Wian on loan to Munster
6 Nov 2009
Cheetahs loosehead Wian du Preez has signed a two-month deal with Irish club Munster.
Du Preez was the form loosehead in the Currie Cup this season and was part of the Cheetahs’ front row that was considered the best scrumming force in the competition.
However, he was a shock exclusion from the Springbok squad for the end-of-year tour.
Munster, who are struggling with a prop injury crisis, have now approached Du Preez to help bolster their front row.
‘The deal has been sealed and I will be leaving next weekend for two months,’ Du Preez told keo.co.za. ‘It will be a great experience. In the last three years, Munster have won the European Cup twice. So it’s good to know I’ll be playing for one of Europe’s powerhouses.’
Du Preez added that he is looking forward to featuring alongside players like Springbok centre Jean de Villiers.
‘It will be great to meet up with an excellent player like Jean. There are also many British and Irish Lions and other internationals in the squad, so I will learn a lot during my time there.’
Forwards coach Barend Pieterse said he is happy Du Preez has received this opportunity.
‘Wian is already a good player and he will only get better,’ said Pieterse. ‘It’s a shame he didn’t get a Springbok call-up, but this will be a great experience for him.’
Du Preez is expected to feature in five European Cup matches and three Irish League games. The prop will return on the 25 January, in time for the Cheetahs’ Super 14 preparations.
By Gareth Duncan
265 Comments
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6 Nov 2009, 17:51 pm
#249 grant10: Bulls got reversed too, they’re the best in the world. Boks scrum never retreated that I saw, collapses, technical offences but never put back. I think you focus too much on it but you know that. Let’s see how they get on the EOYT.
6 Nov 2009, 19:52 pm
#246 Big Hit: I think it’s a technical offense to be pushed backwards continually.
Wian. You go boet. You’re currently the best Loosehead in the country and will more than “hold your own”. Persuade them to take your buddy WP Nel – currently the best tighthead in SA.
6 Nov 2009, 20:09 pm
#252 SodaJoe: not sure that’s a great idea, you might end up seeing them capped for Ireland
6 Nov 2009, 20:15 pm
#253 Big Hit:
No way, the Irish have got some national pride, unlike England. If the Gurkhas were any good at rugby or cricket, they’d have been given citizenship years ago.
6 Nov 2009, 20:17 pm
#254 David: stay dreaming, I can give you a long list of naturalised ‘Irishmen’ who have played for the Irish rugby team if you want? Your very own Brett Wilkinson set to become the latest.
6 Nov 2009, 20:18 pm
Whats up with the Beast and his passport? From what I can tell,he’s in the UK without a SA passport and it’s been suggested that he should be withdrawn from the Bok squad.
6 Nov 2009, 20:20 pm
#256 Rage:
forgot it at home?
seeking asylum?
could be a number of reasons
6 Nov 2009, 20:26 pm
@charo…lol,no I think its much more complicated than that bru…I just caught a glimpse of the story in the 7h headlines.Surprised theres no thread on it yet,so ja maybe it’s no big deal…
6 Nov 2009, 20:29 pm
#256 Rage: He is still here Rage. Test Boks only leave on Tuesday night.
6 Nov 2009, 20:41 pm
@ Puma.Ja you’re right! My bad…but I didnt get the full story ..so Im really not sure what the deal is.think I should google it:)
6 Nov 2009, 20:49 pm
I’m not sure if we’re allowed to post links on here but just google ‘tendai beast passport’ and you’ll find the full story on the sabc news site.
6 Nov 2009, 20:53 pm
#261 Rage: Phil Vickery will not be pleased
6 Nov 2009, 21:12 pm
#261 Rage: I’ll do it for you:
SA Rugby under pressure to withdraw ‘The Beast’ November 06 2009 , 6:57:00
One of the icons of South African rugby is becoming a political pawn. Pressure has been applied on SA Rugby to withdraw Tendai “The Beast” Mtawarira from the Springbok squad because he’s not in possession of a South African passport.
The Zimbabwean-born loose-head prop who made his international debut in June last year, has already played 19 tests for the Springboks. His nickname echoes in stadia across the world whenever he’s in possession on the front foot. The Beast became eligible to play for the Springboks last year, having stayed and played in Durban for the period required by the International Rugby Board. He travelled the world representing South Africa – but with a Zimbabwean passport.
According to members of the Springbok management, the Beast’s place in the squad for the end-of-year tour to Europe is now in jeopardy because of his Zimbabwean connections. And there has been a request from SA Rugby to the Minister of Sport to assist with the passport application process. “If they correct to say the beast is a citizen of Zimbabwe then they are at fault with their own regulation to have a citizen of another country playing for another country – they know that,” says Sports Minister Makhenkesi Stofile. However, Stofile has denied that he wants Mtawarira withdrawn from the squad. “We cannot tell them who to put on the squad and who to take off, but we can advise them on the laws of the country and the laws of rugby,” says Stofile.
SA Rugby president Oregan Hoskins said “no comment” when he was questioned. Mtawarira and the test squad will assemble in Johannesburg on Monday before leaving for France the next day.
6 Nov 2009, 21:13 pm
I believe Sephaka is available too? John Hayes is banned for 2 months.
Surprised there are no takes for Sephaka, he certainly a better TH than Mujati, by few miles
6 Nov 2009, 21:19 pm
#263 kaksioek:
Pure fabrication
The Beast should not be there in the first place but not for that kind of problem
nevertheless, those guys get away with anything, fellow Zim Mujati just got away from a two years ban
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