The Golden Lions Rugby Union have already ‘caged’ one of their pride and hopes to have another player locked away soon, as the Sharks launch another of their now famous raids on Johannesburg.
GLRU Chief Executive Manie Reynecke told rugby365.com on Friday that they have just concluded a new two-year deal with midfielder Doppies la Grange and he was confident of also retaining the services of Emerging Springbok scrumhalf Jano Vermaak.
It was reported that both Vermaak and La Grange, who have clauses in their contracts that allow them to be released and sign for another union, were being chased by the Sharks.
Vermaak is contracted with the Lions until 2011, but it was reported that he could join the Sharks.
However, Reyneke put an end to speculation that the Durban-based outfit will be able to launch another successful raid on Ellis Park – which have already netted players like Willem Alberts, Gerhard Mostert and Louis Ludik.
“Doppies [la Grange] has signed a contract extension till 2012,” Reyneke told rugby365.com.
“Yes, Jano [Vermaak] does have a clause in his contract that would have allowed him to leave, be we have been negotiating with him and I am confident that he will stay with us.”
Vermaak confirmed that he will remain with the Lions, even though the documentation still have to be completed.
Reyneke confirmed that apart from La Grange, prop Ross Geldenhuys has also renewed his contract with the Lions until June 2012, admitting that he was aware of the “rumours” that La Grange and Vermaak were to leave the Lions.
“I would like to now put the rumours to rest,” the GLRU CEO said.
“Doppies has just signed an extension on his current contract, and we are currently in the final stages of discussions with Jano, who will in all likelihood also sign within the next few days.
“We are very excited to have re-signed Doppies and Ross [Geldenhuys].
“Doppies has been a part of the Lions family for many years, and we are honoured to have a player of such quality and talent within our structures. Ross has been with us for just over two years.”
Article Courtesy of Rugby 365

π La grange would have been a handy gy to have around, Vermaak would just have been surplus to requirements.
Didn’t Manie also promise that Ludik and Alberts were staying and that ‘there is no way’ they were leaving the Lions??
π
@wpw (Comment 2) : Wes, nothing to do with this thread, but I had to post to you, I Have watched all the tests (except Wales) so far, and on Saturday Ricki was sublime. I know I have given him stick quite often in the past especially about his three steps before passing. But I watched carefully, he took one little hop on one pass the entire game, but other than that his delivery was incredibly crisp.
Now, with his delivery sorted out, if we can get a little more of that mongrel we used to get from him, he can really screw with opposing 9s when at his best.
Alright, there you go, I really am objective in my analysis of players.
Question for you, why doesn’t Flouw play openside with Schalk blindside? They seem to fit those molds better.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 3) : And to follow up, the way Rikki is playing now, he clearly deserves the 9 jersey in Fourie’s absence. PdV has shown some very intelligent foresight allowing him the chance to play himself back to top form.
Well Januarie was a Golden Lion once…. π π³
@Dancing Bear (Comment 5) :
@KSA Shark Β© (Comment 6) : hehehehe, I’ve been harsh on Januarie in the past, so I have to eat my words so to speak. But hey, when it is such a positive for the Boks, a little bit of crow might not taste so bad. π
@KSA Shark Β© (Comment 1) : I agree, while Doppies isn`t exactly star quality he could`ve been usefull. Vermaak . . . surplus to requirement . . .
AARON CRUDEN on the other hand would be a prospect for the future!
@Dancing Bear (Comment 3) : Awfully big of you sailor man.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 7) :
Hey DB,
Good to hear from you bro!! Before I comment on Ricky, let me know how your meeting/get together went with that slacker from KSA. π
As for Ricky, I noticed that rugby365 rated him a 5 which is ridiculous considering he was one of our better players.
I mean Jaque Fourie a 7?? What are those guys somoking?? π
@wpw (Comment 10) : @wpw (Comment 10) : Springbok twak?? π
@wpw (Comment 10) : Jacques was nowhere on Saturday!
@Dancing Bear (Comment 3)
I have to say that I totally agree with you – I have been Ricky’s greatest critic with regards to his distribution – Clearly someone has spoken to him about not dancing 3 steps before firing a pass hence putting pressure on our back line.
Hopefully he can replicate that winning try once again in the tri nations against NZ π
With Hougaard in the Bok squad… does anyone have an idea who the Bulls’ scrumhalf is going to be for the CC?
@CS (Comment 14) : Good question, probably Ruan Snyman I’m guessing
@CS (Comment 14) : Ruan Snyman would be my guess
@war1 (Comment 15) : JINX!
Do the Sharks have problems with their academies? They never seem to be able to produce anything worth mentioning?
Hi all, its been a while! I was at school with trevor. He is the kind of guy who pays great attention to conditioning and is a classic tight lock who will benefit from a bit of “ballie” strength ala johan ackerman. I think it will add some much needed grunt to their tight five. He will offer some mentoring value to the younger guy too. He is a genuine team guy who never gives up. Good to have you back trev!
@zenrugby (Comment 19) : sorry posted that in the wrong section!
@Hmmm (Comment 18) : gee were did you fall out i think i we heard from you like when i started up in SW π
@Hmmm (Comment 18) :
You need to use fresh fish for bait dude not old stuff. π