Publications
Partners
Hendrik Cronjé
Bloemfontein – The Sharks may shortly experience a wing crisis similar to the one that was a major headache for Free State in this year’s Currie Cup.
Not only did the Sharks have to deal with the High Court verdict on Wednesday that wing Lionel Mapoe had to return to the Cheetahs immediately, but it has also emerged that Bok star JP Pietersen has received a huge offer from the Lions to continue his career in Johannesburg.
The Lions confirmed the offer to Sport24 on Wednesday after it emerged earlier that Pietersen’s Sharks contract expires at the end of 2010.
The Sharks have 14 days to make a counter-offer for the Bok wing.
Mapoe will, however, not be making his return for Free State against the Lions on Saturday.
Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské said that he would consider the wing for next week’s away match against the Leopards following the verdict by judge Corné van Zyl in the Free State High Court.
“I have no ill feeling towards Lionel. In fact, I’m very fond of him,” said Drotské.
The Free State team for the Lions game had already been announced on Tuesday, which makes it impossible for Drotské to consider Mapoe.
Mapoe’s return for the Currie Cup run-in is great news for Drotské following the serious knee injury suffered by Springbok flyer Jongi Nokwe.
Free State are fielding two centres – Corné Uys and Philip Snyman – as wings against the Lions on Saturday.
Since the end of last year, Free State have lost wings such as Fabian Juries (to Western Province), Danwel Demas (Italy), JW Jonker (France) and Wilton Pietersen (Lions). MJ Mentz is unavailable because of Sevens commitments.
Springbok hooker and Free State captain Adriaan Strauss said that he and his team-mates were excited about Mapoe’s return.
“We can’t wait for Lionel to come back. He’s an incredibly good and special player. There is no-one in the camp that harbours any ill feeling towards him,” said Strauss.
Free State will not train on Thursday. Mapoe will therefore be back in a Free State training jersey again at Vodacom Park at 09:30 on Friday morning.
Bloemfontein – The Sharks may shortly experience a wing crisis similar to the one that was a major headache for Free State in this year’s Currie Cup.
Not only did the Sharks have to deal with the High Court verdict on Wednesday that wing Lionel Mapoe had to return to the Cheetahs immediately, but it has also emerged that Bok star JP Pietersen has received a huge offer from the Lions to continue his career in Johannesburg.
The Lions confirmed the offer to Sport24 on Wednesday after it emerged earlier that Pietersen’s Sharks contract expires at the end of 2010.
The Sharks have 14 days to make a counter-offer for the Bok wing.
Mapoe will, however, not be making his return for Free State against the Lions on Saturday.
Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské said that he would consider the wing for next week’s away match against the Leopards following the verdict by judge Corné van Zyl in the Free State High Court.
“I have no ill feeling towards Lionel. In fact, I’m very fond of him,” said Drotské.
The Free State team for the Lions game had already been announced on Tuesday, which makes it impossible for Drotské to consider Mapoe.
Mapoe’s return for the Currie Cup run-in is great news for Drotské following the serious knee injury suffered by Springbok flyer Jongi Nokwe.
Free State are fielding two centres – Corné Uys and Philip Snyman – as wings against the Lions on Saturday.
Since the end of last year, Free State have lost wings such as Fabian Juries (to Western Province), Danwel Demas (Italy), JW Jonker (France) and Wilton Pietersen (Lions). MJ Mentz is unavailable because of Sevens commitments.
Springbok hooker and Free State captain Adriaan Strauss said that he and his team-mates were excited about Mapoe’s return.
“We can’t wait for Lionel to come back. He’s an incredibly good and special player. There is no-one in the camp that harbours any ill feeling towards him,” said Strauss.
Free State will not train on Thursday. Mapoe will therefore be back in a Free State training jersey again at Vodacom Park at 09:30 on Friday morning.
