Lions quash Strauss rumours
31 Aug 2012
Lions president Kevin de Klerk has denied reports that Josh Strauss will be loaned out to the Crusaders for the 2013 Super Rugby campaign.
Media and social networks have reported that seven-time champions the Crusaders have snapped up the loose forward on loan from the Lions, who will be replaced by the Southern Kings in Super Rugby next year. The news comes as a surprise, considering the Christchurch franchise already has the likes of Richie McCaw, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, George Whitelock and Luke Whitelock in their loose forward department.
This would be a big blow for the Lions, who have already lost prop Jacobie Adriaanse (Scarlets, Wales), lock Ruan Botha (WP), lock Paul Willemse (Blue Bulls) and Caylib Oosthuizen (Free State Cheetahs) in recent weeks. Word is that flyhalf Butch James and hooker Bandise Maku could also make their exits after the Currie Cup.
However, the Lions’ camp has denied the reports about Strauss’s proposed loan. Interim coach Johan Ackermann told keo.co.za that he knew nothing about the deal, while De Klerk also told this site that it wouldn’t be allowed.
De Klerk stressed that only flyhalf Elton Jantjies will be allowed to be loaned out next season as he is the only contracted player who has a Super Rugby clause in his deal.
The Lions currently have 26 players committed until October 2013, with Strauss being one of them.
Lions players contracted until October 2013 – JC Janse van Rensburg, CJ van der Linde, Callie Visagie, Pat Cilliers, Hendrik Roodt, Franco van der Merwe, Derick Minnie, Jaco Kriel, Michael Rhodes, Stephan Greeff, Josh Strauss, Warren Whiteley, Michael Bondesio, Ross Cronje, Whestley Moolman, Elton Jantjies (with contract clause), Guy Cronje, Jaco Taute, Alwyn Hollenbach, Lionel Mapoe, Dylan des Fountain, Bradley Moolman, Deon van Rensburg, Deon Helberg, Andries Coetzee, James Kamana.
77 Comments
31 Aug 2012, 14:06 pm
Daft dragonpricks! What use is he to them in the Vodacom cup?
31 Aug 2012, 14:06 pm
Everything Kevin de Klerk denies usually turns out to be true.
31 Aug 2012, 14:10 pm
Crusaders free up some cash after releasing Ben Franks to Highlanders.
31 Aug 2012, 14:14 pm
@H-2: Ha ha that’s so true
31 Aug 2012, 14:14 pm
Wow.. Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, Matt Todd and the Whitelocks could ve learn t so much from Strauss… They must be really dissapointed.. Massive blow this to their 2013 campaign
31 Aug 2012, 14:18 pm
I am sure the Lions would rather loan him out to the Crusaders, rather than the Kings
31 Aug 2012, 14:29 pm
Josh Strauss
Jaco Taute
Lionel Mapoe
Michael Rhodes
These players needs to be loaned to the Cheetahs for next years S15, this will solve a lot of depth problems for the Cheetahs and will give them much needed top class rugby for the game against the Kings after S15.
Andries Coetzee needs to be loaned to the Bulls as I can’t stand Zane as a rugby player.
31 Aug 2012, 14:31 pm
The one thing came out is that Jantjies’ on his way out, most likely to the Stormers where he will
Elton will form a strong backline set up with the under 1.70′s in Aplon, Habana, De Jong etc
I would expect that midgets rugby fan Mike Tindal will attend their games
31 Aug 2012, 14:51 pm
Maybe since Franks is leaving they need someone to fill the bearded player gap
31 Aug 2012, 14:57 pm
@JA-JA
Agree with you.
31 Aug 2012, 15:09 pm
Gareth: Isn’t there a draft system in place anyway, whereby players not needed by the franchise of their own union are drafted to another franchise that wants them? They stay contracted provincial players but get the chance to play Super Rugby instead of Vodacom Cup. I’m sure Heinke vd Merwe played a season for the Sharks when he was a Golden Lions player.
