Good news, fans – it’s very definitely “silly season” in South African rugby land, as players whose contract expire at the end of October start to lift their heads a little and see what else is out there.
The important thing to remember, though, is that most of the talk that comes out at this time of the year is just that – talk. Agents are wiley creatures indeed and have been known to spread a story of a rumoured deal with another province simply to up a player’s value. In short, take everything you hear (or read) with a pinch of salt and wait for the official confirmation. As we report these movements here, we’ll always be sure to indicate what our level of confidence is – and, of course, whether they are officially confirmed or not.
The latest that we’ve heard concerns the Cronje twins, scrumhalf Ross and flyhalf Guy, rumoured to be looking at a move to the Lions. While Ross has enjoyed some Currie Cup game time this year (performing admirably when given the opportunity), Guy has seemingly fallen out of favour and is well down in the flyhalf pecking order. Since the pair seem keen to stick together, a move to the Lions, where they’d meet up with Michaelhouse schoolmates in Pat Cilliers and Mike Rhodes, could well be a sensible one. Again, we’d like to emphasise that this is just a rumour at this stage and we have no idea whether it’s actually going to happen.
In news concerning another young flyhalf, it appears that Willie du Plessis is definitely leaving Durban, though. After playing regularly at flyhalf for the under 21 side over the last two years, he lost the jersey a few weeks ago to Fred Zeilinga and appears to have decided to pursue options elsewhere. The Liond and Blue Bulls are said to be the likely recipients of his services.
Tweet
If these rumours are true, how big are the losses in each case? I’ve only seen Ross play a few times and he seemed promising.
On a related topic – rugby-playing twins certainly seem to complicate matters don’t they?
It will be a shame to lose talented players like these, but rather have them playing rugby than holding tackle bags..
Ross Cronje will do well feeding Elton Jantjies at the Lions, not sure Guy will get any game time though..
How old are the Twins ? can they still play U/21 next season ? I haven’t seen much of either of them . With Jano Vermaak deciding to join the bulls we do have some depth problems @ scrummie . we did recently sign Eddie Bredenhann ( Oz u/20 Scrummie with duel sa/oz citizenship)
so i dont know .. will be interesting !!!
@Zibbie (Comment 3) :
They are both out of the U21 age this year already..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 4) : did you spot the accountancy pun in the headline?
I don’t get this brotherly love.
My boet went to a different school than me & can thank his lucky stars we never met on the rugby field. 😈
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 4) :
mmm that makes one wonder . we certainly need back up at scrummie but we should be ok @ fly halve with Elton and Burton and Hein Cr0nje coming through from the u\21’s
@vanmartin (Comment 1) : the combo does make thinks complicated yes ….
@robdylan (Comment 5) :
No? 😯 What pun?
@Zibbie (Comment 7) :
Yeah.. If I were the Lions, I would not sign Guy..
Hein Cronje, from what I saw against the Sharks U21’s, is a real talent as well!
Not surprising at all. Seriously doubt they will get much game time at the Lions though.
@war1 (Comment 10) :
I think Ross is a better scrummie compared to Bondesio, he just needs game time..
Well iv been saying this for awhile now,2years to be exact the twins will go somewhere else where they can get game time together,they are super talented in my opinion and won the under 19 currie cup in 2008 and they just don’t get game time time,what a waste of talent we have become a feeder for the lions ,I know its just a rumour but where there is smoke there’s fire 🙁
Come we all know this is rubbish !
Lions will barely have enough cash to keep the lights on at Ellis Park (Coke tin) 😀
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 9) :
How far down the pecking order is Guy at the sharks ? is he that bad in not getting a run in the currie cup ?
Doubt we’re going to see much of these two in senior rugby.
@CoffeeshopBok;-) (Comment 13) :
If they don’t go to the Lions, they still won’t stay at the Tank..
My guys would be a possible move to Griquas, our other feeder union..
@Zibbie (Comment 14) :
Well, if we look at things as they stand, the flyhalves are (without Lambie):
1. Michalak
2. Potgieter
3. Bosman
4. Guy
Maybe by the time he gets a chance, Zeilinga or Jordaan will even be preferred..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 8) : double exit? As in the opposite of double entry?
@robdylan (Comment 18) :
Oooohh.. Right..
You definitely have an accountants sense of humour 😉
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 17) :
mmm i then i think they wont be coming here . we dont really need another 10 . maybe if they could still play u/21 . we really need scrummie back up though … eish
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 19) : what a classic putdown… 😳
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 16) :
Well the Lions have been known to change the fortunes of average players at other unions 😉
Cant say iv seen them play enough to make a judgement.
