Van Heerden also eyes Bulls' exit
Tue, 29 Apr 2008 01:49
World Cup-winning Springbok loose forward Wikus van Heerden has become the latest player to look for the exit door at the troubled Bulls outfit in Pretoria.
With fellow World Cup-winner Bakkies Botha's court case against the Bulls to have his contract declared null-and-void postponed to a later date, it has now been revealed that Van Heerden has been courted by English club Saracens.
And that is not where it ends.
Bulls scrumhalf and captain Fourie du Preez is also looking to continue his career abroad, after receiving a number of offers from European clubs, including that of Welsh club Cardiff. The Blues, who lost to Toulouse in the quarterfinal stage of the Heineken Cup, are reportedly seeking the signature of the Bok No.9 for next season.
Neither player, Van Heerden and Du Preez, have taken up the offers put on the table by the Bulls and are expected to make public their future plans once the Super 14 ends next month.
Botha's case, originally scheduled for the labour court on Wednesday, has been postponed.
Reports in the weekend media suggested that Botha - along with fellow World Cup Boks Bryan Habana and Wynand Olivier - are threatening to go on strike if the contract disputes with the Bulls are not resolved.
Botha has asked the Bulls relieve him of his contract so he can join ambitious French Second Division (Pro D2) club Toulon - an outfit that has Botha's longtime Bulls and Bok second row partner Victor Matfield on their books.
Habana and Olivier are also looking to move to France, and now Van Heerden is being courted by Saracens, who lost to Irish province Munster in their Heineken Cup semifinal at the weekend.
Saracens are looking to fill the void that will be left when openside flank Richard Hill - a 2003 World Cup-winner with England - retires at the end of the season.
Negotiations between Van Heerden and Sarries are at an advanced stage.
Van Heerden made six appearances for South Africa in last year's World Cup, including starting in the 36-0 rout of England in their pool match.
Sarries have already signed England lock Steve Borthwick from Bath and Wales No.8 Michael Owen from Newport in their drive to have a team that can win Europe's most coveted club prizes - the Heineken Cup and Guinness Premiership league.
Eddie Jones, the former Australia coach who was a technical advisor for the Springboks at the World Cup in France, will take over from Alan Gaffney as Saracens coach.
