Lions’ pride re-groups
Dick Muir has met with the Lions players for the first time this week ahead of their Super 14 preparations.
In juggling his responsibilities with the Lions and the Springboks, Muir met the Lions players on Monday ahead of their first group training session of the year. Muir, the Lions’ new director of coaching and Super 14 coach, will fly out on Tuesday with the Bok dirt-trackers side.
The Lions have convened with an expanded 50-man squad ahead of the southern hemisphere tournament, that will be enlarged further by Heinke van der Merwe, Earl Rose (Springboks), Draad Linde, Rynard Landman, Thabo Mamojele (all Leopards), as well as Hannes Franklin and Marius Coetzer (Pumas) – who will join the squad later this month and in December.
Louis Ludik (three months), Jano Vermaak (two to three months), Earl Lewis (two to three weeks), Gert Muller (six to eight weeks), Tonderai Chavhanga (three to four weeks) and Johan Snyman (three to four months) are all currently injured or undergoing rehab.
Meanwhile, as reported on keo.co.za last week, it was also confirmed that Johan Ackermann will take up his role as forwards coach from this week. While Muir is away, Ackermann, Hans Coetzee and fitness coach Dr Gerhard Jordaan will look after the squad.
Lions training squad –
Forwards: JC Janse van Rensburg, Kevin Buys, Wayne Swart, Lawrence Sephaka, Ross Geldenhuys, Charl de Plessis, Hans van Dyk, Derek Harwood, Nico Luus, Wouter Moore, Franco van der Merwe, Jannes Labuschagne, Jacques Lombaard, Jeffrey Taljaard, Willem Alberts, Cobus Grobbelaar, Jonathan Mokuena, Derick Minnie, Johan van Deventer, Robert Kruger, Danie Crous, Thuliphatu Marole, Warren Whiteley, Justin Wheeler, Stephan Kruger, Mina Nassif.
Backs: Alex Kock, Chris Jonck, Herkie Kruger, Ruan Boshoff, Divan Kotze, Jody Rose, Allistair Siegelaar, Dusty Noble, Michael Killian, Henno Mentz, Johan Jackson, Wigan Pekeur, Jannie Boshoff, Justin St Jerry, Pieter Engelbrecht, Alwyn Hollenbach, Doppies la Grange, Rouan Cloete, Shandre Frolick, Warren van Rooyen, Walter Venter, Marius Delport, Deon van Rensburg, Burton Francis.
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Come now Lions, it’s been a very dry decade for your loyal supporters. Get your act together!!
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:44 pm
to all bulls fans please go read the story on suparugby to see how lucky you are to be the “best” provincial team!!!
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:47 pm
ja iam tired of seeing an empty ellis park its a great ground with great history and its time to turn things around
i hope **** is the man to do it
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Louis Ludik is staying. Willem seems to be going to Durbs.
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Not sure how you can focus on doing two jobs at once.
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:58 pm
#4 WilladieLeeu: you sure about that??
news i got yesterday was both still very intent on going to durban
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:59 pm
I hope Burton Francis is the answer at flyhalf. I can’t sit through another season of Herkie highlights.
And why don’t we have a decent hooker yet? Surely with all the hookers at the Bulls (Kuun, Botha, Ralepele and Maku) we should have bought one. Preferably Bandise Maku.
And what happened to Todd Clever? I thought he was in for another season.
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:00 pm
#4 WilladieLeeu: Where did you get that bit of news? I will be ecstatic once Willem comes over to the Sharks we need another physical player. But if Ludick doesn’t come I wouldn’t be ecstatic, but it makes an opening for Lambie, who is going to be a star, would hate him to leave the Sharks ’cause of lack of oportunity.
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:01 pm
There’s a player called Draad Linde? Who gives them these names?
I mean we have guys like Os, Bakkies, Baksteen, Draad etc LOL
I’m glad **** Muir has hit the road running. I’m curious to see who our new signings will be. Willa do you know anything on that front?
#4 WilladieLeeu: Bitter sweet. Alberts is a big loss.
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:05 pm
#9 Jozi: I reckon they go down to Pennypinchers and pick names for themselves from the building material section.
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:08 pm
#8 Sharksgirl: Agreed, I was very impressed with Lambie, in the u21 final, that boy oozes talent!!
Damn thought that Jacques Lombard and Mokuuna were still with Griquas, and therefore available for the S14 squad!! I was quite impressed with lombard in the CC…
Man, can’t wait for the silly season to end, and all the squads to be finalised!!