Seems to me to be the sensible answer – Lions players stay Lions but are available to the other five franchises if they want them and a deal can be made.
31 Aug 2012, 15:20 pm
this is a messed up situation. Josh Strauss should not just be playing super rugby he should be starting for the boks. He can do better in europe any way
31 Aug 2012, 15:21 pm
Bandise Maku
Wikus Van Heerden
Cobus Grobelaar
Butch James
Waylon Murray
All useful players who aren’t on that contract list.
Maku and Murray are both from the Eastern Cape, I believe (could be mistaken about Murray).
They’re both effective players and also fit the Kings’ development profile.
Although rumour has it that WP/Stormers are courting Maku now that Deon Fourie is set to head overseas.
All other regions/franchises suddenly have a dearth of quality centres, so not sure whether Murray will find a home in SA beyond the Kings.
Perhaps he should look to trek north to Sracens to join his old centre partner Barrit?
It might well rejuvenate his rugby.
As for Van Heerden, Grobelaar and James…
Time to retire or perhaps play their last rugby for the Kings to help develop the youngsters in that squad.
This trio will certainly provide a hell of a lot of experience and leadership ability for Super Rugby’s newest team to lean on.
31 Aug 2012, 15:23 pm
Sharks need back-up at prop and Cilliers will surely look to return there if he can.
31 Aug 2012, 15:25 pm
Cheetahs should buy Franco Van Der Merwe, like, yesterday!
31 Aug 2012, 15:28 pm
@H-2:
hehehe
i am actually very angry about this whole flippin business, but that is funny.
31 Aug 2012, 15:30 pm
@Hondo-8: I have heard a number of WP fans wanting Elton to transfer pronto…….Just wondering what happened the next big hope, should have been a Bok, one of the greatest, solid,magical Peter Grant………..
31 Aug 2012, 15:32 pm
@KWAGGA ROBERTSE-17:
Hearing rumours of Jantjies going to Sharks.
Wonder whether this scenario would mean Lambie slotting in more permanently at fullback, or whether it would stifle Pat’s chances of settling into any starting position.
Hope the latter doesn’t happen.
31 Aug 2012, 15:33 pm
@Ja-Ja-7 Would that be the same Cheetahs that voted the Lions out of S15? Dream on buddy.Bulls and Sharks will be the only recipients of players on loan from GLRU. Its called loyalty. WP, Kings and Cheetahs will have to buy the players out of their contracts.
31 Aug 2012, 15:34 pm
@puff-18: Howzit Puff. To be honest I prefer Lambie at 15 but as you rightly said he needs to settle in a position or we might have another Ruan Pienaar scenario on the horison. I reckon the unions are hauling out the big cheque books to get Elton’s services
31 Aug 2012, 15:35 pm
@puff-18:
Fact is though that Sharks don’t have true depth at 10 at the mpoment.
Jury is still out on what position is Lambie’s best.
Viljoen is more of a 15 who can slot in at 10 in an emergency.
Zondagh is young and still coming through the ranks.
Bosman is more of a 12 than a 10, plus he’s been struggling for form at the union.
So it’s not the worst idea in the world for Jantjies to head to Durbs.
If Sharks lure Jantjies and Cilliers from Lions and Pienaar back from overseas, they will have an unbelievable squad (on paper).
31 Aug 2012, 15:39 pm
@Hondo-8:
Apparently those ‘midgets’ in the cape are actually Crusaders fans. Funny that a white man, Josh Strauss, who can’t cut it in a white dominated sport needs to go New Zealand. Again a good reason to break that racist Lions union and nationalise mines! Thank you Hondo for opening more and more eyes.
31 Aug 2012, 15:42 pm
@RugbyStudent-22: WTF????
31 Aug 2012, 15:43 pm
@Rooibaard2000-19: calm down kdk said WP voted for them, didn’t you see the food hamper he sent for TW?
