The Lions have taken the time and effort to confirm new signings while also confirming several players leaving the Union.
Most of us already knew about Springbok Marnitz Boshoff leaving for Ireland, but this is confirmation from the Union regarding the move as well as a few others looking elsewhere.
THe players joining the union is a mixture of bigger names as well as a few rising stars from Border, UJ and even a club signing from Raiders.
Seniors players joining the GLRU:
Marvin Orie (lock, Bulls)
Sti Sithole (prop, WP)
Johannes Jonker (prop, Border)
Aphiwe Diyantyi (wing, UJ)
Dean Gordon (wing, Raiders)
Under-21 players who will make their way to the Lions:
Ruan Brits (hooker, WP)
Nyasha Tarusenga (flanker, WP)
Bheki Shongwe (prop, Leopards)
Cyprian Nkomo (centre, WP)
Jaco Willemse (lock, WP)
Senior players leaving the union:
Marnitz Boshoff (flyhalf)
Martin Muller (lock)
MB Lusaseni (lock)
JW Bell (utility back)
Steph de Wit (loose forward)
Ruaan Lerm (loose forward)
Ramone Samuels (loose forward)
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Of all of that its probably the players leaving that are the biggest names if anything.
@SheldonK (Comment 1) :
I think it is great that a Union will take the time to actually put this info out there..
Nudge nudge, wink wink..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 2) : Yeh thats fair enough. I dont think the contracting is as well managed as when Strauli was in Durban.
@SheldonK (Comment 3) :
Yeah..
We hear a rumour, debate the rumour, decide the rumour is more than a rumour, and once the player starts his first match, we will get confirmation that the player has joined the team..
I am just glad to see there are no Sharks players there…
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 4) : I am sure its in honour of Ian Macintosh who loved to name his side at the last possible second.
@Warren Harvey (Comment 5) : Don’t forget Dick Muir, he loved to do that too.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 4) : No its when the player enters rehab that we get confirmation that he’s on our books and we are paying the doctors.
doesnt say where the departing players are headed. only one we know for certain where is Marnitz Boshoff
@The hound (Comment 7) : and that he has signed.elsewhere and is moving on
@SheldonK (Comment 1) : Marvin Orie is a decent lock, mind you. Him and that de Wee kid could form an interesting pairing for the Lions.
@revolverocelot (Comment 8) : From another site
Marnitz Boshoff (flyhalf) – Connacht
Steph de Wit (loose forward) – WP
Ruaan Lerm (loose forward) – Pumas and Southern Kings
Ramone Samuels (loose forward/hooker) – WP
As to the rest, I’m not sure but Martin Muller and MB Lusaseni have struggled with injuries while JW Bell just didn’t make it into the Lions teams, not even the Currie Cup
Wonder when are we going to announce our signings?
@Baylion (Comment 11) : thanks bro
Steph de Wit (loose forward) – WP wow didnt see that, dont know a while lot about steph, his more of a fetcher if im correct
Ruaan Lerm (loose forward) – Pumas and Southern Kings, wow lions lose a flipping good player but I guess he didnt want to sit behind other players, a dual pumas and kings contract is good for him
Ramone Samuels (loose forward/hooker) – WP. dont really rate him
MM good player imho
MB really good player as well, maube we should grab him
@robdylan (Comment 10) : He is decent but hardly anything more than that to be honest. If he had signed for the Sharks i wouldnt be too excited
@revolverocelot (Comment 13) : MB was in Durban for a good while and Sharks werent interested. Maybe now that he is older…
@The hound (Comment 7) :
My mistake..
@SheldonK (Comment 15) :
@Baylion (Comment 11) :
Ex Sharks player? Struggling with injuries? Bring him back, we will pay his medical aid for a year and then release him to be great for another Union..
It’s a service we offer…
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 17) : Yeh id pass on him…there are others id rather take or promote from within.
@Baylion (Comment 11) : somebody somewhere heard that Muller is retiring . Not confirmed
hearing good things about Nyasha Tarusenga and Sti Sithole
@SheldonK (Comment 14) : Lions know how to develop Bulls players . In a years time you will be going on about how the sharks missed out on signing this player . trust me . if seen this script before 😉
@Zibbie (Comment 20) :
THe Lions have this way of spotting good talent.
Must be that Schoeman guy who is on the ball…
@Zibbie (Comment 21) :
Surely you guys have enough locks now? Especially with Franco sticking around as well?
@Zibbie (Comment 21) : Guess will see but if i look at the locks in the country im not sure Orie would make the top 10..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 22) : Yea i think Bart Schoeman has a good eye for talent . He was also previously involved with the Bulls so he knows some of the players and the system .