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:12 pm
#11 Cheetah 4 Eva: hiyas 4neverrrrrrrrr
hope ya doing good
mate i see the brussow issue is still about him moving to durban
and there is a talk of 2 million payment to buy him out from his contract with cheetahs
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:12 pm
#11 Cheetah 4 Eva: And surprise surprise he is a KZN Boy – Michael HOuse boy
I also cannot wait till we all know what the S14 Squad will be. All these rumours that so and so is staying that one is going, this other one is coming are getting to me, I just whant to know what the squads for S14 will be!
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:13 pm
other news that came to light is plumtree not wanting to coach curriecup etc after 2010
so next season could be his last
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Lambie is a star!! Ludik and Alberts have both signed “pre contracts” with the sharks a few weeks back!!
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:14 pm
#12 sharks_lover: Sharks Howdy mate where did you get that news from? Darren was hinting at it again yesterday on ECR.
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:15 pm
#14 sharks_lover: More rumours SHarks, I read in one of the Sites that Mitchell was wanting to come to the Sharks, but was contracted till end of S14 2010 with the Force all this is planned I am telling you watch the space. Plum leaves to be replaced by Mitchell.
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:16 pm
#10 katman:
I was thinking it may have been the “oom” when the laaities were still growing up but still….those names are funny.
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:16 pm
#12 sharks_lover: Whatever the sharks paid for Hernandes they should invest twice as much to get Brussouw, send Botes on an early retirement !!
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:18 pm
#15 ShaunMichaels: How binding is a “pre-contract”? was never very good with contract law, always paid more attention to the Criminal side
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:19 pm
#17 Sharksgirl: probably
hello my friend hope you are well
can you read afrikaans??if so ill get you the article lol
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:20 pm
#19 ShaunMichaels: boet i agree
if ludick and alberts are to go to the sharks the only problem i still see is at center
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Whooaaa stop the bus….wait a minute you sharky gate crashers this is a lions thread.
I know there’s like 5 or six of us on Keo but still…. please let us have our moment, we don’t get too many threads you know
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:21 pm
#21 sharks_lover: Yes can read and understand Afrikaans very well, just don’t speak it ’cause my pronunciation is so bad it sounds like anything other than Afrikaans
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:23 pm
#23 Jozi:
My apologies Jozi didn’t mean to gate crash your party 
But we have common ground here, we have taken what seems like two of your players, and you took our best coach :mr green:
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Haaie wil glo R2 m. aanbied vir Brüssow
2009-10-31 04:25
Artikel opsies
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Jou selfoon Jou Facebook-profiel Christo Buchner
JOHANNESBURG. – Speel Heinrich Brüssow vandag sy laaste wedstryd vir die Vrystaat-Cheetahs?
Die geluide uit Durban word al hoe meer dat hierdie sterflank van die Cheetahs en die Springbokke aanstaande seisoen vir die Haaie in die Super 14-rugbyreeks gaan uitdraf.
Uit die Haai-kamp word daar egter nog soos die graf geswyg oor die vraag of die tjekboek uitgehaal is om Brüssow volgende jaar in die Haaitenk te kry.
Mnr. Rudolph Straeuli, wat betrokke is by die kontraktering van spelers by die Haaie, wou hom nie uitlaat oor Brüssow se moontlike skuif na Durban toe nie.
“Daar sal volgende week meer duidelikheid wees oor die kontraktering van spelers,” is al wat hy wou sê.
Tog word daar uit Durban verneem dat Brüssow glo onlangs daar was om samesprekings met die Haaie se rugbybase te voer.
Hy het wel nog ’n kontrak met die Cheetahs wat hom tot die einde van aanstaande seisoen (2010) in Bloemfontein sal hou, maar die Haaie is blykbaar selfs bereid om tot R2 miljoen te betaal om Brüssow uit sy kontrak te koop.
Daar is selfs voor die Curriebeker-halfeindstryd twee weke gelede genoem dat hy dalk op pad na die Haaie toe kan wees, en vandeesweek het daardie gerugte weer kop uitgesteek.
Die KwaZulu-Natallers sal dalk ook aanstaande seisoen ’n nuwe Curriebeker-afrigter moet soek, want John Plumtree is glo nie meer lus om by die Super 14- én Curriebekerspan betrokke te wees nie.
- Volksblad
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:25 pm
#22 sharks_lover: yeah mate, we very thin there!! Since Barritt left the defence co-ordination has been up to sh*t !!
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Anyway guys I will come back on line later on, I need to make my way home, it looks like another big storm in what is meant to be sunny KZN
Ciao till later
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:27 pm
there is the lastest sharksgirl hun
plumtree it seems only wants to coach super 14 and then have someone else lke rassie does coach the currie cup
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:28 pm
#27 ShaunMichaels: how sure are you about ludick and alberts??
lions seem to be saying they staying here
so many rumours
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:29 pm
#25 Sharksgirl: Just kidding, if you leave it to us we’ll be lucky to go past 20 posts I reckon, unless we start another subject that has something to do with Earl Rose
Seriously I was just kidding blog away guys.
