Brumbies sign Lions lock

Brumbies sign Lions lock

14 Sep 2012

The Brumbies have signed Lions second-rower Ettienne Oosthuizen for next year’s Super Rugby season.

It was well known that Brumbies head coach Jake White was on a recruitment search for a young lock in South Africa in recent weeks. And it was confirmed on Friday that the former Springbok boss managed to convince Oosthuizen to make a move Down Under.

The 19-year-old, who is on the Golden Lions’ bench for their Currie Cup clash against the Free State Cheetahs this weekend, will make his exit after the domestic season. If the player decides to remain in Australia for the long term, he’ll have the opportunity to qualify for Wallabies selection.

Lions president Kevin de Klerk confirmed the news to keo.co.za.

‘Jake made the approach via the player’s agent and the player has seen it as a good career opportunity,’ De Klerk told this site. ‘We wish him everything for the best.’

Oosthuizen’s departure comes days after Josh Strauss announced his move to the Glasgow Warriors in Scotland. He is also the third young lock to leave the Johannesburg union, as Baby Bok second-rowers Paul Willemse and Ruan Botha have already signed for the Blue Bulls and WP respectively.

By Gareth Duncan


8 Comments

  • 1.BrumbiesBoy: Reply to this comment
    14 Sep 2012, 15:26 pm

    Welcome to the Brumby clan, young dragon!!!

    I wish you a long & successful stay with us.

  • 2.numba4lock: Reply to this comment
    14 Sep 2012, 16:21 pm

    second rowers seem to be our biggest export to Australia

    Lions exodus is picking up steam

  • 3.bokfan1: Reply to this comment
    14 Sep 2012, 17:33 pm

    Eish. Jake musnt come and pull another Rathbone here!

  • 4.BrumbiesBoy: Reply to this comment
    14 Sep 2012, 17:38 pm

    Too late, he has already and hopefully there’s more to come!!!

  • 5.bokfan1: Reply to this comment
    14 Sep 2012, 17:50 pm

    @BrumbiesBoy-4: your reckon BBoy?
    I suppose the Aussies have to make a plan cos the kids are not playing rugby anymore so there are fewer players coming through…

    its good – he must go over at 19, spend 2 or 3 years learning, then come back and be ready to be a Bok :-)

  • 6.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    14 Sep 2012, 19:00 pm

    doos lions execs

    dooses

    farken dooses

  • 7.Joe Maher: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 00:50 am

    Don’t fret, not every move across the ocean ends in glory.

    Remember a chap named Dollie, who headed to Brumbieland? The Canberra franchise would have been better served had they signed up Dolly Parton as flyhalf, such was Dollie’s spectacular failure, to the point where he, I believe, languished in the Brumbies’ third team.

    We’ll watch this Oosthuizen with interest, but it’s far too soon to even think that we’ve ‘lost’ another budding star

  • 8.BrumbiesBoy: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 11:24 am

    @Joe Maher-7: You’re right, I’d actually forgotten that he’d even gone over there.

    And I have it on “good authority” that he never even got past carrying the tackle bags (nudge, wink!) :-)

    As for this young chap again you’re absolutely right, only time will tell but I once again wish him all the best.

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