Wannenburg off to Ulster
The most experienced Vodacom Bulls player in Super Rugby, Pedrie Wannenburg, is leaving the union to join the Irish side Ulster.
Wannenburg has been released by the Blue Bulls Company and will start his new life in Belfast on July 1st.
Earlier in the season, Wannenburg became the first player from the franchise to reach 100 Super Games and finished the season on 113 games, of which 99 were consecutive. He won the Vodacom Super 14 trophy with the team three times, in 2007, 2009 and 2010.
He played 80 times for Vodacom Blue Bulls in Currie Cup rugby and won the Cup in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2009 and in 2006 when the Blue Bulls shared the Cup with Free State.
Wannenburg also played in 20 tests for the Springboks.
“It was not an easy decision after almost a decade with the team and the Bulls family,” Wannenburg said of his move.
“I had a fantastic time and great experiences that I will never forget. But it is also a good time to move on. The Heineken Cup will be a new challenge and I am looking forward to that. I have heard many good things about Ulster as well and I am keen to contribute to them, as I still have a lot to offer,” Wannenburg said.
He will join fellow Springboks Johann Muller, Ruan Pienaar and B J Botha at Ulster. Wannenburg and Muller were at school together and played for the same Craven Week side.
The Bulls coach, Frans Ludeke, said Wannenburg will be remembered as one of the true ‘go to’ men of the side.
“The fact that Pedrie became our most capped player ever, could play 99 times consecutively and stayed loyal to the ‘team first’ principle, is testimony of his professionalism and loyalty. We understand why he feels he need new challenges and will always welcome back should the opportunity arise in the future,” Ludeke said.
“He will be remembered as one of the great Bulls players of his time.”
Commenting from Ulster Rugby, Director of Rugby Operations, David Humphreys said: “Ulster Rugby is looking forward to welcoming Pedrie, another world class South African forward and his partner to Belfast adding the final piece to the Ulster squad for the 2010-11 season.
“A lot has been spoken about the potential of this current Ulster squad and we are committed to signing the highest quality players who, like Pedrie, through their winning mentality have the ability to improve our performances on the pitch and take Ulster Rugby back to the highest level. I have no doubt Pedrie will be an enormous asset to Ulster. Ulster Rugby would like to thank the Blue Bulls for affording Pedrie the opportunity of continuing his rugby career, with Ulster.”
With thanks to SA Rugby.com
Sharks Sign Ross Skeate
The Sharks have signed lock Ross Skeate from France on a two year contract, effective 1 July, 2010 to 30 June 2012. The former Stormers and Toulon player will be a great asset to The Sharks.
After leaving Western Province and the Stormers two years ago, he joined Toulon who were on the brink of relegation. This season, they became European Cup finalists as well as qualifying for the Heineken Cup. He is acknowledged as a leader who assisted in the successful turnabout process for the club.
“My desire to play rugby in a team with a blend of international players, learn a new language and improve my forward play took me to France and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Toulon which I see as a success,” he explains.
“However, despite the team’s fortunes, I have a desire to return to South Africa and have chosen The Sharks as the right culture and team environment to continue my career. I believe my rugby philosophy and that of The Sharks is very similar and hence my decision to play in Durban. I look forward to it with eager anticipation.”
Ross boasts an impressive playing pedigree that includes age group representativity (SA Under 19 and Under 21), Western Province and Stormers (90 caps including captaincy), Emerging Springboks, UK Barbarians, Southern Kings vs British & Irish Lions and 45 caps for Toulon in the French Top 14 as well as eight caps in the European Cup.
“With the loss of one of our most senior players, Johann Muller, we have decided to add an experienced player in Ross Skeate,” explains coach John Plumtree. “He is considered a senior player at Toulon, as he was at Western Province, and that is something that stands him in good stead here at The Sharks because of his leadership qualities and experience. He’s a fantastic character.
“He is a mobile, versatile player, an intelligent person who brings all round lock-specific as well as forward athleticism to the game. We look forward to having him here and welcome him with open arms.”
With thanks to Sharksrugby.co.za
Don’t Write Off the Sharks
Johann Muller warns, "Don't write off the Sharks."
The Sharks are not exactly the flavour of the month, with many pundits already dismissing them as serious contenders for the 2010 Super 14 title.
And you can’t exactly blame the critics, considering the men from Durban had been convincingly beaten – 26-0 by the Western Force and 29-14 by the Stormers – in their pre-season matches.
However, veteran lock Johann Muller has warned that those judging the Sharks on the basis of those two matches in Cape Town last week may be underestimating the Durban-based outfit.
Muller, despite seeking an early exit from his Sharks contract, after Irish province Ulster approached the 23-Test veteran to join them in June, told iafrica.com that he is “very excited” about the season ahead.
Muller is looking to make a major contribution as the Sharks seek to end their Super Rugby drought, having been runners-up three times and semifinalists on another three occasions in the 14 years since the game turned professional.
“I see that the people are writing us off and others are really concerned,” Muller, who captained the Sharks to Currie Cup glory in 2008.
“To those people who are writing us off, as well as those suggesting there are problems in the Sharks camp, nothing could be further from the truth.
The 30-year-old second row forward said they had learnt from last year, when they had a really tough pre-season in which they worked very hard.
“We won seven of our first eight games, but then hit a slump towards the end of the season and fatigue set in,” Muller said of their 2009 campaign – which even saw them beat the losing finalists the Chiefs in Hamilton, the Blues in Auckland and the Western Force in Perth.
Despite topping the table through the first nine weeks, the men from Durban dropped out of the race and back into the chasing bunch as they lost four of their last five games.
Change of Stategy
“This year we decided to do things a bit differently,” Muller said, adding: “We have decided to start a bit slower and then peak at the right times … that is why we are still a bit underdone at this stage.
“We still have about 10 days to go [before they face the Chiefs in the opening round in Durban on February 13].
“The players in the team are certainly not concerned. We know what we need to do and we know what the goals are that we are working towards. As I said, people shouldn’t read too much into these warm-up games.
“You will write us off at your own peril.”
Muller said he is enjoying the underdog status attached to the Sharks at present.
“It is kind of nice to go into a tournament like this where everybody is writing us off.
Muller, despite seven years of first class rugby that includes 23 Tests, 74 Super Rugby matches and 64 provincial games, said he is still “very excited” about the season ahead.
Courtesy of iafrica.com
HAVE YOUR SAY: Do you think the Sharks can make a comeback?
Loading ...
