There was something of a mini-uproar in Lions circles earlier in the season when it was spuriously reported that former Bulls prizefighter-cum-center JP Nel may be on his way to join up with the side in Johannesburg. Fans will recall that Nel quit the SA game a few years back in protest to perceived heavy-handedness when it came to the way the judiciary dealt with his serial transgressions. Strangely, he was about the only one to see things that way.
Anyway, fast forward a few short months and it turns out that Nel is indeed on his way back to SA for Japan; but not to play for the Lions, since not even he is that desperate. Media reports over the weekend suggest that he has signed on with Griquas and will join their squad ahead of this year’s Currie Cup.
Another former Bull, in centre Stefan Watermeyer, will also join Griquas, in an indication that new coach Pote Human certainly hasn’t forgotten his roots. Watermeyer left the Bulls at the end of last year on an initial short-term move to the Ospreys in South Wales, but clearly didn’t do enough in his time there to persuade the management to extend his deal past the end of the European season.
Nel and Watermeyer will join up with former Lions stalwart Walter Venter, Sharks XV player Jean Stemmet and the exciting Wilmaure Louw as centre options for Griquas, who look set to launch a strong challenge in this year’s Bok-free Currie Cup.
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Go Jp! 😈
the yellow card returns. i think griquas will be very competitive this year.
It this true ?
The movement of players in and out of French clubs has some surprises all right. One of them is the departure of the young, promising Stormers’ prop to Bordeaux-Bègles. His departure is a massive blow for the Stormers. – Steven Kitshoff
@Rvw (Comment 3) : that’s bullshit and frankly very sloppy.
It’s the Namibian flank Rohan Kitshoff who’s going to Bordeaux, not Steven.
Thanks Rob. i thought they might have there lines crossed.
JP has been back in the country for a while.
Pitty he is not going to the Lions – he would show those guys how to knuckle down and take the coaches “inhumane” tratment. 😈
@Salmonoid (Comment 6) : Any news on that suspension of the coach? I’m in a backwater here and get scraPS!!