@robdylan (Comment 21) :
Accountants are funny… it was a compliment!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 19) : To quote from Monty Python “I’m an accountant, and consequently too boring to be of any interest” 😆 😆
@Greg (Comment 24) :
Accountants aren’t boring!
We bring about crashing markets and recessions for a laugh 😉
Did Ross play any Super Rugby this season ?
@Zibbie (Comment 26) :
I don’t think so..
He was involved with the Vodacom Cup team..
In other rumours …
At the Lions Sharks match the other week I did at one occasion shout out to Adi that he should come to the Lions cause he’d get to start and would be more appreciated in Jo’burg…
I’m not sure but i thought I saw a slight smile ..
Perhaps Charlie can shed some light .. 😉
Adi and Waylon reunited under Mitch and Carlos ..Mmmmm 😀
@CoffeeshopBok;-) (Comment 28) :
Adi would strive with the amount of ball he would get from Elton!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 29) :
Linebreaks aplenty I reckon.
@CoffeeshopBok;-) (Comment 28) : do you think adi will start ahead of doppies?
@CoffeeshopBok;-) (Comment 30) :
Somewhat of a rarity at the Sharks at the moment..
Willie du Plessis is from affies if i am not mistaken so he will replace JC Roos who is going to the pumas.He knows pretoria well.
I hope we do not pull another fouche.
I have had enough of kicking flyhalves and this obessesion with big boots. 👿
We need to give the greek or even lionel cronje a call i am sure sam lane..cronje…van aswegen..coleman..and the greek will want to be back up to Morne Sten rather than playing vodacom cup for 3 years.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 32) : Do not worry Paul Jordaan is a line breaker of note he will sort out your problems just give him a year or so then he will be ready for the big time.
@war1 (Comment 31) :
Yes , he is the type of player Mitchell loves ..look at all the talent he unearthed at the Force and are now top Wallabies..the game plan we’re playing will suit Adi to a T imo.
We know what we have in doppies a grafter and strong defensively..but he is getting on and does get injured alot ..
@CoffeeshopBok;-) (Comment 35) :
Adi is older than Doppies.. I am quite sure..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 36) :
Oh ..but still quicker 🙂
@CoffeeshopBok;-) (Comment 35) : I would not expect him to start ahead of the Lions captain. He will almost definitely get more game time than he is getting at the Sharks and possibly get Waylon’s 13 jersey.
@war1 (Comment 38) :
But he is a natural 13, isn’t he?
@war1 (Comment 38) :
Maybe ..but the Captaincy will eventually go to Strauss of that I have no doubt.
@Muzi (Comment 34) :
Loved watching him play in the 7s between him and Sibusiso the Sharks attacking force along with Mvovo is in order.
Future Boks in the 15’s game …Absolutley! ..Aplon laid to rest the demons of size.
I’ll go as far as to say if all 22 Boks played with the heart Aplon has we’d walk this WC.
@CoffeeshopBok;-) (Comment 40) :
the sooner the better .. Strauss bring a calm to team that we havent seen in a long time .. and he plays his heart out !!!
@Zibbie (Comment 42) :
He was born for the role ..and he plays above himself when leading and the team tends to respond well to it.
Also Im old school the Capt should always be a forward.
does anyone know what has happened to jacques louis potgieter?
The Cronje’s aren’t high enough up the pecking order to play the “we have a good offer from XYZ” game surely.
@pete69 (Comment 44) : he’s still with the Sharks… just battling to make the match 22 at the moment
@CoffeeshopBok;-) (Comment 41) : I recon Sithole could make a good fb ,would be interesting to see
Saw on Willie du Plessis’ FB wall that he played his last game in KZN for College Rovers the weekend. He is from Affies and appears to be going back to Pta.
@JustPlainSHARK (Comment 48) : that woulda been his first game for them too :). He plays for collegians
@robdylan (Comment 49) :
😳 yep you right. Its Collegians. Had to go and recheck his FBpage.
@JustPlainSHARK (Comment 50) : anyway – he’s already left durban and is back home in Pta
cronje brothers are a big loss to sharks.for people who been watching them this year will realise hw good they are ex Bok Gobani bobo and michalak cant believe they not in sharks plans they will do very well at Lions and ross will be starting for sure
This period is equivalent to the transder window in football terms :)exciting times.. Ya.. Rosscoe is a loss hey.
This period is equivalent to the transder window in football terms :)exciting times.. Ya.. Rosscoe is a loss hey. He was starting scrumhalf for the only two bonus points we have picked up this far.
At this stage of their careers it might seem to not be such a big loss for the Sharks. But I am a big fan of homegrown talent. And would still like it if they stayed and the Sharks invest in them.
But for them to grow, they should probably go.
@skull (Comment 52) : was that in the papers somewhere?
