Saffers Playing Abroad Thread

[FalseBayFC]

I found out this weekend that Tommy Allan (current 3rd choice flyhalf for Harlequins and Italian player) is the nephew of John Allan, and even played some junior rugby for WP.

Not many families have repped 3 countries internationally. Recently Jacob Umaga turned out for England. His dad Mike played for Samoa and his uncle Tana played for NZ. I'd love to see Louis Lynagh turn out for Italy but he'll be captured by England fairly soon I should think.

[SaintK]

I found out this weekend that Tommy Allan (current 3rd choice flyhalf for Harlequins and Italian player) is the nephew of John Allan, and even played some junior rugby for WP.

Not many families have repped 3 countries internationally. Recently Jacob Umaga turned out for England. His dad Mike played for Samoa and his uncle Tana played for NZ. I'd love to see Louis Lynagh turn out for Italy but he'll be captured by England fairly soon I should think.

He'll need to perform better than he did for Harlequins yesterday. Though he wasn't the only one to have a poor match!

[weegie01]

I found out this weekend that Tommy Allan (current 3rd choice flyhalf for Harlequins and Italian player) is the nephew of John Allan, and even played some junior rugby for WP.

Although he was born in Italy (and his mother was an Italian international), he played U20s for Scotland out of WP.

[FalseBayFC]

I found out this weekend that Tommy Allan (current 3rd choice flyhalf for Harlequins and Italian player) is the nephew of John Allan, and even played some junior rugby for WP.

Not many families have repped 3 countries internationally. Recently Jacob Umaga turned out for England. His dad Mike played for Samoa and his uncle Tana played for NZ. I'd love to see Louis Lynagh turn out for Italy but he'll be captured by England fairly soon I should think.

He'll need to perform better than he did for Harlequins yesterday. Though he wasn't the only one to have a poor match!

I tend to watch the highlight packages of the club matches over there so don't get to see the poor performances. Also playing with Wonderboy, Esterhuizen, Green et al he's going to be doing a lot finishing.

[OomStruisbaai]

He was part of the 150th year Paarl Gym team , captained by Louis Schreuder to put up a record score in Paarl interschools in 2008.



His twin boet now plays for the Lions in the URC.

[assfly]

Watched Sale play last night.

The du Preez twins are in incredible form. Especially Dan, he's a nightmare to tackle and seems to take 4 or 5 guys to eventually bring down.

Faf was a mixed bag. Some great defence from him and some good box kicks, but also still trying to kick when Sale have the ball in the Exeter 22.

[FalseBayFC]

Watched Sale play last night.

The du Preez twins are in incredible form. Especially Dan, he's a nightmare to tackle and seems to take 4 or 5 guys to eventually bring down.

Faf was a mixed bag. Some great defence from him and some good box kicks, but also still trying to kick when Sale have the ball in the Exeter 22.

Augustus, Jasper, DuP bros, Jacques Vermeulen, Ruan Ackerman, Hanro Liebenberg, Jannes Kirsten, Jonno Ross. That's some serious depth in the loose trio just in the Prem alone. I wonder what's happened to Marco van Staden?

[Sards]

Watched Sale play last night.

The du Preez twins are in incredible form. Especially Dan, he's a nightmare to tackle and seems to take 4 or 5 guys to eventually bring down.

Faf was a mixed bag. Some great defence from him and some good box kicks, but also still trying to kick when Sale have the ball in the Exeter 22.

[OomStruisbaai]

Bath gave Louis Schreuder a contract. What a waiste.

[assfly]

Bath gave Louis Schreuder a contract. What a waiste.

Of what?

[handyman]

Bath gave Louis Schreuder a contract. What a waiste.

Skinny or fat?

[FalseBayFC]

Cheslin is tearing shit up in Toulon.

[assfly]

Mental. There was absolutely nothing on there.

[ia801310]

I keep seeing rumours about Lood De Jager to the Stormers and Rohan Janse van Rensburg to the Sharks.

Any solid news about either?

[assfly]

I keep seeing rumours about Lood De Jager to the Stormers and Rohan Janse van Rensburg to the Sharks.

Any solid news about either?

Just noise at the moment. You can add Faf to that list.

[FalseBayFC]

I keep seeing rumours about Lood De Jager to the Stormers and Rohan Janse van Rensburg to the Sharks.

Any solid news about either?

Just noise at the moment. You can add Faf to that list.

The RJVR noise is getting louder. Today James Venter and Siya Kolisi both responded to one of his tweets.