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:29 pm
#29 sharks_lover: Thank you very much Sharks_L, I always say where there is smoke there is a fire. Lets hope! But what worries me is that our backline seems to forget what to do with the ball once they can see the try line. I wish we could get a seriously good backline coach!
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:32 pm
#31 Jozi: No Jozi I knew you were joking not to worry
Just miss Muir at the Sharks (never thought I would, he used to P me off when he moved the players all over the backline) Our backline no longer knows what to do with the ball once the forwards have passed it to them 
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:33 pm
#30 sharks_lover: Its nearly a done deal, they both had to sign a contract saying they were gonna sign, Lions say their contracts arent the same as Fourie but other sources say they exactly the same! Time will tell, Sharks seem determined to bring them to Durbs
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Anyway will really catch up with you guys as soon as I get home. See you guys later
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:07 pm
#7 katman:
well if the news is to be believed that alberts and fourie are leaving, there’s buggeral being signed, i’m afraid even **** Muir cant work miracles without any big names.
same old, same old i reckon.
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:09 pm
#36 cab: Ja fukkit. At one stage we were getting Maku and Shaw and Waylon. Too much loose journalism for my liking.
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:14 pm
#37 katman:
haha, yes it sounded like things were looking up, as far as i can see, its only getting worse. the other one thats dissapeared is mostert and van zyl who both looked promising.
in fact, with the cheetahs looking better, i’m struggling to see who we gonna beat at all next year?
wooden spoon alweer
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Hi Guys
I am a Bulls Supporter. I just want to give you some info as to where the Lions are now. We were in the same situation a few years ago.
1. Get rid of the coach. Mistake
2. Try to get a quick fix. Mistake
3. Get rid of the rott at the top. GOOD !
4. Get a Rugby Player in the top job, Kevin de Klerk. GOOD !
5. Get a coach with a track record. GOOD !
I think that the Lions will start their comeback next season. Please guys support your team in bad and good times. That is what the Bulls supporters do. It will not happen once. It will come step by step.
Best of luck to you !!!!
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:36 pm
#39 Bl@de Runner: Thank you….any advice on where I can get good red/white body paint?
As long as the foundations of success are being laid properly, I’m a happy chappy.
Success doesn’t come overnight and at this stage, I don’t have high expectations but we need to start nurturing the young talent we’ve got.
I saw our U/21 playing in the final of some competition this past weekend so clearly there are decent young players at the union and **** Muir as the DOR has a responsibility of making sure that those guys come through the system and eventually play in the senior team.
I also hope that the compulsive shoppers from the coast will keep their grubby little paws off our players.
I’m off to gym now, Koebaai.
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:44 pm
#12 sharks_lover: Jip, well if that is the case so e it!! Brussow is hot property, and deserves to earn some tom…. be sad to see him in the drab black and white lol, rather than bright orange, but thats the nature of pro rugby, we will just unearth a new gem lol
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:49 pm
#39 Bl@de Runner: Or you get people who get sick of shouting for their team that is not winning and now they shout for the bulls.
Those types are lower than crayfish sh*t.
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:57 pm
If Heinke does transform into a decent tighthead he and Kevin Buys will be a huge force to be reckoned with!
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:03 pm
#43 Lions_Soutie: Jip, He looked like quite a monster!!
Will be good to see some more options at tighthead nationally!!
Saw the one prop for the Cheetahs u21 weighing 138Kg!!! Steph Hamman!!
Man that is a lot of beef
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:29 pm
It so unfair that a guy like Cobus Grobelaar and Willem Albert who play their guts out every weekend are ignored by the selectors and then no-name brands are selected ahead of them!
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:45 pm
#6 sharks_lover:
Very sure, LL def staying. Alberts waiting for counter offer.
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:51 pm
#42 wp_boytjie:
You can’t blame them for wanting to enjoy a bit of the good life.
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:52 pm
#44. Heinke might not be that heavy but I reckon he may have a body fat percentage lower than Beast’s. Was never a PDV first choice because he sticks to whats props should do!
I’d like to see these props against the ‘much vaunted’ Wp front row. Lol!
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:54 pm
We need a decent hooker, preferably one that doesn’t bite:)
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:40 pm
#47 Tacitus: I take it you refer to the cheap gratification of backing an already-winning team. Because you surely can’t be referring to the suffocating Pretoria lifestyle. I know. I lived in that dump.
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:42 pm
#49 Lions_Soutie: We’ve had a prop that bites, an now a hooker that bites. Gives new meaning to being mauled by lions.
