call me out as one with a slanted view…be that as i may…he failed to give me names of these purported players that have left south africa in droves that is my chosen view of the thread!

  • 114.carol: Reply to this comment
    25 Mar 2010, 22:20 pm

    @katman: Then you really understand the desperation that Soda feels right now! :-)

    I have to say I love Red Lions songs….Have u seen them, hilarious!! He is one positive Lions boy..

  • 115.carol: Reply to this comment
    25 Mar 2010, 22:21 pm

    Me out too………

  • 116.SodaJoe: Reply to this comment
    25 Mar 2010, 22:24 pm

    @katman: *******.

    @carol: Bye Carol.

  • 117.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    26 Mar 2010, 16:30 pm

    @Jozi: ya isilima, qaphela ingizwile. ukhala njengenshangane. ngiyahleka ubulima bhako.

  • 118.Jozi: Reply to this comment
    26 Mar 2010, 17:08 pm

    @Heavens Game: #116 LMFAO

    Not bad…..kodwa ishangane li ngena kuphi manje?
    Wena ndoda…..Nje ngoba sengishilo, awu sona isilima kodwa i khanda lakho liqinile.

    Sengiya hamba manje. Ube ne mpela sonto emnandi.

    Cheers!

  • 119.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    28 Mar 2010, 20:58 pm

    @Jozi: 117. ******* giggle.

    it should have been Shangaan, but all good.

    Cheers

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Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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