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Coach Jake White has cleared the air on players like Frans Steyn and Marcell Coetzee, who have been linked to the Vodacom Bulls. CRAIG LEWIS reports.
This past weekend, it was reported that Steyn was one of two Cheetahs players potentially on the Bulls’ radar; the other was said to be the vice-captain and flank Junior Pokomela.
It’s something, verbatim, that wouldn’t seem beyond the realms of possibility when you consider that the future of the Cheetahs is still clouded by some doubts after losing their Pro14 status, which could presumably result in players being they look for opportunities to continue playing at the top. flight rugby.
However, there is still no clarity on what exactly will be the outcome of the ongoing talks between the Cheetahs and SA Rugby, while it also remains to be seen whether the possibility of players moving through ‘loan deals’ could become a reality. .
When asked about the latest conversation about Steyn and Pokomela tied to the Bulls, White didn’t shy away from the question.
‘There is no truth in those rumors. I have trained it [Steyn] a lot, but the reality is that Frans has a contract with Free State.
“ Looking ahead, there’s no question that he would want to play some kind of rugby if we want to play in the British & Irish Lions series, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to come to the Bulls or we’re trying to bring him here.
When it comes to Junior Pokomela, I can tell you that I think we have enough forwards on the loose and I don’t think getting another striker on the loose like him would help his career coming here. We still have someone like Muller Uys who hasn’t played much rugby for us this year, and with the juniors we’re bringing through the ranks as well, I can’t see us jumping someone like him above those in our system, there’s also no true on that.
“Let’s take a look and see once we have a determination on when we play, who we play against, where Free State will fit, then I’m sure all the dominoes will fit,” White said.
Earlier this year, Coetzee was another player said to be on the Bulls’ long-term wish list to bring the highly respected Ulster-based Springbok to Pretoria.
When asked if he was still talking to Coetzee, White replied ‘as often as I can’ along with a wry smile.
“I’m just asking him what it’s like to play in Europe and what it’s like at Ulster,” he added, pausing just before offering a wink before providing more clarity.
“The reality is that the guys have contracts and we are busy trying to build a team and we are in a fortunate situation where we have shareholders who are visionaries and want to do well.
Of course, we would talk about someone who we think will end their contract at a certain time. Legally, he is not allowed to start interacting when they have contracts, so we are not necessarily talking to him, but talking about him with our board members and CEO Edgar Rathbone and making sure that in the long run we can truly create an experience. good and special. team, like Liverpool and Man United, Barcelona and Juventus, but in Pretoria, ‘he concluded with another characteristic joke.
Photo: Steve Haag / Gallo Images
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