November 3rd, 2009 at 10:42 pm
I too cannot wait for the final squad to be named. What is missing is a good hooker but I think that **** is on the ball and will see that we get what we want.
November 3rd, 2009 at 10:46 pm
oh and ROAR!
November 4th, 2009 at 1:10 am
#9 Jozi: I suppose its a good thing Draad’s surname is not Trekker then?
#20 Sharksgirl: There is no such a thing – you either have a contract or not.
Agreeing to agree is just stupid.
Agreeing to talk is a waste of time.
You state up front thatnothing is finalised until it is in writing, you negotiate all the terms and conditions, and you sign the contract. Klaar.
November 4th, 2009 at 3:29 am
A whole lot of froth in that squad give or take a few… going to need Merlin himself to do anything with that bunch!
November 4th, 2009 at 7:29 am
#54 SjamBok: THank you Sjambok, I thought it was a bit crazy!
I just wish they would name all the squads and be done with it! I hate all this uncertainty
November 4th, 2009 at 7:45 am
#52 RedLion: yes, can’t beat a good hooker
November 4th, 2009 at 7:47 am
#42 wp_boytjie: Agree with you 100% You stick with your team through thick and thin, no matter how many times they choke
otherwise you are just a fair weather fan and which team needs those?
November 4th, 2009 at 8:29 am
#51 katman:
Allegedly……
November 4th, 2009 at 9:18 am
#57 Big Hit: You can, but it costs extra!
November 4th, 2009 at 9:19 am
Very little to be excited about with this squad.
November 4th, 2009 at 9:38 am
#54 SjamBok: Bwahahahahaha…oh dear, maybe just maybe that’s where it originated from.
November 4th, 2009 at 10:11 am
I was just pulling Sharks’ legs.
LL and WA will go to arbitration.
November 4th, 2009 at 10:14 am
#63 WilladieLeeu:
You caught this Shark head hook and sinker 
November 4th, 2009 at 10:17 am
#63 WilladieLeeu: Shame on you Willa. You have now been relegated to the Keo scribes’ category of “impeccable sources”
November 4th, 2009 at 10:17 am
#63 WilladieLeeu: gm willa gaan dit goed??
and
i knew it hehehe the 2 players have even signed pre contracts with the sharks, all one can do now is wait and see , let the lat take its course
they had both been very intent on moving
you know whats also funny?
i am on the committee of the official sharks supporters club in pretoria , and johan ackermann is a member of the committee too
and he gonna help coach lions now , but i know where his heart lies
November 4th, 2009 at 10:19 am
#64 Sharksgirl:
sharksgirl
i can tell you now he caught ed die leeu too big time
November 4th, 2009 at 10:26 am
#67 sharks_lover: He he, so Willadieleeu has caught a Shark and a Lion with one hook
November 4th, 2009 at 10:29 am
#68 Sharksgirl: lol yup
hook line and stinker
November 4th, 2009 at 10:41 am
How about a trial between these two teams
15 Earl Lewis - Alwyn Hollembach
14 Tondarai Chavhanga - Dusty Noble
13 Deon van Rensburg - Justin St Jerry
12 Doppies La Grange - Pieter Engelbrecht
11 Michael Killian - Johan Jackson
10 Earl Rose - Burton Francis
9 Jano Vermaak - Chris Jonck
8 Jonathan Mokuena - Derrick Minnie
7 Thabo Mamojele - Justin Wheeler
6 Serge Morole - Johan van Deventer
5 Franco vd Merwe - Draad Linde
4 Jacques Lombard - Joe Snyman
3 Kevin Buys - Ross Geldenhuys
2 Bandise Maku - Hans van Dyk
1 JC Jans van Rensburg - Lawrence Sephaka
Cobus Grobelaar not considered, team captain and he picks himself, same applies to Heinke vd Merwe
November 4th, 2009 at 11:29 am
# 70
bandise maku ?
no willem alberts ?
November 4th, 2009 at 11:34 am
#71 jci: ludick and alberts going to the sharks
November 4th, 2009 at 11:35 am
#71 JCI
Firstly Maku is 4th choice at the Bulls therefore he’s surplus to requirements, Willem Alberts and Louis Ludik are reportedly on their way to the Sharks, besides even if they were available I wouldn’t risk them is a trial match.
November 4th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
soda here is info on warren whiteley
Full Name Warren Roger
Surname Whiteley
Height 192
Weight 101
Birth Date 18 September 1987
Birth City Durban
Marital Status Single
Favourite Film Gladiator
Favourite Music Everything
Favourite Food Pasta
Primary School Dirkie Uys Primary
Secondary School Glenwwod High
Tertiary Education Sharks Academy