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Bloemfontein – Shortly after Lionel Mapoe was due to report for duty at Vodacom Park in Bloemfontein on Thursday, an application for leave to appeal against the judgment that forces him to play his rugby here was lodged in the Free State High Court.
To great disappointment of the Free State Cheetahs, Mapoe (22) did not arrive, though there were strong rumours earlier in the day that he was on his way by plane from Durban. The Cheetahs were apparently already busy arranging accommodation for him.
In rugby circles it is now said that Mapoe’s chances of playing for the Springboks this year have now finally been scuppered as he is not match fit. He last played a match on 20 March.
Cheetahs managing director Harold Verster said that Mapoe would have been in line to play for Free State against the Leopards next week had he reported for duty in Bloemfontein on Thursday.
He would also have played in the Currie Cup semifinal and final if the Cheetahs advanced.
Verster is disappointed that the legal battle is set to drag on as it is keeping Mapoe off the rugby field.
Mapoe’s agent Jan Harm van Wyk said that the player was keen to play rugby again as soon as possible, but not for the Cheetahs. The legal position is now being explained to him so that he can exercise his options.
If the court orders him to play in Bloemfontein until 31 October 2011 he will do so, Van Wyk said.
Volksblad understands that a decision will be taken on Monday whether he will continue with the application that was lodged at the court on Thursday. If not, Mapoe will return to Bloemfontein.
In the application by Mapoe and the Sharks Company, it is said that judge Corné van Zyl had erred in the application of a number of legal principles. It is said that she understood, interpreted and applied the legal principles incorrectly.
She was not supposed to hear the application in the first place, given that Mapoe had argued that he did not have enough time to bring proper and complete declarations to court.
The High Court is in recess until 11 October. A date for the hearing will only be decided then.
Bloemfontein – Shortly after Lionel Mapoe was due to report for duty at Vodacom Park in Bloemfontein on Thursday, an application for leave to appeal against the judgment that forces him to play his rugby here was lodged in the Free State High Court.
To great disappointment of the Free State Cheetahs, Mapoe (22) did not arrive, though there were strong rumours earlier in the day that he was on his way by plane from Durban. The Cheetahs were apparently already busy arranging accommodation for him.
In rugby circles it is now said that Mapoe’s chances of playing for the Springboks this year have now finally been scuppered as he is not match fit. He last played a match on 20 March.
Cheetahs managing director Harold Verster said that Mapoe would have been in line to play for Free State against the Leopards next week had he reported for duty in Bloemfontein on Thursday.
He would also have played in the Currie Cup semifinal and final if the Cheetahs advanced.
Verster is disappointed that the legal battle is set to drag on as it is keeping Mapoe off the rugby field.
Mapoe’s agent Jan Harm van Wyk said that the player was keen to play rugby again as soon as possible, but not for the Cheetahs. The legal position is now being explained to him so that he can exercise his options.
If the court orders him to play in Bloemfontein until 31 October 2011 he will do so, Van Wyk said.
Volksblad understands that a decision will be taken on Monday whether he will continue with the application that was lodged at the court on Thursday. If not, Mapoe will return to Bloemfontein.
In the application by Mapoe and the Sharks Company, it is said that judge Corné van Zyl had erred in the application of a number of legal principles. It is said that she understood, interpreted and applied the legal principles incorrectly.
She was not supposed to hear the application in the first place, given that Mapoe had argued that he did not have enough time to bring proper and complete declarations to court.
The High Court is in recess until 11 October. A date for the hearing will only be decided then.
