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Cape Town - Golden Lions interim coach Johan Ackermann says ongoing reports and rumours about players leaving the union after the Currie Cup are disrupting their campaign.
The defending champions suffered a shock 42-32 home loss to Griquas last week, with the build-up to that game overshadowed by post-season player movements.
Jacobie Adriaanse (Llanelli Scarlets), Caylib Oosthuizen (Cheetahs), Paul Willemse (Bulls) and Ruan Botha (WP) all announced last week they will be leaving the Johannesburg-based team after the Currie Cup.
Then there was also the rumour about Josh Strauss moving to the Crusaders, which broke last Friday just hours before the Griquas match.
“I’m worried about it,” Ackermann told Beeld. “I told the guys you can’t play if you’re not committed. If they can’t handle it they have to be very honest with me so that the players who want to play in the Currie Cup can play.
There are also rumours about flyhalf Elton Jantjies possibly moving to Western Province and the coach admits it’s becoming annoying.
“Unfortunately there are rumours going around at present - some of it is true and some not. A player has family and friends who read it (media rumours) and then call them. So instead of relaxing at home he now suddenly has to answer 100 messages.”
The SA Rugby Union last month confirmed that the Southern Kings would play in the Super Rugby competition at the expense of the Lions next year - which brought about all the uncertainty regarding the future of their players.
The Lions head to Pretoria this weekend for a clash against the Blue Bulls on Saturday.
The defending champions suffered a shock 42-32 home loss to Griquas last week, with the build-up to that game overshadowed by post-season player movements.
Jacobie Adriaanse (Llanelli Scarlets), Caylib Oosthuizen (Cheetahs), Paul Willemse (Bulls) and Ruan Botha (WP) all announced last week they will be leaving the Johannesburg-based team after the Currie Cup.
Then there was also the rumour about Josh Strauss moving to the Crusaders, which broke last Friday just hours before the Griquas match.
“I’m worried about it,” Ackermann told Beeld. “I told the guys you can’t play if you’re not committed. If they can’t handle it they have to be very honest with me so that the players who want to play in the Currie Cup can play.
There are also rumours about flyhalf Elton Jantjies possibly moving to Western Province and the coach admits it’s becoming annoying.
“Unfortunately there are rumours going around at present - some of it is true and some not. A player has family and friends who read it (media rumours) and then call them. So instead of relaxing at home he now suddenly has to answer 100 messages.”
The SA Rugby Union last month confirmed that the Southern Kings would play in the Super Rugby competition at the expense of the Lions next year - which brought about all the uncertainty regarding the future of their players.
The Lions head to Pretoria this weekend for a clash against the Blue Bulls on Saturday.
