Johann Thormahlen
Bloemfontein - The Cheetahs and Lions will only know in January who JP Joubert will be running out for in the Super 14 season.
There is a dispute between the scrumhalf and the Cheetahs Franchise over the validity of his contract, and an arbitrator will decide on that on 21 January.
The Cheetahs Franchise is of the opinion that Joubert has a valid contract till the end of October 2011, while the player feels the contract is invalid.
Joubert has meanwhile moved to Johannesburg and has not been training with the Cheetahs in preparation for the Super 14 season.
Joubert will play for the Lions from now on and has begun dealing with them.
According to Bert Sorour, the vice-president of the Free State Rugby Union and legal representative, the documents are being rectified and the arbitrator will weigh up who's case holds the most water.
Alwyn Myburgh, Joubert's legal adviser had earlier indicated that Joubert's Cheetahs contract is invalid because according to him, clauses were changed afterwards.
Joubert's case is reminiscent to that of Springbok centre, Jaque Fourie who sorted his lot with regard to contractual differences with the Lions, which was also determined by an arbitrator.
The arbitrator, in this case, determined that Fourie came to no certain agreement with the Golden Lions Rugby Union and will be allowed to play his rugby for the Stormers and Western Province in the future.
Irrespective of the result of Joubert's arbitration, Joubert will form a big part of both teams plans for the Super 14.
Jano Vermaak of the Lions will probably be out of action till the end of January and Joubert will be of great worth to the team.
The other scrumhalves at the Lions' disposal are Chris Jonck, Allistair Siegelaar and Alex Kock, but Joubert ought to be calling the tune in Vermaak's absence and when Vermaak returns, his deputy.
For the Cheetahs, Joubert's services will also be important. Sarel Pretorius, Tewis de Bruyn and Marnus Hugo are currently training with the expanded training squad, but in the event that Pretorius or De Bruyn get injured, will Joubert definitely get the nod above Hugo.
Bloemfontein - The Cheetahs and Lions will only know in January who JP Joubert will be running out for in the Super 14 season.
There is a dispute between the scrumhalf and the Cheetahs Franchise over the validity of his contract, and an arbitrator will decide on that on 21 January.
The Cheetahs Franchise is of the opinion that Joubert has a valid contract till the end of October 2011, while the player feels the contract is invalid.
Joubert has meanwhile moved to Johannesburg and has not been training with the Cheetahs in preparation for the Super 14 season.
Joubert will play for the Lions from now on and has begun dealing with them.
According to Bert Sorour, the vice-president of the Free State Rugby Union and legal representative, the documents are being rectified and the arbitrator will weigh up who's case holds the most water.
Alwyn Myburgh, Joubert's legal adviser had earlier indicated that Joubert's Cheetahs contract is invalid because according to him, clauses were changed afterwards.
Joubert's case is reminiscent to that of Springbok centre, Jaque Fourie who sorted his lot with regard to contractual differences with the Lions, which was also determined by an arbitrator.
The arbitrator, in this case, determined that Fourie came to no certain agreement with the Golden Lions Rugby Union and will be allowed to play his rugby for the Stormers and Western Province in the future.
Irrespective of the result of Joubert's arbitration, Joubert will form a big part of both teams plans for the Super 14.
Jano Vermaak of the Lions will probably be out of action till the end of January and Joubert will be of great worth to the team.
The other scrumhalves at the Lions' disposal are Chris Jonck, Allistair Siegelaar and Alex Kock, but Joubert ought to be calling the tune in Vermaak's absence and when Vermaak returns, his deputy.
For the Cheetahs, Joubert's services will also be important. Sarel Pretorius, Tewis de Bruyn and Marnus Hugo are currently training with the expanded training squad, but in the event that Pretorius or De Bruyn get injured, will Joubert definitely get the nod above Hugo.