@CoffeeshopBok;-) (Comment 28) : 😐
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 29) : @CoffeeshopBok;-) (Comment 30) : Agree 😉
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 36) : @CoffeeshopBok;-) (Comment 37) : 😆 😆 😆
I think we need to all remember that rugby is a professional sport and coaches and unions will be judged not on how many youngsters they brought through but rathe ron the results they achieve! If Plum played 15 youngsters and lost would we say well done or would we say he should have used the experienced players?
If youngsters want to play they have to force their way into the team and not just prove they good enough but prove they too good to be left out!
some news from the Lions camp . we have signed the Leopard scrummie Whestley Moolman . He is also rather young . Turning 22 next year . So for next year the Lions now have 3 scrummies . We will see if the cronje rumors are true but im having my doubts
SURNAME Moolman
HEIGHT 178 cm
WEIGHT 86 Kg
BIRTH DATE 04 February 1990
BIRTH PLACE Welkom
MARITIAL STATUS Single
FAVOURITE FILM The Blind Side
FAVOURITE MUSIC Anything
FAVOURITE FOOD Steak; Prawns
PRIMARY SCHOOL Rustenburg Primary
SECONDARY SCHOOL Monument High
Playing position: Scrum-half
Squads Leopards (Vodacom Cup) – 2011 Blue Bulls (ABSA Under 21 Competition) – 2010 UJ (FNB Varsity Cup) – 2009 Golden Lions (Vodacom Cup) – 2009 Lions (U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week) – 2008 Lions (U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week) – 2007 Lions (U16 Coca Cola Grant Khomo Week) – 2006
http://www.sarugby.net/playerprofile.aspx?id=40412&category=sarugby/curriecup&leagueid=809
Ja – I also heard that. Wonder what’s going on
Hi everyone…Has it occured to you that the Cronjé twins have not been offered contracts to continue with the Sharks? If it was me I would look for another union. It’s only natural and they need to further their careers. I think its a good move, although we will miss them and their creative play! Guy has at last recovered from his foot injury and now needs game time. Good luck boys! I am sure we will be seeing a lot of you in the future…
@T-Bang (Comment 63) :
I will be more than happy of the Cronje twins go to another Union and excel.. Thay are talented and the Sharks are holding them back by not giving them sufficient game time..
@T-Bang (Comment 63) : sounds like you know what you’re talking about… you got some sort of “inside info” here?
Ross having been given an opportunity of late (and having done so well)has reminded me of their forgotten talent. Just got me thinking about them. Why aren’t talented players been given more opportunities. What’s happened to the other extreemly talented Sharks player Mark Richards? Has he been called back to S.A 7’s? Hope the Sharks won’t be losing him as well! No inside info, just lots of questions…
@T-Bang (Comment 66) : There are only so many competitions and so many players. It’s all good and well saying play the youngsters, but Where?
Cronje has had 20 good minutes for the Sharks out of how many actual playing minutes? The guy is not good enough for top level rugby. If he was good enough offers would be flooding in from other unions, and they aren’t.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 67) : I concur. Even more so for his brother. They just aint gonna cut it in the big time..
@T-Bang (Comment 66) :
Mark Richards is waiting in the wings (yes I just did that) behind the likes of Mvovo and Sithole.. He had his chance earlier and Im sure he will get another chance!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 67) : I guess we will just have to wait and see. Only time will tell. How would we know if they had any other offers flooding in or not? Maybe you have some inside information for us?
Apparently one has signed for the Lions . Awaiting the other once signature
@Zibbie (Comment 71) : Would this mean Butch is ready to call it quits?
@Original Pierre (Comment 72) : Even IF Butch retires, they still have Francis and Jantjies. Cronje would be moving from one peripheral squad to another.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 73) : Yup and its not as if Cronje is good enough to jump one of those 3 flyhalves in the pecking order.
I feel for Guy… the oke is nowhere NEAR as bad as people like to make out.
@robdylan (Comment 75) : We’re not making him out to be bad, we are making him out to not be good enough.
We had a MASSIVE flyhalf crisis last year and he was never considered by the coaches. Do they know something about his ability that we don’t?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 76) : he was injured, to be fair…
Unfortunately because of Guy’s broken foot he was out of play for a full year and we all know how these things work… Out of sight, out of mind. Now he is fully recovered and I am sure we are all going to be nicely surprised. not many fly halfs have his vision. All he needs now is an oportunity and I am sure the Lions will give him that. No rugby union would buy a player without a plan in place… Good luck to them both! So sorry to see you guys leave.
@T-Bang (Comment 78) : There are no easy rides in SA rugby. Having watched Hein Cronje live recently and a couple of times along the way this season, I can safely say that Guy will have to be at his very best to get ahead of Hein in the pecking order.