31 Aug 2012, 15:44 pm
@Rooibaard2000-19: That reminds me, I heard that the vote count went 23-6 against the Lions but never knew which other two unions at least had the guts to stand up for them, does that mean it was the Sharks & Bulls, or have I got it wrong?
31 Aug 2012, 15:54 pm
I don’t understand? I keep hearing the Lions deserve a place in the Super 15. Why? They were handed a spot, just like the other 4. Politics aside, finishing bottom at the end of the competition every year does not spark merits! I want to see the more unions wanting to start a franchise, maybe these mediocre super 15 results will get better.
31 Aug 2012, 16:00 pm
@RugbyStudent-26:
Don’t even waste your time with that. We’ve tried, but they just don’t get it.
31 Aug 2012, 16:04 pm
@TooMuchRugby-27:
It seems funny to me that the Kings probably can’t do any worse than last like the Lions, yet isn’t it the Lions that have been benefitting from funding, sponsorships, etc. Anyway.
Isn’t Josh Strauss from Stellenbosch? Duane Vermuelen, Schalk Burger, Siya Kolisi, Josh Strauss, Rynhardt Elstadt would make one mean backrow contingent.
31 Aug 2012, 16:08 pm
@RugbyStudent-28: Josh Strauss studied at Maties and played for them, but not from here by birth.
He might even be from the EC – not sure though
31 Aug 2012, 16:10 pm
@TooMuchRugby-29:
Hahaha from the EC…ironic
31 Aug 2012, 16:13 pm
@KWAGGA ROBERTSE-17:
I am an avid supporter of Grant, but seemed like his time with the Stormers is up, for whatever reason, no worry, he will get his suitors,,,
Jantjies’ move is inevitable, will be a good move for him: he will be wellprotected by the SA referees -unlike with the Lions – although his collaboration with JdV and JdJ is a big unknown
His real acid test will come against the tough NZ teams under Kiwi referees, hold judgement.
31 Aug 2012, 16:14 pm
@RugbyStudent-30: Actually, I was wrong. I see he was born in Belville and went to Paul Roos gimnasium. So effectively he is from Stellenbosch. You were correct.
31 Aug 2012, 16:24 pm
@RugbyStudent-28:
Josh can’t go back to the Cape, not now
Not after last Saturday when he ran through Aplon as if the midget was a rags doll, Josh has earned few enemies in the Cape Flats for showing Aplon, I am dead serious!
31 Aug 2012, 16:28 pm
@Hondo-33:
Why doesn’t he want to go to the Cape? Is he a bully and racist bangpeos like you? Maybe he should pick on someone his own size like Elstadt, Burger, Kolisi, Vermeuelen, Etzebeth or Bekker. Ironic, in that equation, he is the midget. Serious.
31 Aug 2012, 16:31 pm
@RugbyStudent-34:
Does anyone get the sense people are losing faith in Bekker’s ability to remain injury-free?
That talk pre rugby championship of this is finally his chance to show he can cement his spot and now WP/Stormers signing Ruan Botha…
?
31 Aug 2012, 16:33 pm
@puff-35:
Yeah, agreed, he looks in pain when he comes off the field and never runs off the fields just meekly walks to the side like an old lion.
31 Aug 2012, 16:50 pm
@Hondo-33: You mean like Etzebeth ran over Bismarck like a ragged doll, I’m sure those Bethlem farmers didn’t take kindly to one of their own being butt raped by a Cape moffie.
31 Aug 2012, 16:54 pm
@puff-13: Are you sure about Murray? I think he went to school in Westville. Don’t think he is from the EC think he is a born and bred Durbs boy.
31 Aug 2012, 16:56 pm
@Puma-38:
I stand to be corrected.
31 Aug 2012, 16:58 pm
I wonder whether the Lions loan contracts are actually valid. Acording to the Newscorp/Sanzar agreement SARU has to field SAs top 150 players in the Super competition. Whilst this may be a rather subjective decision, there’s no doubt that a number of Lions players fall into that category. Franchises have the right to deny SARU the ability to draft players they deem essential, but as a non competing S15 franchise I doubt whether this is enforceable. The SANZAR contract applies to SARU and the players and not franchises, which fall under the discretion of each governing body.
