If media reports today are to be believed, the GLRU are on a serious shopping spree.
Some of the names on the list include the likes of John Smit, and the Lions are apparently willing to fork out a R4 million rand annual salary cheque for the Bok Captain.
Another big Sharks name on the list is JP Pietersen whose contract, as Smit’s, is expiring at the end of the year. Pietersen is also reported to be on the Bulls’ shopping list.
According to Plum, they are in negotiations with these two players to keep them, but no pen has been put to paper yet.
Other big shots in the Lions’ aim were named too and include Butch James, Joe van Niekerk, BJ Botha and Kanko.
De Klerk did not want to comment on the names of players, but did say that they want about 5 or 6 new players and need senior players to strengthen the Lions side….
And the plot thickens…
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That’s a lot of moola to be coughing up at this stage of some of those careers.
They will probably sign one or two players who WERE stars but I can’t see the likes of JP or Kanko leaving for a side who lost all their S14 games this year.
Smit would be a ridiculous signing….all the others however would have their merits ….. 4 million rand ?
The Cheetahs need to get the Lions’ finance guy in Bloemfontein as soon as possible.
If the lions can make these kind of offers with no S14 or CC success, imagine what the Cheetahs could do if they had this guy on board.
Would it be fair to say though, that the Lions would be one of the richest Unions in the world ?
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 3) : About 400 quid.
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 5) : It would appear so. But I seriously have no idea WHY. Back in the day, yes, they were easily so. But they have not had anything closely resembling a loyal supporter base for years now. They even have different sponsors for CC and S14!! 😐
@klempie (Comment 7) :
Maybe i’m out of date !….. not the first person to suggest that ! 😳
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 8) : Like I said, their actions seem to suggest they have massive reserves saved up for “leaner periods” like now. I have no idea how they’d be making big money right now if they are.
They can have Smit. But Kanko and JPP must stay where they are.
Please take Smit. They would be dumb to pay him 4m, and he would be stupid not to take it. Without that fat bastard in the team, we actually look like a team. Plus if they pay him that, they sure as hell wont be able to afford kanko and jpp.
In fact lets set up a supporters fund and raise money, so we could pay the lions to take him off our hands.
“rather burn out, than fade away.” – Roger Daltrey.
Please go to the lions and f f fade away.
@Fido:
Dude, show some respect for a man who led and represented his country with distinction.
@Fido (Comment 11) :
Steady on there. 😯
@Big Fish (Comment 13) : @KSA Shark © (Comment 14) :
How far away are the Stat’s on the game..
…..on ruggastats ? 😕
At least they got him off with 30 minutes to play ! 😉
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 15) : Dunno, never been to the site. 😳
Can the GLRU seriously offer that much more dough to convince an oke to sacrifice the easy life in Durbs for the Joburg slums? 😐
Ironic as two thirds of The Sharks players are from the Vaal.
Stats are out
Dude would ya update my profile pic?
@robdylan (Comment 20) :
Rob not on ruggastats
….what stat site do you use ?
Time to do some analysis ? 😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 17) :
You should makes for more informed debate come Monday nights 😉
Has HH appeared on Sharksworld Interweb Bosberaad (or whatever it’s called)?
@Fido (Comment 12) : Easy now…
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 25) : Evening Claytie. 😎
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 23) :
I might not be there tomorrow night. 🙁 Will be installing Windows 7 64bit and then have to still download skype etc. 🙁
@Predawn (Comment 21) :
Done
@klempie (Comment 24) :
He is the Murray Mexted impersonator. 🙂
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 25) :
Have you been to the movies already ❓ 😕
@klempie (Comment 24) :
At your service ❗ 😕
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 30) :
Easy Tiger 😕
@KSA Shark © (Comment 29) : I might have to listen in next time. 😎
I dig Kiwi accents. They’re like Saffers only with a touch of Aussie cahtoonificayshun to tickle the funny bone. 😆 Did you know that Kiwis and Saffers are the only English speakers outside the UK who speak in Received Pronunciation (Queen’s English)? 😎 Well, the ones that can like to spoke soutie anyway… 😛
@klempie (Comment 33) : 😎
@klempie (Comment 33) :
Kiwis count
1,2,3,4,5,sex,7,8 etc.
