Saracens have continued their raids on the South African player ranks, with the news that Sarries have added the powerful ball-carrying skills of Golden Lions back row forward Ernst Joubert to their squad for the 2009/10 season.
A natural leader, the 28-year-old makes the move to London from the Johannesburg-based Lions and will join up with his new club when training for the 2009/10 campaign starts on July 1.
Although predominantly a No.8, Joubert has featured across the back row for the Lions, making a total of 38 appearances in Super 14 rugby.
Rugby 365 reports that he also stepped up to lead his team in this season’s campaign where his power and natural talent made him one of the side’s stand out performers.
“Ernst is a high quality rugby player in every sense,” said Brendan Venter, the incoming Director of Rugby.
“He is absolutely in his prime, and I am delighted with his signing.”
Rugby runs in the family; Joubert is the grandson of former Springbok Piet Malan.
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SHEEZ!!!!!!!!!!! 😯
Joubert gone
Loffie Fired
Anton v Zyl signing with WP.
The new coach is going to have his hands full sourcing 15 players let alone a squad.
WP Rugby have confirmed the signing of lock Anton van Zyl from the Golden Lions.
An ex-Rondebosch pupil and Stellenbosch, UNISA and Oxford University graduate, Van Zyl will join WP in time for the 2009 Currie Cup season on a two-year-contract.
An Oxford Blue in 2003 and 2004, Van Zyl has 33 Currie Cup caps and has 30 Lions Super 14 caps.
At 113kg and 195cm Van Zyl is the second new signing in the second row for WP after All Black Chris Jack joined the Cape team last week.
Who else has left, Reynecke, and?
decimated…
The Lions don’t need Jake and he’s sidekick Eddie to spot the problems at the Lions …here it is the whole story of Lions rugby in the last decade.Build up a team and then watch the players leave.
Big lose this as Ernest is a excellent player.
Nice 🙄
Just to add this won’t be the last time Saracens come raiding top SA super14 players at will.Truthfully Im at the end of my patience with the Lions,the union is comfortably being run into the ground..sad really.Shut up shop and put Ellis park to bed already.
Now the question is who do I support looks like my side has just left the building, Ernst is a big loss as he was an inluential leader as well, Looks like SARFU wont have to worry to much about who to replace in the Super 14. How very sad
And here I thought WP had problems.
The Lions have been having problems since Louis Luyt left the union.
Does anyone know what exactly happened???
Who was behind Luyt’s departure??
Next headline –
Lions lose Fourie to the Sharks…
@blackshark (Comment 8) :
Have you posted any gloating football posts yet today because I havent seen any yet. 😀
@blackshark (Comment 8) : i don’t think you will be rahulette’s favourite person today
@blackshark (Comment 8) : what would we do with fourie ?
another star to be accomodated in the staring XV – another ego
@rekinek (Comment 10) :
Where is the ‘dudette’ this morning??? 😈
@rekinek (Comment 10) :
😆
Rumours I read somewhere was that Vermaak, Willie Wepener and Fourie were also leaving. I’ll see if I can find that ref again.
@molly (Comment 14) : nevermind, its on the newer post… my bad
@molly (Comment 14) :
There is ref to that on the player boycott thread, but i think Walter may have mentioned it before as well.
@rekinek (Comment 11) : Adi @ 12 and Mossie @ 13… brilliant combo
@robdylan (Comment 17) : right – forgotten that fransie is on his way. would prefer teh other way round
@KSA Shark © (Comment 2) : And where are the Sharks new signings? 😯
@Villie (Comment 19) : perhaps the sharks should concentrate on getting what they have up to speed.
@rekinek (Comment 20) : We are still short in a couple of key positions…that was abundantly clear in the Super 14. If we don’t strengthen we will not be able to compete with the Bullies!!
@Villie (Comment 19) :
I have it on good authority that Stroolie has just agreed terms with Earl Rose.
He will be moving to the Sharks after the CC. 😈
@wpw (Comment 22) : you are just saying that because thought of him moving to province is too dreadful for you 😕
@Villie (Comment 21) : and what about well performing Vc side and age groups. isn’t it time to give them a chance.
@wpw (Comment 22) :
The terms you are refering to are for his direct flight plane ticket to Cape Town. Stroolie was scared that he would take a detour via Durban.
@Salmonoid (Comment 25) :
hahahaha
Earl is not that bad. He did quite well at fullback while he was here.
There’s just something about playing for WP that brings out the best in players!!!
@rekinek (Comment 24) : Yes…some guys deserve a chance but remember there is a big jump from VC to CC. I think guys like Zuks and Ross Cronje will probably get chances but we need to create a bit more depth in certain positions. We don’t have adequate cover at 7 if Deysel gets injured (Plum obviously doesn’t have much faith in Downey) and I still feel we need another lock!!
@wpw (Comment 22) : Bring it on!! 😆
@Villie (Comment 27) : Joe Snyman will be the guy
@wpw (Comment 26) :
I havent seen too much of Earl. Anyway dont the Rose brothers come as a package deal, thats how the Lions got them.
@Salmonoid (Comment 30) :
Yip!
Jody is actually a much better talent than Earl.
He is however too small for top flight rugby imo. 😕
@wpw (Comment 31) :
Is there ANYBODY smaller than Earl???????????? 😯 😯 😯
@KSA Shark © (Comment 32) :
I can name quite a few…
WP backline
There you go… 😈
You guys should spend more time with Walter, this one is coming from a long way. All add up !
@Salmonoid (Comment 9) :
I prefer to be gracious in victory – but now that you mention it…
I heard United were saving their energy for the second leg.
While we’re on the subject of Lions up for grabs…where’s Baywatch?
Senekal to Toulon & Ettas gone to Sarries, Mossie maybe to Clermont, Willie Wepener already there, Doppies to the Tjarks, Anton to Slaapstad, next one to move is Petoors. Wish Heinke will join Worms.
That may free up a bit of cash and the Haan konneksie getting out of contracts Kevin Buys (Brive), Bertus Swanepoel (Toulouse), Wessel Roux (Bourgoin), Daniel Saayman (Castres), Grant Estheruizen (Clermont), Frikkie Welsh (Montpellier)
@PaarlBok (Comment 36) : Sjoe we’ve managed to export some mediocrity to France 😉