Smit and his Boks locked in till 2011
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 21:21
Good news for Springbok supporters is that the entire top echelon of the Bok team, including captain John Smit, have committed themselves to remaining in South Africa until after the 2011 World Cup.
The South African Rugby Union (SARU) on Sunday confirmed the names of 19 players who have signed Springbok contracts for 2010.
Ten of these players have - happily for Springbok prospects of retaining the World Cup they won in France in 2007 - signed contracts to the end of the 2011 season.
For some of the players the lure of earning Pounds or Euros must have been tempting, but these 19 Springboks have taken the decision not to follow the likes of former teammates Jean de Villiers and Francois Steyn to Ireland and France respectively - at least for the time being.
As it is, De Villiers has already stated his desire to return for the World Cup.
The backs contracted by SARU for 2010 are scrumhalf Fourie du Preez, flyhalf Morné Steyn, centres Jaque Fourie, Adrian Jacobs and Wynand Olivier, wings Bryan Habana and JP Pietersen, and utility back Ruan Pienaar.
The forwards with SARU contracts for 2010 are hooker-cum-tighthead prop John Smit, hooker Bismarck du Plessis, loosehead prop Tendai Mtawarira, locks Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha and Andries Bekker, loose forwards Schalk Burger, Juan Smith, Pierre Spies and Heinrich Brüssow, and Danie Rossouw, who has played lock, flank and No.8 for the Boks.
The players who have signed contracts through to the end of the Rugby World Cup year in 2011 are Springbok captain Smit and vice captain Matfield, as well as Botha, Burger, Du Preez, Fourie, Habana, Pietersen, Smith and Spies.
Additional players called up to play for the Springbok will receive pro rata payments in line with the earnings of the contracted group.
Contact Us | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Advertising