[SaintK]

I keep seeing rumours about Lood De Jager to the Stormers and Rohan Janse van Rensburg to the Sharks.

Any solid news about either?

Just noise at the moment. You can add Faf to that list.

The RJVR noise is getting louder. Today James Venter and Siya Kolisi both responded to one of his tweets.

Sale don't expect any of them to be playing for them next season. They need to cut their salary bill big time to meet the new cap.
Faf reported to have been offered ridiculous money to play in Japan for the Red Hurricanes under Johan Ackerman?

[FalseBayFC]

Just noise at the moment. You can add Faf to that list.

The RJVR noise is getting louder. Today James Venter and Siya Kolisi both responded to one of his tweets.

Sale don't expect any of them to be playing for them next season. They need to cut their salary bill big time to meet the new cap.
Faf reported to have been offered ridiculous money to play in Japan for the Red Hurricanes under Johan Ackerman?

Faf made a huge impression in Japan during RWC. He even had a shampoo commercial. Never figured out if this was a parody or not.

[SaintK]

The RJVR noise is getting louder. Today James Venter and Siya Kolisi both responded to one of his tweets.

Sale don't expect any of them to be playing for them next season. They need to cut their salary bill big time to meet the new cap.
Faf reported to have been offered ridiculous money to play in Japan for the Red Hurricanes under Johan Ackerman?

Faf made a huge impression in Japan during RWC. He even had a shampoo commercial. Never figured out if this was a parody or not.

hard to tell with Japanese ads

[SaintK]

Just noise at the moment. You can add Faf to that list.

The RJVR noise is getting louder. Today James Venter and Siya Kolisi both responded to one of his tweets.

Sale don't expect any of them to be playing for them next season. They need to cut their salary bill big time to meet the new cap.
Faf reported to have been offered ridiculous money to play in Japan for the Red Hurricanes under Johan Ackerman?

Faf and Lood moving on confirmed by Sale. Nothing on van Rensburg yet.
https://www.salesharks.com/2022/04/05/ ... harks/

[bok_viking]

De Allende also on the move at the end of the season. Wonder if any of the SA franchises might try and get some of these players moving.

[assfly]

Watched Montpellier yesterday.

First time I've seen Nico Janse van Rensburg play. I was really impressed with him, I can see why he was on Rassie's radar. Ridiculously quick, looks more like a winger than a flank.

Good to see Pollard back in action too.

[FalseBayFC]

Watched Montpellier yesterday.

First time I've seen Nico Janse van Rensburg play. I was really impressed with him, I can see why he was on Rassie's radar. Ridiculously quick, looks more like a winger than a flank.

Good to see Pollard back in action too.

He's a unit as well. With de Jager and RG Snyman always being injury worries he absolutely must be in the Bok frame. Orie and Moerat are behind him imo. We have enough diversity in the squad to advance him.

[OomStruisbaai]

Speaking of Orie. How much did he improve since joining the Stormers. Saw he actually wore the capt armband in the end against the Bulls.

[FalseBayFC]

Speaking of Orie. How much did he improve since joining the Stormers. Saw he actually wore the capt armband in the end against the Bulls.

He's a very hard working lock. Not flashy but very useful.

[Blake]

Speaking of Orie. How much did he improve since joining the Stormers. Saw he actually wore the capt armband in the end against the Bulls.

He's a very hard working lock. Not flashy but very useful.

I actually had the complete opposite assessment of him watching the game over the weekend and thought he looked much better at the Lions.
He seemed soft in contact and I didn't see anything in terms of flash handling or linking skills on display. Maybe I missed it.
He just doesn't seem to have the hard-nosed grunt that we need IMO.

[Chilli]

Speaking of Orie. How much did he improve since joining the Stormers. Saw he actually wore the capt armband in the end against the Bulls.

He's a very hard working lock. Not flashy but very useful.

I actually had the complete opposite assessment of him watching the game over the weekend and thought he looked much better at the Lions.
He seemed soft in contact and I didn't see anything in terms of flash handling or linking skills on display. Maybe I missed it.
He just doesn't seem to have the hard-nosed grunt that we need IMO.

When he left the Lions to join the Stormers I thought that he improved a hell of a lot. This season has been pretty ordinary for him though.

[OomStruisbaai]

R365

According to Rapport, De Jager will be instead heading to an as-yet-unnamed club in Japan.

[assfly]

Our centre stocks are ridiculous at the moment. Am, DdA and Steyn all in great form. Not to mention AE if he can crack the squad.

