Strauss wants to play for Scotland
12 Sep 2012
Josh Strauss’s move to the Glasgow Warriors is part of plan to make him eligible for Scotland in time for the 2015 World Cup.
Strauss’s exit at the Golden Lions was expected as he’s been linked to several overseas sides in recent weeks, including a sensational move to the Crusaders. So it was no surprise when his departure to Scottish club the Glasgow Warriors was confirmed on Tuesday. The loose forward is set to join his new team in two weeks.
This transfer contradicted Lions president Kevin de Klerk’s statements that no contracted player would leave the union, as there were talks of a player exodus following the Johannesburg franchise’s relegation from Super Rugby.
Strauss was part of a 26-man contracted group, who were signed on until October 2013.
However, De Klerk explained that the agreement to release Strauss was because of extraordinary circumstances.
‘Josh’s move to Glasgow will give him a chance to play for Scotland at the next World Cup,’ De Klerk told keo.co.za. ‘He’s 25 years old and has been presented with an opportunity to make a family move abroad. The fact that he will have a chance to play Test rugby for Scotland in three years was a major factor behind his release [according to IRB rules, Strauss will have to complete 36 consecutive months of residence before he becomes eligible for selection].’
De Klerk added that no other players will be released from their current contracts.
‘We have to ensure that we continue to build a competitive team [during the Lions' Super Rugby absence]. Those contracted players form the core of our squad and are an important part of this team.’
Experienced players like hooker Bandise Maku, flyhalf Butch James and centre Waylon Murray do not feature among this contracted group. Flyhalf Elton Jantjies also has a clause in his deal, that will allow him to play for another Super Rugby franchise next season.
However, De Klerk revealed that no official offers have been made for these players.
‘Elton has a Super Rugby clause, but no one has made a move for him yet. Bandise, Butch and Waylon are also still very committed to the Lions, and I expect them to stay with the union.’
Meanwhile, De Klerk confirmed that there are plans for the Lions to take part in a competitive tournament during Super Rugby in 2013. The Lions, together with the IRB and Saru, are trying to put this initiative together.
‘Nothing is confirmed yet, but we are looking to play against European, American or Pacific Island teams. We do acknowledge that the welfare of our players’ careers need to be taken into account. In order to do that, they need to be playing rugby at the highest possible levels. This alternative tournament will provide this platform.
‘[Springbok head coach] Heyneke Meyer is also buying into these plans, so our players will be considered for national selection.’
By Gareth Duncan
35 Comments
12 Sep 2012, 11:47 am
“De Klerk added that no other players will be released from their current contracts”
Kevin de Klerk is a bloody clown…the only reason that he can say the above, is because no-one is terribly interested in any Lions players excepting maybe Van der Merwe, Taute, Mapoe, Coetzee and Jantjes, because let’s be honest most of their players were benchwarmers at other unions before, so unless other teams want to stock up on reserves for their Vodacom sides…the supposed exodus will mainly be down to PE…
12 Sep 2012, 11:55 am
Do these guys not get paid enough at their clubs?
12 Sep 2012, 12:03 pm
Dont worry guys, the Boks have got Jacques Potgieter to call on.
12 Sep 2012, 12:07 pm
scotland?
what low horizons.
does he not believe himself better?
12 Sep 2012, 12:24 pm
Easy Fix for this, give him a game vs Scotland next time we play them.
Then he wont be able to play for them.
12 Sep 2012, 12:54 pm
@thesaint-1: no one is interested in any players then you run a bunch of names, maybe you should run the names of the players who people want from the Kings.
12 Sep 2012, 13:17 pm
@umkhonto-6: Fair enough, let’s give it a go… … … … … … … … o yes, no-one.
12 Sep 2012, 13:17 pm
If I was the othr franchises I would want Elton Jantjes & Jaco Taute at the Stormers and possibly Pat Cilliers
The Bulls should look at brining back Bandise Maku and sign Lionel Mapoe
The cheetahs should bringing in Franco VDM & Derrick Minnie along with Deon Van Rensburg
12 Sep 2012, 13:30 pm
Good for you, Strauss: more money, more security and – with the speed at which things are going downhill for the Boks – you may even get to enjoy a few victories over them.
12 Sep 2012, 14:11 pm
Well done HM… THE standout loosie in SA (uninjured) and a great leader to boot… and you pick Potgieter. Scotland’s gain is our loss but I am very disappointed. Probably for ht ebetter though as thick as five planks HM would never have even considered him for the Boks.
12 Sep 2012, 14:36 pm
If he wants to play at 8, he’s got some strong competition from Zimbabwean born David Denton.
12 Sep 2012, 14:43 pm
Hahahaa….
