More Lions locked in the den
The Golden Lions continue to confound critics who predicted a 'mass exodus' and expected the Johannesburg-based franchise to collapse in a heap of misery.
While the Lions lost some big names to other unions and abroad – most recently Pat Cilliers and Michael Rhodes to Western Province – they are also retaining some of the most promising players in the country, ensuring the long-term future of the team.
Two such talented stars, Andries Coetzee (flyhalf/fullback) and Ruan Combrinck (fullback/wing) have extended their contracts with the Golden Lions Rugby Union.
Added to that the Lions also revealed the signing of talented Griquas flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff and Western Province prop Jacques Kotze.
Coetzee extended his contract with the Johannesburg franchise for the duration of 2013 and 2014, while Combrinck extended his contract for 2013.
Boshoff signed for 2013 and 2014, while Kotze has a one-year deal with the Lions.
Kotze have already joined the Lions , while Boshoff will join the Lions at the end of the 2012 Currie Cup season.
This follows another batch of signings last week and comes in the wake of the announcement that Franco van der Merwe would be taking up a loan agreement with the Sharks – while the fates of Boks Elton Jantjies, Lionel Mapoe and Jaco Taute are still to be finalised.
The announcements come on the back of a bulk player announcement last week where senior Lions players like Derick Minnie and Anthony Volminck pledged their futures to the province.
The Lions also confirmed signing Willie Britz from the Griffons and Warwick Tecklenburg from the Bulls.
Players who were already on the Lions' books before the recent signings: JC Janse van Rensburg (in negotiations for 2013), CJ van Der Linde (in negotiations for 2013), Callie Visagie (in negotiations for 2013), Hendrik Roodt, Franco van der Merwe (on loan to the Sharks), Jaco Kriel, Stephan Greeff, Warren Whiteley, Michael Bondesio, Ross Cronje, Whestley Moolman, Elton Jantjies Elton (in negotiations for 2013), Gus Cronje, Jaco Taute (in negotiations for 2013), Alwyn Hollenbach, Lionel Mapoe (in negotiations for 2013), Dylan Des Fountain, Bradley Moolman, Deon van Rensburg, Andries Coetzee, James Kamana.
Players who last week extended or signed their first contracts with the GLRU:
Under-19:
Malcolm Marx (2012 SA Schools) U/19 Hooker 2013 – 2014
Jano Venter (2012 SA Schools) U/19 Loose Forward 2013 – 2014
Akhona Sihunu (2012 SA Schools) U/19 Scrumhalf 2013 – 2014
Jaco van der Walt (2011 SA Schools) U/19 Scrumhalf 2013 – 2014
Under-21:
Mark Pretorius U/21 Hooker 2013
Gideon Muller U/21 Prop 2013
Ruan Venter U/21 Lock 2013 – 2014
Stephan de Witt U/21 Loose Forward 2013 – 2014
Ruan Lerm U/21 Loose Forward 2013 – 2014
Fabian Booysen U/21 Loose Forward 2013
Seniors:
Francois du Toit Senior Hooker 2013 – 2014
Ruan Dreyer Senior Prop 2013 – 2014
Derick Minnie Senior Loose Forward 2013 – 2014
Willie Britz Senior Loose Forward 2013 – 2014
Warwick Tecklenburg Senior Loose Forward 2013 – 2014
Marais Schmidt Senior Fly Half 2013 – 2014
Robert du Bruyn Senior Centre 2013
Anthony Volmink Senior Wing 2013 – 2014
JR Esterhuizen Senior Wing 2013
Deon Helberg Senior Wing 2013