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 23) : think we should be fine yes . Loosing Muller and Lusaseni is a bit of a setback tough
@SheldonK (Comment 24) : look , not every player that joins a union will be a 23 year old with 50 Bok caops to his name . Sometimes you need to show faith in a player and let him develop . If you think of Mostert . I did not know who he was when he joined the Lions . But im now very happy he is not leaving the union .
Im not saying Orie will be great . But im going to give the guy my backing and hope he deliver . you wont know if you dont try
@Zibbie (Comment 25) : No look dont get me wrong he is by no means a bad signing. He is a solid player and we dont have too many of those mid level professionals playing in SA, most jump ship in search of wine or sushi. My only point was that he isnt a big name signing that could really influence a team. His biggest influence is that he shores up any depth problems. As you say perhaps too many SA Unions either want the new kid on the block straight from matric finals or the 50 test Bok and nobody wants to work with the middle hence the middle leaves
@SheldonK (Comment 26) : yes he is not a big name signing . But if you look at the guys the Lions have signed in the last 3/4 seasons , none of them are big names .
i must admit when comparing to the sharks who bought players like Bothma and Potgieter we are lacking behind
@Zibbie (Comment 27) : fat lot of good those signings did us (and you know it!)
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 23) : Franco sticking around? What did I miss?
@Zibbie (Comment 27) :
Lacking behind?
Players Bothma and Potgieter got a free ride at the Sharks, gaining full fitness and leaving without playing a single game.
Wonderful planning by the Sharks that, no wonder they were nominated for Best Development in the country, we develop all the talent and they all leave…..
@robdylan (Comment 29) :
Nothing confirmed, but as far as I have heard, Franco Mostert getting out of his Lyon contract and styaing with the Lions. Rather doing the Japan thing, I think..
@robdylan (Comment 28) : haha . was being tong in the cheek takeing a bit of a pot at you okes . sorry could not resist 😛
@robdylan (Comment 29) : Yea According to the Lions Lyon negotiated with Franco outside of the allowed window . They feel this makes the contract invalid . Franco has now signed with a Jap team and will spend the CC season with his Jap team before returning to the Lions for super rugby
Lyon , however , has threatened to sue the Lions , franco , francos girlfriend and so on
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 30) : @Richard Ferguson (Comment 30) :
haha , was being a bit sarcastic about the “My only point was that he isnt a big name signing that could really influence a team.”
A big name signing does not mean susses
@Zibbie (Comment 32) : what kind of doos signs a contract then tries to find a loophole to get out of it? 🙂
And I don’t mean Willem Alberts or Louis Ludik….
@robdylan (Comment 34) : 😆 😆
its no fun if you are taking away my argument points 😛
@Zibbie (Comment 32) :
Sarcasm and jokes aside… What was his thinking here?
Now that the Lions are successful and he is involved with the Boks, he doesn’t want to leave anymore?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 30) : 😆
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 36) : Its probably a case of the Lions not wanting to let him go, Strools probably had his fine tooth comb out and found what he wanted to put the pressure on the oke to stay. His French club is properly peed off.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 36) : yea i dont know . but i suspect @Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 38) : is probably right .
some employees are worth fighting for ?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 36) : He probably negotiated not expecting a bok call up…now that he is in the mix he wants to milk it while he can. The moment he falls out the Bok loop you can bet who his agent will be calling…
@SheldonK (Comment 40) : i think that is a bit harsh on the player .
Probably went along the lines of “i want to stay but the money is really good”
And strools said , ok lets sit down and talk about this …
@Zibbie (Comment 41) : Sometimes the truth is harsh. When Lyon were parading him as a signing i dont remember anything from his camp about him denying that he had signed and that he was off to Japan instead. I dont think Lyon would be considering legal action if nothing was signed as they would have no case. So think its very much of him thinking he is out the loop and looking for the payday but then having second thoughts now.
@SheldonK (Comment 42) : yea we dont know what happened behind the scenes . but for now he is staying with the Lions . so we celebrate that .
hey uncle . you must not be so angry . have a beer chill . 🙂
@Zibbie (Comment 43) : No look m happy he is staying in SA if that is the case. The more players of quality that stay the better in my view. I just think its a case of a guy that jumped the gun too early and is now wishing he hadnt thats all. My concern is those playing these dual Jap/Sa contracts often end up injured…De Allende, Pollard and im sure there others i cant think of at the moment
@SheldonK (Comment 42) : Lyon was in breach of WR regulations by negotiating with and signing Mostert without permission of the Lions while he was still under contract with the Lions.
After he made the Boks he was convinced to stay in SA (by SARU and/or the Lions?) and the Lions used the fact that Lyon was in breach to keep him. They kept quiet before as they knew Lyon was in breach when they announced the signing and the Lions probably didn’t want to open negotiations.