And the keo yoof league were complaining that the lions don’t send him to the kings out of spite.
12 Sep 2012, 15:09 pm
@gunther-12: Word is that once Malema is done with the mines and the SANDF, he’s going to march to the GLRU and demand that they send Strauss to PE. He’s got Floyd penning a struggle song for the occasion. “Send the boer, send the farmer”
12 Sep 2012, 15:15 pm
@katman-13:
The SANDF?
I hadn’t realised he’d go stuck in there.
I’d rather he meddled with the Lions to be honest.
12 Sep 2012, 15:24 pm
@gunther-14: Ja, he’s addressing them today. Convincing them they’re worth a tonne more than they’re being paid.
Clever fcker this. Start a civil war on the mines, and then turn the troops who are supposed to quell the uprising against their commanders.
Smells like treason.
12 Sep 2012, 15:25 pm
@cjgrove-5: Scotland beat the Boks last time the 2 played.
Boks scraped a 14-10 win in 2009.
As much as I hate to say it, until the Bok team is fixed and winning like it should be, we cant really talk about “lowly”.
12 Sep 2012, 15:26 pm
@katman-11:
Yeah he wont be taking Dentons place in a hurry.
Denton at 8, Strauss at 7 and that Ross Rennie at 6. Potent back row.
12 Sep 2012, 15:28 pm
@gunther-14: and @katman-15: The Lions squad can probably defend SA and police a riot better than the SANDF
12 Sep 2012, 15:30 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-4:
Uh, they beat the Bok last time we played and they beat the Ausies this year.
12 Sep 2012, 15:35 pm
@katman-15:
I don’t like the sound of that.
That’s how civil wars are started.
Someone needs to sort him out.
12 Sep 2012, 15:39 pm
@gunther-20: I know. But sending him to jail for tax issues or tender fraud or even treason will just make a Mandela out of him. Where is doctor Basson when you need him?
12 Sep 2012, 15:41 pm
@katman-21:
Send him to st Helena?
12 Sep 2012, 15:47 pm
@gunther-22: Or Parklands. I don’t know which is worse.
12 Sep 2012, 15:48 pm
@katman-23:
Next door to Tony “I don’t know how that traffic island got there” Yengeni?
Is that wise?
12 Sep 2012, 15:51 pm
Look I feel for players that fall just short of the Boks but really this sort of rubbish needs to stop. It is not cool that players can shop around for a national team.
12 Sep 2012, 15:52 pm
@katman-11: Denton has a good shot at being first choice B&I Lions No.8
12 Sep 2012, 15:54 pm
@STBUR-25: it’s not hard to prevent players straying, all they had to do was cap him for the 7s or Emerging Springbok team (assuming they’ve now registered it as SA’s 2nd team) for 5 minutes and he would be tied for life.
12 Sep 2012, 15:55 pm
@John Galt-19:
goodness johnny g, once or twice in a hundred years.
you know very well they’re get nowhere in a wc.
12 Sep 2012, 15:59 pm
@gunther-24: Ja, put them in those electronic ankle bracelets, in modest two bedroom villas, across the street from Selebi and Shaik in the political exile and medical parole street, Boulevard of Broken Dreams.
12 Sep 2012, 16:01 pm
@katman-29:
Ahh.
You mean like a security complex?
12 Sep 2012, 16:21 pm
@gunther-30: Yes. Unfortunately they’ll have to assume new names and facial hair. Those are the conditions of the Jehovah’s witness Protection Programme.
12 Sep 2012, 16:37 pm
@katman-31:
A Jufro?
12 Sep 2012, 17:13 pm
Bloody traitor you are dead to me. Pack your bags and leave my Lions yesterday and don’t come back ever.
And KDK jy is a doos.
12 Sep 2012, 17:35 pm
This is how imagine event at the Lions to unfold in the coming weeks.
JC Janse v Rensburg walks up to KDK and says “boss I just this fantastic offer to play superrugby for the Sharks with the opportunity to play for Boks and I don’t have to wait 3 years to qualify – lekker ne can you match or better that offer”
KDK says ” no but I have your signature on my contract”
JC shoves that piece of paper up KDKs arse and says “what contract? It’s up yours buddy”
13 Sep 2012, 05:28 am
Scotland is a very beautiful and humble nation. It is by far the best place in the British Isles for a child to grow up in. Steeped in culture and warriorship. The people love rugby, even though they don’t have success after success. They take it all with a pinch of salt. Beating England is everything, and they have a proud record in that regard. Go for it, Josh. You should be in the Bok squad, but the HM radar is still caught on the Maginot Line. All the best to you and your family.
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