There is no difference whether you are called Mark or Mike in NZ, the prnounce both the same way. 😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 35) : The thing I find appealing is that they pronounce their ‘i’s’ more or less the same as we do. i.e. you won’t ever be confused if they ever tell you their cousin has had intimate relations with a ship…
@klempie (Comment 36) : Aussies pronounce ‘i’ as ‘ie’ or ‘ee’. Low class…
@KSA Shark © (Comment 27) : A mac would save you so much time…
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 30) : just returned
@KSA Shark © (Comment 27) : you’d better be there to defend John Smit 😉
@klempie (Comment 33) : Actually there is an Island in the southern part of the Chesapeake Bay called Tangier Island. Very isolated population (still not even a commercial ferry to the island), and they still speak the Queen’s English, however, since they first settled the island in the 18th century, they actually speak the King’s English as it was spoken in England in the 18th century. It was quite a shock when I went to visit the island, I had no idea how isolated the population actually was, with multiple generations that have not even left the island.
@robdylan (Comment 40) : I have no problem with people criticizing Smit’s current form, or even individual aspects of his game, but the level of disrespect exhibited by Fido, and Grant10 at times is simply not on. This crap about him being fat is just ridiculous, and I would like anyone that has made that comment to tell it to his face, perhaps while he is at the gym. What irritates me most is Smit has done nothing to deserve the ire of anyone, he has always given his all for his country, lead with distinction, and even when criticized does not respond in kind, in fact it seems to slide off him like water off a duck. That just exhibits the true class of the man, I just don’t understand what he could have possibly done to cause people to speak of him the way some do. Personally, I would love to see Smit captain the Boks to RWC victory, retire from International Rugby, and play a couple of years for the Sharks, then retire from all Rugby. I would hate to see him play for another team at the end of his career. He is a Sharks man through and through, and in addition his leadership skills, and rugby knowledge would make him an excellent coaching candidate for the Sharks in the future. Just my opinion.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 42) : I’m with you and I trust you know that any criticism I direct John’s way will have everything to do with his current form and nothing to do with his character. He is a legend, but even legends can go on a little too long.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 42) :
You may have to stand in for me on Skype this evening 😛
Whys everyone suprised the Lions have so much money ,the naming rights to ellis park got sold to coca cola and don,t the lions own ellis park ,south african rugby needs real C.E.O,S all these idiots are loose with cash for useless players
Apparently they made 16 million from the “soweto” test (btw fnb stadium is NOT in soweto!!!!)
I can understand if JS accepts the offer. This will most likely be the last big offer of his career. I also heard that he might get involved in a bit of coaching at the Lions.
As for Kanko and JPP… I’m not so sure. They will be a much bigger loss then JS. I also think that those two have a little more sense and will most likely stay. But if the Bulls were to make JPP an offer we might just be in a little trouble.
Why Butch? Okay I will say that he looked the part on Sat when he came on, and I now understand why he is in the Bok 22, but Elton Jantjies has looked the part for the Lions, why would you want to relegate this talent to the bench for a Bullie? Makes no sense…
Kanko and JPP – I cant see them leaving DBN. They are both pretty much legends and after the past seasons heartbreaks we are looking like a solid unit again – why give that up (and the chances of silverware) to be a part of a team in the rebuilding phase??
Id love to see Smit play his final game for the Sharks and not the Lions. Burden must be praying that the rumours are true so he has a shot at S15 rugby…
I wouldnt sell a single player… Still think we are a little short of wings and locks…
@Farlington (Comment 47) : operation: keep JP!!
What I read said the Bulls were interested in JP as well 👿
The Lions has some serious cash rolling around. They own Ellispark 100%. A Company is buying into the GLRU and this will also pour millions into the GLRU. The move to FNB Stadium (which will happen) will our millions into the GLRU.
The company that everybody sees running at a loss year on year is EPWOS. That’s the company responsible of running Ellispark and the Jo’burg Stadium. As we all know, NOTHING happens at the Jo’burg stadium.
The GLRU own 49% of EPWOS, this is where the GLRU runs at a loss, but the GLRU itself, has some serious cash. And with all the millions coming in, they will probably again be one of the richest rugby unions in the World.
They also made a serious profit from the FNB test. No money concerns in Jo’burg.
🙄 lions are always on the shopping spree
@rekinek:
But on the wrong end of the shopping spree perhaps?
@WilladieLeeu (Comment 51) :
*sigh*
We are yet to see these ‘major signings’ arent we??
A few months ago you predicted the possible signings of among others JDV, Smit, JVN, Frans among others. Ons wag nou nog!!! 🙄
@Big Fish (Comment 53) : both ends. they need to make up for losses to these bad bad poachers. 😆
@Big Fish (Comment 53) : high players turnover.
@wpw (Comment 54) : Actually you are wrong there, Willa himself never mentioned any names, he just said there were some negotiations, rumour and speculation inserted the names.
Thanks Greg, exactly what I was going to say.
But let’s see what develops over the next months. A Couple of surprises in a couple of months.