31 Aug 2012, 16:59 pm
Sorry, that should have read “non loan” contracts.
31 Aug 2012, 17:03 pm
@David-40:
How on earth do you assess that?
Statistically?
Or is there a panel who chooses the players?
31 Aug 2012, 17:07 pm
@Transformation-24: WP voted against the Lions.
31 Aug 2012, 17:08 pm
@Puma-38: Waylon Murray is as Durban as they come. People forget this because they think all Sharks are FS and EC players… they forget about guys like Joe Pieterson coming from KZN because it’s convenient.
31 Aug 2012, 17:08 pm
how is Andries Coetzee better than Zane, thats insane.
yes kirshner ddnt performed in the second ARG game, but id much rather drop morne for either lambie or jantjies. and no not goosen not just yet
31 Aug 2012, 17:11 pm
@RugbyStudent-26: Nothing wrong with relegation, as the Stormers who got relegated out of SuperRugby in 2000. It’s just a big jump from 2nd division where you can’t even win that to SuperRugby. The Griquas are more deserving of a Super Spot than the Queens.
31 Aug 2012, 17:11 pm
Come on Robbie. 250 will be good enough.
No mercy for these pommie ********.
31 Aug 2012, 17:13 pm
@David-40: It would make no sense if the Lions did not derive revenue from this deal.
They rent out contracted players and receive a return for which there are no running costs.
Not perfect but better than nothing
31 Aug 2012, 17:17 pm
@puff-42:
I’ve no idea. As I said, it’s a subjective opinion but similar to the agreement that each national side must field its strongest team in every Championship match.
31 Aug 2012, 17:21 pm
@goyougoodthing2-48:
As I understand it SARU pays R250,000 to a union for their players participating in the S15.
31 Aug 2012, 17:23 pm
@XhosaKid-37:
31 Aug 2012, 17:25 pm
@David-50: May well be that figure, which is small change. There are TV rights, stadium naming rights, season tickets, concession agreements, test match appearance fees (per player 50k per game to the Union) and the list goes on.
31 Aug 2012, 17:29 pm
@boktillzero-12: Agree 100%, If Josh was playing for Bulls, WP, Sharks he would have been a Bok now.
The Boks need players with mongrel and Josh has got that in abundance and then some.
31 Aug 2012, 17:32 pm
@goyougoodthing2-52:
The Lions will still get their share of TV rights, as I understand it, but will lose income in the other areas, much like the Kings haven’t had. The other area they may suffer is the S15 sponsorship.
31 Aug 2012, 17:38 pm
@goyougoodthing2-52:
A lot has been said about how the GLRU will suffer, but nobody mentions their partners, Leopards and Pumas, who can also ill afford the loss of revenue. Considering that the Lions franchise is run by the GLRU who’s already screwed them financially, they’re the ones who should be spitting blood at how the Lions has been run.
31 Aug 2012, 17:41 pm
@BrumbiesBoy-25: So, does anybody know which two unions voted for the Lions, please?
I would love to know.
31 Aug 2012, 17:44 pm
@BrumbiesBoy-56:
How about the Pumas and Leopards? They have a vested interest.
31 Aug 2012, 17:49 pm
@BrumbiesBoy-56:
Definitely only Sharks and Blue Bulls, can’t remember where I read it. Strange that the Lions couldn’t even rely on the votes of their own franchise partners.
31 Aug 2012, 17:54 pm
@David-57: Yeah, I was thinking they must’ve but unfortunately with SA Rugby you never who to believe anymore…
@Slider-58: Thanks, after reading earlier about FS “doing the dirty” I was thinking that it could maybe only be those two.
Although as I said to David you never know anymore…
31 Aug 2012, 17:55 pm
@BrumbiesBoy-56:
It was reported by Rugby365. Not confirmed but nobody has disputed the report.
