The curtain has closed on the South African chapter of Roland Bernard’s playing career, after the Lions flank agreed to a contract with French Top 14 club Mont-de-Marsan.
Rugby 365 reports that Bernard has decided to turn a new page in his career, after the past seven years with the Lions have failed to yield a regular starting place for him, according to suparugby
His first match for the Lions came in 2002, when he was a top performer and a star in Jake White’s World Championship-winning SA Under-21 team.
In the past seven years, Bernard has notched up just over 50 matches for the Lions (and Cats) in Super 12, Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup competition.
He also represented the Sharks at Super 14 level, as well as the Falcons at Currie Cup level.
The 27-year-old Bernard will now attempt to turn back the clock to the days when he kept Schalk Burger out of the Baby Bok team, and was regarded as the next big thing.
He has already been released from his contract at the Lions, and is free to continue his career in France.
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I remember him from the U21 level, he was really good. Pretty sad he couldn’t make it in the big leagues.
@molly (Comment 1) :
One of the dozens of players who shine at u21 but then don’t make the cut at senior level and then you get guys like Burger who played behind him at u21 but are first choice at senior.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 2) : Almost like Dollie?
@molly (Comment 3) :
EXACTLY like Dollie.
Would be interesting to know how many junior Boks make it to regualrs in senior rugby. I would guess not very many.
@ra-cheltjie de’ be-er (Comment 5) : Probably plenty, but we only get upset about Dollie.
I never saw him play, but I sometimes get suspicious irt the Lions, too many good players seem to be released as not good players, Rory Kockott was not considered good enough to renew his contract, like wise Jean Deysel. Bet they are regretting both decisions now.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 4) :
It’s nothing like Dollie, Bernard can actually play rugby…
@molly (Comment 6) :
It’s that Award they have for CT journo’s to see who can talk the most players into the bok squad with Bonus points for talking in a total outsider that creates all the media attention 😉
@walter van transvaal.co.za (Comment 8) :
😆
I was refering to a player from u21 not making the senior cut. 😆
That said……..I would happily have Dollie in Dbn at the moment.
@Sharksmad (Comment 7) : And then they buy the Roses, like THAT makes sense.
@molly (Comment 11) :
They bought Earl because the felt sorry for the guy, decided to teach him how to play rugby, it took a few years, but it’s starting to work now