The Emirates Lions have welcomed Springbok Sevens star JC Pretorius and veteran hooker Michael van Vuuren into their ranks with immediate effect.
Pretorius, who finished his Sevens career at the end of the Cape Town Sevens, linked up with the Lions this week and will run out at openside flank for them when selected while the well travelled Van Vuuren will be a boost for their lineout and scrumming stocks and is expected to play a big part in the season.
Assistant coach Albert van der Berg was very keen to see them in action and said it was great to have them in the side.
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“It’s a great add-on for us, and JC was brilliant in the Sevnes where he is an excellent fetcher and a liniout options and has a massive workrate in him. He has joined us yesterday and will be slowly integrated into the system,” Van der Berg said.
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“Michael brings a lot of experience and is a senior player who will bring a lot more calmness. He will also be valuable with a little more inside info in playing against the overseas teams as he has played a lot more in Europe.”
Van Vuuren previously played for the EP Kings and Toyota Cheetahs before moving abroad, where he played for Stade Francais, Leicester Tigers, Bath, London Irish, London Scottish, Northampton Saints, Bedford Blues and Wasps before returning to SA.
Meanwhile, it seems star centre Henco van Wyk won’t be considered for this weekend’s derby against the Cell C Sharks.
Van Wyk came off the field in the match against Stade Francais with an elbow injury and while Van der Berg said it “wasn’t as serious as previously thought”, the sound advice would be not to rush him with a long season ahead and it is likely he will be back in the side in a week or two.
There wasn’t as good news for Ruan Dreyer, whose hamstring injury will see him out for eight to 12 weeks, while Francke Horn is still on the recovery road with an 8 week injury as well.