Riaan Viljoen to part ways with Griquas at end of 2011 ABSA Currie Cup – Rugby news
South African provincial side, Griquas, suffered another blow as their experienced full back, Riaan Viljoen, has decided to part ways with the club at the end of their 2011 ABSA Currie Cup campaign.
Officials at the club have confirmed the departure of Viljoen from the club in a statement released on their website on Wednesday, July 27. Viljoen will join the Natal Sharks at the end of the current season.
Griqualand West Rugby Union Chief Executive Officer, Arni van Rooyen, has expressed confidence that his club is capable of filling the gap created after the departure of their senior players. Up to now, four Griquas players have announced their plans to
pursue their rugby careers elsewhere.
van Rooyen further added, “In the past we had to find replacements when senior players left and we will do that again.” The CEO has also denounced the increase in compensation for players in order to retain them at the club. He said, “We have a limited budget
and have to stick to that, it’s as simple as that.”
The 28-year-old Viljoen is a utility back for the Griquas and has played at scrum half, fly half, winger, centre and full back positions. In the current season, he is playing as full back for the Griquas side.
Carletonville Viljoen is a Klerksdorp High School product. He has also represented the Cheetahs, side in the in South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby’s (SANZAR) Super Rugby competition.
Viljoen is also a former Springboks international player. He made his debut for the Springboks during their winter tour of the European countries. He made his international debut against Italy and played in two touring games.
In Addition to the Viljoen, Griquas will be without the services of their captain and fly-half, Naas Olivier, scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius and flanker Davon Raubenheimer. Olivier will be joining the Italian professional rugby union club, Aironi, while Pretorius
will move down under to join, New South Wales Waratahs. Raubenheimer has signed a two-year deal to play for the Free State Cheetahs. Raubenheimer will join the former Griquas centre, Barry Geel, at Bloemfontein based Cheetahs.
Meanwhile, all four have been named in the Griquas next 2011 Currie Cup encounter against the Pumas. Griquas will take on the Pumas at Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit on Friday, July 29. This will be Griquas third match of this year’s Currie Cup tournament.
Griquas squad for their Friday’s encounter includes,
Starting XV: 15. Riaan Viljoen, 14. Richard Lawson,13. Wilmaure Louw, 12. Matthew Rosslee, 11. Bjorn Basson, 10. Naas Olivier (C), 9. Sarel Pretorius, 8. Leon Karemaker, 7. Davon Raubenheimer, 6. Rohan Kitshoff, 5. Cecil Kemp, 4. Frikkie
Spies, 3. Jacobie Adriaanse, 2. Ryno Barnes, 1. Steph Roberts.
Replacements: 16. Simon Westraadt, 17. Jean Botha, 18. Michael Passaportis/Johan van Deventer, 19. Burger Schoeman, 20. Marnus Hugo, 21. Barry Geel, 22. Rocco Jansen.
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