CJ’s return won’t benefit Cheetahs
2 Jun 2010
CJ van der Linde is the Cheetahs’ major signing heading into the Currie Cup, but his opportunities will be limited.
The Cheetahs suffered the loss of seven-season veteran Wian du Preez when he signed a two-year deal with Munster after the Super 14. Their front row ranks were seemingly boosted with the signing of Leinster and Springbok prop Van der Linde on a six-month deal.
However, it seems Van der Linde’s signing will benefit the player more than the team. Being based in Bloemfontein, Van der Linde is now eligible for Bok selection and is set to be part of the national squad this year. This means his Bok commitments will see him missing most of the Cheetahs’ Currie Cup campaign. Van der Linde is also set to join the Stormers next season.
Cheetahs assistant coach Hawies Fourie doubts Van der Linde’s arrival will have any impact this year.
‘It’s great to have CJ back but we will only be able to use him if we make the semi-finals and final of the Currie Cup. His opportunities will be limited,’ Fourie told keo.co.za.
With Du Preez out and Van der Linde in the Boks’ mix, Coenie Oosthuizen will be elevated to first choice prop. Fourie believes the 21-year-old will succeed.
‘Wian is a big loss for us because he hardly got injured. But in the Super 14, Wian played 55% of the season and Coenie the other 45%. So he has received the necessary game time and experience to perform well as a first-choice loosehead.’
Meanwhile, wing Danwel Demas is off to Europe. Demas has signed for Italian club Viadana and the Cheetahs will look to sign another wing for the Currie Cup by next week.
Fourie also confirmed the Cheetahs aren’t expecting to lose any more players this year, pending the court battle with the Sharks over wing Lionel Mapoe, and are continuing to negotiate contract extensions with senior players.
However, centre Meyer Bosman has been linked with a transfer to the Sharks after his contract expires this October. The Ebersohn twins, centre Robert and flyhalf Sias, will decide on their futures later this year and could also defect to Durban.
By Gareth Duncan
23 Comments
2 Jun 2010, 12:56 pm
Well in all honesty Gareth, any player that has not been based locally during this year’s Super 14 already is a mercenary signing by any union.
2 Jun 2010, 12:56 pm
poor management Dragons
2 Jun 2010, 13:04 pm
what is it with these farm boys and their love affair with KZN?
2 Jun 2010, 13:04 pm
But I thought he signed with Province with JDV…..????
2 Jun 2010, 13:08 pm
just used the cheetahs to become a “locally based player” for bok selection…foolish buy in my opinion, but time will tell
2 Jun 2010, 13:09 pm
@BERNARD(BERNARD)-4actually, im confused too??
2 Jun 2010, 13:09 pm
What kind of moron signs a player for 6 months if he’s hardly, if at all, going to be available.
And then they’re always b1tching about money.
2 Jun 2010, 13:11 pm
@BERNARD(BERNARD)-4: He did. But will only join WP after CC.
2 Jun 2010, 13:14 pm
@BERNARD(BERNARD)-4: Try reading the article first, before you post.
2 Jun 2010, 13:16 pm
@racheltjiedebeer(racheltjiedebeer)-7: tend to agree. I guess the answer lies in how much they paid him?? If a lot – then dumb move, if not, then cool…
Free State need to invest in a flyhalf – QUICKLY !!!!!
2 Jun 2010, 13:16 pm
poor buy by both clubs anyway….CJ not hardworking enough in my opinion. doesnt get through half of what beast does
2 Jun 2010, 13:19 pm
@Cheetah Champs(Cheetha Champs)-11: Probably not much, I think SARU foot most of the bill with his Bok contract. I think…
2 Jun 2010, 13:30 pm
Who cares if it wont benefit the Cheetahs?? It will definetly benefit the Boks. CJ is in his prime as a prop and with proper coaching he can improve his game. Why are the Cheetahs complaining they didnt put up no money for him, everything game from SA Rugby. They should be grateful they have another Bok in their ranks to boost morale.
2 Jun 2010, 13:35 pm
@iori Yagami(iori Yagami)-14: Saru paid nothing – Cheetahs did the deal themselves.
Saru national teams manager Andy Marinos confirmed this:
‘CJ will be paid normal squad fees and bonuses for every match he is selected for. There has been no contract signed yet,’ Marinos also told this site.
‘Saru has not given any financial support for CJ’s move to the Cheetahs, they have paid for the deal themselves. By being based at the Cheetahs, we can assure Van der Linde he will be considered for Springbok selection more regularly as a local-based player.
‘We will only offer CJ a Bok contract next year, but that all depends on current form and fitness and whether he is in contention for a place in the World Cup squad.’
2 Jun 2010, 13:36 pm
@GarethD(GarethDuncan)-15: You serious?? How much did they pay? Gwep you know who you talking to?? lmjava
2 Jun 2010, 13:39 pm
@GarethD(GarethDuncan)-14: Oh I see thanx Gwep. Then its not so bad, he is on a pay as you play basis. That should work out for both parties.
2 Jun 2010, 13:49 pm
Another of Harold Verster’s ‘clever’ moments. I know lets buy a player who can only play in the CC Semi/Final if we make it?
He’s a joker. Almost as bad as Reyneke. Hope they both are not involved in the Cats management next year or else they will really be stuffed.
2 Jun 2010, 13:57 pm
Think this actually benefits all parties. We lack depth at number 3 and CJ will provide ample cover there come WC time. Would play CJ off the bench for the Boks with Werner Kruger starting at 3.
For the Cheetahs, with Wian gone and them only paying for matches that he plays, well not a bad deal either.
2 Jun 2010, 14:25 pm
Well loosing Demas is the BEST NEWS ever! Wonder if we paid them to take him?
2 Jun 2010, 14:38 pm
Look at the overall prop picture at the Cheetahs. In Oosthuyzen, Du Preez and Nel they had good props, outside that not much.They actually interchange Du Preez with CJ. If CJ is called up for the Boks quite a lot, they lose, otherwise they are more or less equal. If they get any injuries they are in trouble.
2 Jun 2010, 14:55 pm
Look at it another way. The only front row players contracted at national level are The Beast, John Smit and Bismark. Bismark is injured and the Beast not available. That leaves only John Smit and plenty vacancies. The most likely players to fill those vacancies are CJ, BJ, Jannie Dup (all in Wales with the Boks) and Gurthro. Werner Kruger may have an outside chance. Chillyboy looks set to be the second hooker.
2 Jun 2010, 15:28 pm
A transfer fee systems would see the Cheetahs as one of the richest unions in the country
2 Jun 2010, 17:44 pm
so glad this CJ is back in the mix.
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.