Springbok Lood de Jager jumps Cheetahs ship, signs for the Bulls
The Cheetahs are probably used to seeing their top players leaving the franchise. Think back to the days of Henry Honiball and Andre Joubert, who established themselves as formidable international players in the 1990s and were promptly snapped up by the Sharks. The trend continued for the next 20 years, with players rising to prominence in Bloemfontein, only to be lured away to Durban or Pretoria. Sure, there were exceptions. Adriaan Strauss went the other way, but was soon reeled back in by the Bulls. It's no surprise that Lood de Jager would be on the radar for other franchises and it seems there was a bit of a bidding war for the big man. The Bulls certainly need De Jager. Two of their locks – Grant Hattingh and RG Snyman – are on the long-term injury list, and their other big men are not in the same league as De Jager. – David O'Sullivan
From Sport24
Cape Town – The Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd on Tuesday confirmed that Lood de Jager has agreed terms with them and will join the Bulls on November 1, 2016 on a 12-month contract.
The SA Rugby Player of the Year for 2015 is currently playing his trade in Bloemfontein, where he has played in 40 matches for the Cheetahs in the Super Rugby tournament thus far.
The 23-year old also has 20 test matches for the Springboks to his credit.
Commenting on the signing, BBC High Performance Manager, Xander Janse van Rensburg, expressed his delight with the news.
"This is great news for us, not only because Lood is one of the best locks in the world, but also the fact that he sees the Vodacom Bulls as a team that will enhance his career and ambitions. This is a compliment to what we are trying to achieve and a massive boost to our vision to build something special again in Pretoria," Janse van Rensburg said.
De Jager said he was keen to join the Bulls, but still has unfinished business in Bloemfontein.
"I am pretty excited about my future with the Bulls and what they want to achieve in future. That said, I am still committed to the Cheetahs till the end of the season and will give my all in playing for them. They have been instrumental in the way my career developed and I want to thank them in the best way possible – by giving my all every time I take to the field for the Cheetahs." – Sport24
Source: http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/lood-de-jager-to-join-bulls-20160705
Cheetahs lose Lood de Jäger
Cape Town – The Cheetahs have wished lock Lood de Jager well in his future endeavours after it was confirmed on Tuesday that he will turn out for the Bulls from November 2016.
De Jager played his first Super Rugby match for the franchise against the Sharks in 2013, bursting on the scene aged just 20. He went onto feature in 17 matches during the year before making his Currie Cup debut later that season.
He quickly earned his first Springbok cap in 2014 as a substitute against Wales in Durban.
"I really learned a lot here and made lots of friends. It is hard for me to leave and I am really grateful towards Free State Rugby for everything that they have done for me over the last three and a half years," said De Jager.
https://twitter.com/RobbieKruse/status/750347748566859778
"Free State Rugby really meant a lot for me in my rugby career. They gave me a chance when I came from nowhere. I didn't play Craven Week. I only played for PUK and the Leopards. At the end of 2012 they gave me the opportunity to train with the Super Rugby group when I was a nobody."
De Jager was thankful to the two coaches who had guided his career in Bloemfontein.
"I also learned a lot from the two coaches, Naka Drotske and Franco Smith. They each had a different approach but I have a lot of respect for both of them. I think that they both did and are doing well in their situations and I have a lot of respect for them on and from the field."
"I would like to thank 'oom' Harold Verster, the managing director and the director of rugby Rory Duncan for always being good to me."
Although the Cheetahs will forever remain etched in his memory, De Jager was looking forward to a new challenge with the Bulls.
"It will be a new chapter in my life and I'm looking forward to going to the Bulls. The Bulls are a union with a rich history and I hope to do my part for them." – Sport24
Source: http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/cheetahs-wish-de-jager-well-20160705