Lions lose fourth player in a week
by Brenden Nel 28 August 2012, 15:12
The MTN Golden Lions lost their fourth player in a week when it was confirmed that SA under-20 lock Ruan Botha has signed for Western Province.
Botha, one of the stars in the Baby Boks' recent win in the IRB Junior World Championship, will join Western Province in Novemember.
His move follows supersport.com’s reports that props Caylib Oosthuizen and Jacobie Adriaanse have joined Free State and Scarletts (respectively) as well as Botha’s lock partner Paul Willemse’s move to the Blue Bulls, which was reported two weeks ago, but only confirmed by the Blue Bulls on Monday.
Botha, a big robust lock, is a good acquisition for Western Province and the Brakpan-born forward will definitely bolster Province and the Stormers ranks in future.
According to his agent Wim Meyer, Botha was looking for a new challenge.
“Ruan has had a taste of Super Rugby and wants to play with the best in the highest competition possible. He is very excited about his move to Cape Town and will give 100 per cent to his new team. He also wants to thank the Lions for all the support they have given him over the last few years and will treasure his experience in Johannesburg,” Meyer said.
The Lions put out a generic statement confirming the departure of Botha and the other three players. All four were at the end of their contracts and decided not to renew them to stay at the Lions.
“The Golden Lions Rugby Union this afternoon announced that a few of its junior and senior players have not renewed their contracts after 31 October 2012. These players have elected not to renew their contracts following the uncertainty leading up to the Vodacom Super Rugby 2013 decision. The players received great exposure at the Lions and we wish them well in their future endeavors. The players will remain part of the group until 31 October 2012. These players are: Jacobie Adriaanse, Caylib Oosthuizen, Paul Willemse and Ruan Botha.”
The Lions acting CEO Ruben Moggee did reiterate last week that most of the current players are signed for 2013 and will remain at the union.
