Sharksworld has received official confirmation that former Sharks forward Michael Rhodes and Patric Cilliers will both play for the Stormers next year.
The pair’s agent, Eduard Kelder of ProSport International, confirmed to us this morning that Rhodes and Cilliers have been released from their Lions contracts and will join up with the Stormers and WP at the end of the year. Neither will return to the Lions after Super Rugby, but are signing on with WP in a permanent capacity.
Lions CEO Ruben Moggee will confirm theses movements in a press conference at 11am today, as well as shedding further light on the future of a number of other Lions players who will play for other teams on loan during next year’s Super Rugby competition.
As reported here earlier, Franco van der Merwe looks a dead cert to join the Sharks, but both Elton Jantjies and Jaco Taute still have to decide whether it’s Durban or Cape Town that will become their new home, alberit temporarily, next year. Lionel Mapoe, we understand, will most likely play for the Bulls.
More to follow after 11 today.
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Apparently Jantjies will only decide on Sunday, but it looks more likely to be the Stormers.
@Zibbie (Comment 1) : 😆
@JarsonX (Comment 2) : if I were him, I’d go to the Stormers.
To my mind, the worst possible thing that could happen to us (and to Pat) would be if we got both Jantjies and Taute.
I’m still holding thumbs that we’ll get Taute, though.
Bad news for us Lions.
How much game time will Rhodes get at the Stormers? They seem, barring any injuries, to be already well covered at both lock and loose forward for next season.
@robdylan (Comment 4) :
Where would you play him though?
Surely Ludik deserves to keep his place at fullback given his current form. Furthermore Steyn, Whitehead and Jordaan are, in my opinion, more than good enough centre options for next season.
@13 (Comment 6) : sorry, but I’m picking Taute ahead of Jordaan at 13 8 days of every week at the moment.
Paul is a great X-factor player and a wonderful impact sub, but needs to show the ability to dominate at Currie Cup level for 80 minutes before he’s a definite starter at Super Rugby level.
Taute is absolutely world class and you don’t let players like that pass you by.
Also, with Taute and Ludik as fullback options (and Tjop too) there is literally NO CHANCE that Lambie will be used there.
The great thing about this regulation is that the weak teams strongest players will now strengthen the other 4 teams… Well three, because it seems as though the Cheetahs is out of this bidding war. I don’t know of one player that has signed for them for 2013.
@Letgo (Comment 8) : Andries Coetzee is probably joining them.
@13 (Comment 5) : I think Pat and Mike are a bit of a package deal. I reckon WP signed Rhodes to get Cilliers, if you see what I mean.
His dodgy knee won’t allow him much game time, but he’ll lap up the Cape Town social scene.
@robdylan (Comment 10) : Whats the deal with Cilliers and Plum btw, I know you have inferred as such before?
I find it odd that a young and up-and-coming player – which Rhodes and Cillers were – would even think of butting heads with Plum.
Its disappointing, a home-grown prop with great talent in an area where we need depth…
@robdylan (Comment 9) : So even the Cheetahs will benefit.
I really think relegation is a good thing.
I’m really glad it didn’t happen to us. But this clean-out will do SA teams a world of good.
The Kings don’t even have to win. They get their exposure for 2 years and other SA team should be stronger and compete even stronger at the top of the log.
@robdylan (Comment 9) : That’s good, Coetzee is a quality player and will get plenty of game time with them.
Lions players that go to the Stormers/WP usually forget how to play rugby. Say goodbye to your careers
So we know
Taute / Jantjies – Sharks/WP
Franco vd Merwe – Sharks
Cillier / Rhodes – WP
Mapoe – Bulls
Coetzee – Cheetahs
Strauss – Europe
What about the rest?
@Letgo (Comment 15) : What about the rumour that Deon Van Rensburg is going to the Kings? Any truth there?
@13 (Comment 5) : @robdylan (Comment 10) : Can anybody put together a list of the WP/Stormers locks and loosies? Seems odd for Rhodes to be going there.
Locks: Bekker, Steenkamp, Etzebeth, Ruan Botha, Lobberts, Armand
Loosies: Schalk, Duane, Koster, Kolisi, Elstadt, Holmes,Gagiano, Carr
Who am I missing and who will WP/Stormers get rid of now that Rhodes is there? ❓
@ChrisS (Comment 16) : NEE MAN! we don’t want that slow coach, FOK! 👿
@Megatron (Comment 18) : Hahaha!!
That’s just what I heard.
He should be playing centre again, not wing.
@ChrisS (Comment 17) : Reading between the lines it seems as if Rhodes is there to hold Pat hand, or is it his beer mug, or maybe its to just hold him up.
@Salmonoid (Comment 20) : very good line reading, although I’m sure Pat has cleaned up his act.
@Salmonoid (Comment 20) : Haha! Could be. Not a good career move with so many talented locks and loosies there already!!
Probably Stormers will start with Bekker and Etzebeth at lock, Schalk, Duane and Elstadt/Kolisi as the loosies (depending on the opposition). Then you’d expect Koster on the bench and maybe either Kolisi/Elstadt as Elstadt can cover lock. Super Rugby is long though so Rhodes should get some game time on rotation.
@robdylan (Comment 21) : Who are the locks and loosies already there and what do you think Rhodes’ chances of game time are?
😈 So why do the Lions opt to play for one of the unions whom stabed them in the back??? 😈
@robdylan (Comment 7) :
Eish where were you 2 weeks ago when I was getting told the Sharks don’t need Taute… that he wouldn’t displace Jordaan anyway 🙄
You’re right though, Taute is a great talent and the Sharks would have one helluva 10-12-13 combination if they can get him on board.
Rhodes a very good player. Probably just doesn’t quite fit in with what the Stormers want to do though. Can see him fitting in better with the playing styles of other franchises.
Not a bad signing at all though, if he can stay fit. Massive workrate, plays with aggression… One of the key players in last years CC winning team.
@KILLER SHARK (Comment 24) : From what I understand, Rhodes and Cilliers will leave in a permanent move, Jantjies, will have to go back to the Lions but the final choice of where he and others similarly contracted, play rests with the individual.
At the end of the day, if most of the Lions players get accommodated in Super franchises and then return to the Lions fold the union is hardly going to be worse off come CC and the time for play offs. Its a win win situation for all concerned, well almost all, considering that the Kings (the team that we all thought would benefit handsomely) dont seem to be on the benefactors list.
@Mutley (Comment 14) :
Jaque Fourie became TWG13 while at WP!
This is really bad, had hoped that these two would return home. If we don’t get Elton we should really push for Taute. Infact let’s stop this crap and aggresively go for Taute.
Can the Sharks sign a prop or 3? I mean yes we have the Bok front row but heaven forbid an injury or 3 and we in serious shite!
@robdylan (Comment 7) : I agree with you Rob. Taute will be a great signing.
@wpw (Comment 28) : INDEED! JP du Plessis righ behind him!
Sadie too if he wan’t such a merc!
😆 😆