[FalseBayFC]

Our centre stocks are ridiculous at the moment. Am, DdA and Steyn all in great form. Not to mention AE if he can crack the squad.

And if all of those were injured, Jan Serfontein wouldn't let anyone down either. Nor would RJVR for that matter. Now if only our flyhalf cupboard was just as full!

[assfly]

And if all of those were injured, Jan Serfontein wouldn't let anyone down either. Nor would RJVR for that matter. Now if only our flyhalf cupboard was just as full!

Speaking of which. Pollard's first start (at 12) on Saturday and he limped off at the end. Not sure how serious the injury is.

[FalseBayFC]

Odd how our domestic flyhalves are either journeymen or youthful prospects who never seem to kick on. It looks like Pollard, Jantjies, Goosen for RWC 2023. So two sicknotes and a dependable back-up. Post RWC 2023 there is Wolhuter, Hendrickse, Chamberlain and Zander du Plessis to look at as Boks.

ex-Grey College du Plessis is currently playing centre and fullback for Griquas. He's a big guy with a huge boot and a high-percentage place kicker. A bit of Honiball and Pollard. Hendrikse is a complete footballer. Also has a big temperament for a 20 year old. Wolhuter looks the goods if he can overcome the injury jinx. Chamberlain is developing nicely. Manie Libbok is interesting. Not sure he can make the step up though. He's certainly got x-factor.

The dross includes Curwin Bosch, Chris Smit, Swiel, Whitehead, Zeilinga Strydom, Louis Fouche, Brandon Thompson ...

NFL have specialist quarterback coaches and I think our rugby needs something like that. Hold flyhalf clinics like they do with spinners in cricket. Its such a critical position and I think that our weakness in the area belies an underinvestment in coaching.

[assfly]

There are going to be more Saffers playing in Japan than Europe soon. Might need to start watching some of the rugby to see how our Boks are getting on.

I'm still not sure if having so many of our Boks playing in Japan is a good thing. Yes, the rugby is softer and the season shorter so they'll be fresher for the Boks, but could also be a bit undercooked not playing against the big boys.

[Blake]

There are going to be more Saffers playing in Japan than Europe soon. Might need to start watching some of the rugby to see how our Boks are getting on.

I'm still not sure if having so many of our Boks playing in Japan is a good thing. Yes, the rugby is softer and the season shorter so they'll be fresher for the Boks, but could also be a bit undercooked not playing against the big boys.

I've seen a lot of interviews with players that have spent some time in Japan, and they all highly recommend it...especially guys that are in the 28 to 31 age range.
It's a great way to reinvigorate their love of the game (just when they are likely to become a bit jaded) and it's also great to be able to spend some time with their spouses and young children.
The faster, softer rugby also extends their career by 3-4 years; so it seems like a win-win-win all round as it's a decent payday and they get to recover mentally and physically.

[average joe]

There are going to be more Saffers playing in Japan than Europe soon. Might need to start watching some of the rugby to see how our Boks are getting on.

I'm still not sure if having so many of our Boks playing in Japan is a good thing. Yes, the rugby is softer and the season shorter so they'll be fresher for the Boks, but could also be a bit undercooked not playing against the big boys.

I've seen a lot of interviews with players that have spent some time in Japan, and they all highly recommend it...especially guys that are in the 28 to 31 age range.
It's a great way to reinvigorate their love of the game (just when they are likely to become a bit jaded) and it's also great to be able to spend some time with their spouses and young children.
The faster, softer rugby also extends their career by 3-4 years; so it seems like a win-win-win all round as it's a decent payday and they get to recover mentally and physically.

Great for working on fitness and handling skills as well. They play a looser faster paced game down there. Less wrestling and more running.

[FalseBayFC]

In a hypothetical scenario where the RWC final is played tomorrow and you have to choose between Roos, Elrigh and Trokkie for the no.8 spot. Who would you select?

[OomStruisbaai]

Eben have been massive tonight for Toulon. Just in time for Wales

[assfly]

To think Rhule may be a European Champion in a couple of weeks

Glad for him and Lleyds to have found the right clubs.

[assfly]

To think Rhule may be a European Champion in a couple of weeks

Glad for him and Lleyds to have found the right clubs.

Fair fucks to them. They both looked outstanding last night, such different players to when they were in SA. I think a lot of it has to do with the La Rochelle gameplan, where their backline get so much ball to run with. I'm not sure if chasing up and unders for the Boks would suit them.

[assfly]

AE awarded player's player of the year for the English premiership.
Dan du Preez player of the year for Sale.