If Mostert had decided he wanted to leave anyway the Lions probably would have let it slide as Mostert’s old contract expires end October. He has now signed with the Lions until 2018
@Baylion (Comment 45) : Thanks for the info..
@Baylion (Comment 45) : Yeh look i fully get that. People are just putting Lyon in a bad light…but they didnt force him to negotiate…and they wouldnt threaten legal action if he didnt sign anything. So he is hardly blame free in this mess. At the end of the day if he stays and it puts off overseas clubs poaching just a little then its a good outcome.
So on the topic of next year who would pay say R50 to go and watch these 2 teams play a preseason game at Moses Mabhida in January 2017:
Team Black:
1. Beast 2. Chilliboy 3. Adriaanse 4. Botha 5. Lewies 6. Kleinhans 7. DuPreez 8. DuPreez 9. Reinach 10. April 11. Sithole 12. Am 13. Ward 14. Mjekevu 15. Bosch
Team White:
1. DuToit 2. Marais 3. Oosthuizen 4. Oosthuizen 5. Andrews 6. Daniel 7. Mthembu 8. Van Der Walt 9. Claasens 10.Lambie 11. Mvovo 12. Esterhuizen 13. Deysel 14. Maritz 15. Smith
Subs to be confirmed.
Its something i think Sharks fans would enjoy
@Baylion (Comment 45) : Just a thought here, was Mostert (or any other player in the same situation) also in breach of his contract for negotiating with Lyon while still under contract,
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 49) : @SheldonK (Comment 47) : @Richard Ferguson (Comment 46) : @Baylion (Comment 45) : @Zibbie (Comment 41) : @robdylan (Comment 34) : I’m so gatvol for these rugby “super stars” and their agents doing just as they like.
I really hope Lyon takes him and his agent to the cleaners for breach of contract! Yes maybe Lyon also got it wrong but if he signed a contract with them he should honour it. If the Lions had a problem with it they should have said something when it was announced not now months after!!!
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 49) : Mostert and his agent obviously were. Lyon can take this to the WR judicial panel for arbitration but it’s doubtful that this would go in their favour. The Lions is the “innocent” party and they should win through.
There don’t seem to be specific penalties i.t.o. the WR regulation but the judicial panel can determine appropriate penalties which will depend on the facts.
@SheldonK (Comment 48) : if only I lived closer!!!
@JD (Comment 52) : I know an estate agent…
@SheldonK (Comment 53) : are they hiring because I’d also need a job? 😉
@JD (Comment 50) : .” If the Lions had a problem with it they should have said something when it was announced not now months after!!! . ”
the Lions are not saying months later .
Francos Japan contract was announced 2 or 3 months ago . Lyon is complaining now because they were still expecting Franco to pitch up to them . which he did not .
I know it seems like this is a sudden thing but it really is not
@JD (Comment 54) : I hear there may be a gap at Teichman civils as one guy has picked up an extra work load…
@SheldonK (Comment 56) : think I can email my CV to him? 😉
@JD (Comment 57) : Dont see why not. Maybe include a video clip from your playing days…you never know
@Zibbie (Comment 55) : if he signed with Lyon he’s in breach of contract by not pitching as he did not worry about a negotiation window when negotiating and signing a contract. I know the Lions are not saying anything at the moment but come end October he’s contract is done then the Lions can’t go back and say his Lyon contract is invalid as I believe they had enough time to do so when it was first announced.
It’s time that players and agents be held accountable for their actions!!!
@SheldonK (Comment 58) : hahaha stoped playing way before video clips were fashionable!
@JD (Comment 60) : Attach your VHS tape then…
@JD (Comment 59) : The Lions didn’t say anything early in the year but they are quite clear that Mostert isn’t leaving as they believe Lyon’s contract is invalid
http://www.rugby365.com/article/75619-mostert-lyon-has-no-claim
4.9 Approaches to Players
4.9.1 No Union, Rugby Body, Club, Agent or any other Person or entity, whether acting on its own account or on behalf of any third party, shall induce or attempt to induce any Contract Player or other Person who has a written agreement with a Union, Rugby Body or Club to leave his Union, Rugby Body or Club unless the prior written consent of that Union, Rugby Body or Club has been obtained.
@Baylion (Comment 51) : What sanctions can a union take against a player for negotiating a contract when he shouldnt be, could they for instance terminate his contract immediately, fine him etc.
Do you now if Mostert informed Lyon that he wasnt going to pitch?
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 63) : Well, they cannot cancel his contract as he’s probably not in breach of contract, only in breach of WR regulations. A lot will depend on internal disciplinary procedures but, for example, they could not release him early and not pick him for teams while he sits out his contract.