31 Aug 2012, 18:07 pm
@Slider-60: OK, thanks.
31 Aug 2012, 18:09 pm
@BrumbiesBoy-56: I know definitely that Sharks was one that voted for Lions and Bulls. Those were the only two who voted for Lions as far as I know.
31 Aug 2012, 18:17 pm
@JA-JA-53:
After he led a revolt against John soap-on-a-rope-is-mandatory-when-he’s-in-the-shower Mitchell, I doubt that it that many coaches would queue to get him in their team
He might be disruptful like Luke
31 Aug 2012, 18:41 pm
@BrumbiesBoy-56: Sharks and Bulls.
31 Aug 2012, 19:22 pm
@victoriabok-63:
LMAO, soap-on-a-rope, that makes alot of sense actually, there was always something about the obsession with looks there. bladdy good coach tho imo – but if you cant work with people and cooked in the goose, doesnt matter how good you are.
31 Aug 2012, 21:59 pm
I would love for Meyer to explain how Potgieter makes the Boks versus Strauss who does not.
31 Aug 2012, 22:30 pm
Fuckk the suggestion that Strauss is capable of being a productive (and competent) Crusaders loose forward in the ±5 months before the next S15 season. I don’t see it. He’ll have to unlearn most of what he’s been trained to do on a rugby field.
The ‘Saders are not compelled to sign a l/f. Blood a youngster; field Richie or Todd @ 8 in the meantime. This team had Mose Tuiali’I as their 8 and a couple of stints by Reuben Thorne & Waldrom. Josh is a CC level l/f
31 Aug 2012, 22:59 pm
Viewer
Josh Strauss is better than George Whitelock
Sam Broomhall also played for Saders and he rubbish so Saders aren’t without their flaws
Reuben was also average
31 Aug 2012, 23:09 pm
@ mshini – G Whitelock is a blindside. Are we comparing apples with apples?
Also S Broomhall, R Thorne won SR titles notwithstanding isn’t it?
1 Sep 2012, 00:49 am
As a bulls fan I think the cheetahs can make do with the lions players…
Cheetahs team for superrugby 2013:
15-taute(lions)
14-mapoe(lions)
13-sadie(cheetahs)
12-ebershon(cheetahs)
11-rhule(cheetahs)
10-goosen(cheetahs)
9-van zyl(cheetahs)
8-strauss(lions)
7-minnie(lions)
6-brussow(cheetahs)
5-vd merwe(lions)
4-whiteley(cheetahs)
3-cayleboosthuizen(cheetahs/lions)
2-strauss(cheetahs)
1-coenieoosthuizen(cheetahs)
16-maku(lions)
17-de klerk(cheetahs/bulls)
18-roodt(lions)
19-labuschagne(cheetahs)
20-bondesio(lions)
21-james(lions)
22-scheeperes(cheetahs)
1 Sep 2012, 09:13 am
@ xbull – great side for FS but if they lose 5+ players to injurythings cld go south…
1 Sep 2012, 09:33 am
anyone seen the “earl rose and the quest for snoek” clip on youtube?
1 Sep 2012, 10:10 am
@ brain-i doubt it… They will have the benefit of having 60 players prior with sr experience and the likes of the griqua leopord puma valke etc etc players… Think theyl come good mate
1 Sep 2012, 11:26 am
Thanks guys, I will refrain from commenting on Messrs Verster & Wakefield etc for now.
To Oregan, Mark, Jurie and your ilk, your political bosses must be thrilled with your “for reasons other than rugby” work once again.
Remember, the wheel will turn.
1 Sep 2012, 11:29 am
Currie cup promotion relegation this year will probably be Kings and Lions….. Will be interesting to watch
5 Sep 2012, 22:54 pm
RIP LIONS.
8 Sep 2012, 18:43 pm
WHAT a try by Whiteley! Excellent distribution by Jantjies!!
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