Sale Cut a Deal With Van Straaten
April 5: Braam van Straaten, who recently said he was returning to South Africa because he couldn't face another English winter, has now decided to swap Leeds for a place in the sun at Sale.
Braam van Straaten, who recently said he was returning to South Africa because he couldn't face another English winter, has now decided to swap Leeds for a place in the sun at Sale.
Sale yesterday confirmed they had signed the former Springbok back on a two-year contract. The 21 times-capped Van Straaten will leave Leeds on June 1 and then cross the Pennines to join a club that is bolstering its squad for an assault on the Premiership next year. Sale are also chasing Glasgow's Scotland flanker Jason White
The decision of the 31-year-old Van Straaten to stay in England means an end to any lingering ambitions of challenging for a place in the Springboks' World Cup squad this autumn.
"I was planning on going home but I got a good offer from the Sharks. After chatting to my wife about it, we decided to stay," said Van Straaten.
The Sale coach Jim Mallinder added: "Braam approached us through his agent a while ago. The opportunity to sign such a world-class player at a time when our first choice fly-half Charlie Hodgson was due to be away with England at the World Cup was too good to miss. I met Braam, was impressed with his desire to join us, and quickly concluded a deal."
Hodgson has begun an anticipated six-month recuperation period from knee surgery, and if he recovers in time, then a place in England's World Cup squad appears certain. If he travels to Australia with England, then Hodgson would probably not appear for his club until December next season, so Van Straaten's presence will be vital, given that several Premiership games will be played while the World Cup is taking place in October and November.
The Scottish referee Iain Ramage has been named on the IRB international referees' panel in time for a possible place at the World Cup. Last year Scotland were not represented on the list from which match officials are selected for major internationals. Two other Scottish officials, Andy Ireland and David Changleng have been named for the international touch-judge panel.
Otago Highlanders brought Auckland Blues' 100% Super-12 record to an end yesterday with a 22-11 win in Dunedin. The Highlanders' day was marred, though, when they lost the half-backs Danny Lee and Byron Kelleher with concussion and the full-back Paul Williams with a broken leg. The Singapore Sevens on April 26-27 have been postponed because of health fears over the Sars virus.
Sale yesterday confirmed they had signed the former Springbok back on a two-year contract. The 21 times-capped Van Straaten will leave Leeds on June 1 and then cross the Pennines to join a club that is bolstering its squad for an assault on the Premiership next year. Sale are also chasing Glasgow's Scotland flanker Jason White
The decision of the 31-year-old Van Straaten to stay in England means an end to any lingering ambitions of challenging for a place in the Springboks' World Cup squad this autumn.
"I was planning on going home but I got a good offer from the Sharks. After chatting to my wife about it, we decided to stay," said Van Straaten.
The Sale coach Jim Mallinder added: "Braam approached us through his agent a while ago. The opportunity to sign such a world-class player at a time when our first choice fly-half Charlie Hodgson was due to be away with England at the World Cup was too good to miss. I met Braam, was impressed with his desire to join us, and quickly concluded a deal."
Hodgson has begun an anticipated six-month recuperation period from knee surgery, and if he recovers in time, then a place in England's World Cup squad appears certain. If he travels to Australia with England, then Hodgson would probably not appear for his club until December next season, so Van Straaten's presence will be vital, given that several Premiership games will be played while the World Cup is taking place in October and November.
The Scottish referee Iain Ramage has been named on the IRB international referees' panel in time for a possible place at the World Cup. Last year Scotland were not represented on the list from which match officials are selected for major internationals. Two other Scottish officials, Andy Ireland and David Changleng have been named for the international touch-judge panel.
Otago Highlanders brought Auckland Blues' 100% Super-12 record to an end yesterday with a 22-11 win in Dunedin. The Highlanders' day was marred, though, when they lost the half-backs Danny Lee and Byron Kelleher with concussion and the full-back Paul Williams with a broken leg. The Singapore Sevens on April 26-27 have been postponed because of health fears over the Sars virus.
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