From the Lyon statement one gets the impression that they were not informed. That would probably be his agent’s function but it also depends on the advice he got from the Lions (Straeuli).
Without access to that type of information it is impossible to know what communications there were between the Lions and Lyon after the Lions re-signed Mostert
Agents…..pahhhh
@JD (Comment 59) : what do you mean end of oct ? he has signed a new contract with the Lions until the end of 2018 . 😆
@Baylion (Comment 64) : @Zibbie (Comment 66) : OK let’s agree the Lyon contract is invalid as it will probably be I really hope the international rugby powers that be stand up and act against the player and his agent as personally I think it’s low class to do things the way they did and just once again show that some people do not care about anything except money!!! He will leave the Lions as he gets a better deal and can worm himself out of the Lions contract!!!
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 63) : well terminating his contract will be pointless as he already has a signed contract with Lyon!
@Baylion (Comment 64) : @Zibbie (Comment 66) : @JD (Comment 67) : don’t get me wrong I’m all for players making as much money as they can in the limited time they have to play rugby. I just think like in any other business they should be accountable for contracts that they sign and that they should honor it!
@JD (Comment 67) : we Lions fans are use to players wrangling themselves out of contracts
@Zibbie (Comment 70) : ja ja ja OK 😉
@JD (Comment 71) : seems new to you guys tough 😛
@JD (Comment 69) : But they are. Provided the contract is solid. From news reports Jannie and Bismarck tried to get out of their contracts and couldn’t. Mostert, according to reports, got out. And he got out because Lyon didn’t follow the rules. TS for them
Personally, everytime we can get a player out of his contract to keep him in SA I’m happy
@Baylion (Comment 73) : Mostert and his agent did exactly the same as Lyon so if Lyon is guilty of not following procedures so to is Mostert and his agent!!!
@Zibbie (Comment 72) : no is not new in SA rugby it’s just that I personally don’t like it as I believe your word/signature should mean something!
@JD (Comment 75) : you guys = sharks supporters .
i willing to listen to you if you objected when Willem Alberts arrived at the Sharks .
@JD (Comment 75) : Actually in this case your word and your signature mean different things, word means shit signature means legally [email protected]Zibbie (Comment 76) : Same guy did both deals Rudolph Strauelli
@The hound (Comment 77) : I know . but JD is objecting in his capacity as a rugby supporter . If he (JD) felt the same when Willem Alberts Joined the Sharks and moaned about it im willing to listen to his objection . If he (JD) did not object and enjoyed the player (like im sure most Sharks fans did) , you benefited from the corrupt system . But when it came back to be something that did not benefit you or you did not like , you are now objecting . I find that very hypocritical.
At the time i was told that rugby is a professional sport and i should accept it . in the business world these loopholes are taken advantage of every day .
So i dont really think anybody has a reason to object
@Zibbie (Comment 78) : You can object as much as you like from a ethical point of view it probably means you are a nicer person, but from a professional point of view it mean shite.
Profesional means money,money means lawyers, and the guy who epitomizes the legal bending of the rules is sitting in the admin box at Ellis Park or whatever its called today.
@The hound (Comment 79) : jip . And the Lions have gained a player for how ever long he stays at the Lions .
We have accepted this . a long time ago . because we were told to . by Sharks supporters
@Zibbie (Comment 80) : Lions have a player for however long he legally has to stay at the Lions,not the best environment to foster team sport..
@The hound (Comment 81) : well we pay him . he plays . nothing more , nothing less . you should know this about Willem Alberts as well
Just blame the bloody agent..
@Zibbie (Comment 82) : Too true, but the Lions should tread a little wary here,the current success of the Lions is that they are a team nobody bigger than the sum of the players all working together for the common good of the team.
I would say this starts to change things and when you get players playing for different reasons the team spirit is the first thing to suffer.
@The hound (Comment 84) :
Look, that is actually a very interesting insight..
@The hound (Comment 84) : we will have to wait and see how this turns out .
@Zibbie (Comment 86) : we will have to deal with the environment anyways because there are now a few boks as well
@The hound (Comment 84) : i think it would have been pretty naive of the Lions to think the environment would never change ?
@Zibbie (Comment 78) : I never said the whole Alberts, Ludick, Mapoe thing was ok. Fact is it was sneaky and underhanded by the Sharks.
If I like it or not it happens in business so it will happen in sports. Trust me he will not be last player to take a loophole/gap to improve his salary but that does not mean I have to like it.
Anyway good luck for the Lions and Mostert hope he reward the faith they showed in him and no I not sarcastic I’m serious!