CJ taking on Ollie's Irish Challenge
Wed, 08 Oct 2008 07:49
South African powerhouse CJ van der Linde admits that it will take some time to get use to playing in the northern hemisphere, but that he is already thoroughly enjoying the experience.
Part of the 2007 World Cup winning Springbok squad, and with 56 Test caps to his name, Van der Linde has become a highly experienced international prop.
Now though, in the next stage of his career, the former Free State Cheetah, says he is facing a new challenge at Leinster.
Having signed for the Irish province, Leinster, after the recent Tri-Nations series the 28-year-old has already been in action for his new club. While he appears to have settled in well to the team itself one point of concern for the South African has been a number of penalties that have been awarded against him at scrum time.
"It is something I must get used to," said Van der Linde to the Irish Independent.
"I am not used to the way they have the scrums and the rucks so it is an adaptation you must make and get used to it.
"It is difficult to say who is right and who is wrong in a scrum because it is eight people against eight people and it can go both ways. Some of the calls were a bit funny so I will have to have a look at that."
Leinster of course have a fine recent history with South African prop forwards. Natal Sharks legend Ollie le Roux had a fantastic time with the Leinster Lions and was a particular favourite with the passionate fans.
While van der Linde is full of praise for his predecessor, and admits he asked him for advice before completing his move up north, he says it is impossible for him to try and compare himself with le Roux.
"I wouldn't say he had something to do with me coming here,
"Leinster made me an offer to come and play and I thought it was a good opportunity for me to gain a new experience and play in the northern hemisphere.
"I obviously asked him about it. He said it was a very professional set-up here and I haven't seen anything else. It has been very professional and I have enjoyed being here.
"It is difficult to compare yourself against another guy. Ollie is a great player. He has played 54 Tests for South Africa and I don't know how many, maybe 200 or more provincial games, so he is one of the good guys of rugby."
Van der Linde has signed a three-year contract with Mike Cheika’s men and, along with fellow new recruit Rocky Elsom, has already received high praise from all at Donnybrooke for what they have brought to the squad.
With a bench press mark of reportedly 190kg, and a best 100m sprint time of just over 14 seconds, Van der Linde is clearly a fine athlete and, particular given his willingness to continue to learn and improve, looks set to become, perhaps, the ideal replacement for former cult hero Le Roux.
