Rugby
Pretorius signs with Force
2009-06-19 07:03
Email | Print
Perth - Former Springbok flyhalf Andre Pretorius has signed to play for Australia's Force in the next Super 14 season, team officials said on Friday.
Pretorius, 30, will join his new Perth-based team from the Lions after the completion of the South African Currie Cup season in November, the Force said.
He fills a void at flyhalf for Force following the recent departure of the Wallabies No 10 Matt Giteau back to the Brumbies.
Rugby Western Australia General Manager Mitch Hardy said Pretorius brought experience and leadership to the Force.
"Andre is a game breaker with significant international experience and he can control a game, which is exactly what we were looking for in a number 10," Hardy said.
Pretorius said it was one of his biggest decisions to leave South Africa and play in Australia with the Force.
"My loyalty has always been with the Lions and the 11 years I spent there have been tremendous and they assisted me in becoming a Springbok. That's what made this decision difficult," Pretorius said in a statement.
"I am excited about the opportunity to play for the Force. I will be surrounded by great players which makes it easy to focus only on what you have to do."
The goalkicking flyhalf was a member of the world champion Springboks squad at the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France and has amassed 645 points in eight seasons of Super Rugby for the Johannesburg-based Lions.
His tally ranks him seventh on the all-time list in Super Rugby with more than 200 penalty goals and conversions at provincial level.
Pretorius has also scored 171 points in 31 Tests for South Africa since his debut against Wales in Bloemfontein in 2002.
