WP make massive offer for Brussow -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- by Brenden Nel 07 July 2011, 13:44 The Free State Cheetahs are facing a massive fight to keep their Springbok fetcher Heinrich Brussow in Bloemfontein after it emerged that Western Province have made a massive offer for him. Brussow is widely regarded as one of the best fetchers in the world, and is a shoo-in for the World Cup squad, but his contract with the Cheetahs ends at the end of this season and he has become a major target for other sides. Western Province have, according to SuperSport.com’s sources, made an offer between R2.5-million and R3-million for the flanker per year to get him to make the move across to Cape Town. But the Cheetahs are fighting fire with fire, with a consortium of businessmen apparently trying to sway Brussow with a decent offer to stay, working along with the Cheetahs in their negotiations with the flanker. There is also interest from other teams, both in South Africa and abroad for Brussow’s services. Western Province’s offer was set to expire this week, but it is not known if Brussow has made up his mind whether to stay or accept the offer. Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske told SuperSport.com that he was hoping to keep Brussow, but could not make any further comment at this stage. “We have made an offer to him, and we haven’t heard back yet, so at this stage this is all I know,” Drotske told SuperSport.com, “Of course we would want to keep him, he is a world class player and we want him to remain in Bloemfontein.” This is the second Cheetahs player that has been targeted by Western Province, who look set to go on a spending spree to try and bolster their ranks for next year’s Super 15 competition. Cheetahs fullback/wing Riaan Viljoen has also been linked with a move to Cape Town, after reports about private negotiations between him and Western Province Director of coaching Rassie Erasmus. Brussow was not named amongst the 21 injured players injured for the Castle Tri Nations series which starts later this month, with indications that he may play a role before the World Cup starts in the Springbok plans. The flanker has not enjoyed the best of seasons, and was injured three times in the Vodacom Super Rugby series this year.

Maybe Habana hasn't renewed his contract thats why the money can fly around.Also with Flo and Van Zyl off the wage bill there is some cash floating around.

Also heard that Brossouw has already turned the offer down and WP are looking at Deysel.

Read in Die Burger this a.m. that his agent is waiting for overseas offers before he commits to cheetahs stormers or another offer

Maybe they should use some of that cash floating around to offer Sadie a new contract!

Apparantly the bulls are going for him.

I hope he stays.  The boy has immense talent.

In between all this WP lost 2 talented youngsters in Sadie and Engelbrecht to the bloody Fools!!!!!

ok, so we got enough centres - but front rowers???? Always been a problem - he wasnt at his best this season but experience would have gone a long way with the WP/STORMERS youngsters upfront.....

Van der Linde signs with Lions

Johannesburg - Springbok prop CJ van der Linde has joined the Lions on a two-year contract from rivals Western Province, the Golden Lions Rugby Union (GLRU) said on Thursday.

Van der Linde, on duty with the Boks on their Tri-Nations tour, would officially join the Lions on August 1, the union said.

His contract would end on October 31, 2013.

"CJ comes with a wealth of experience and has tremendous value to add," said Lions coach John Mitchell.

"I'm really looking forward to working with a player of CJ's calibre and experience.

"I've always believed in developing youngsters as part of the expansion process and exposing them to experienced mentors such as CJ."

GLRU chief executive Manie Reyneke was also pleased to sign the former Cheetahs player.

"It is no secret that we've been speaking to CJ for the past few weeks," Reyneke said.

"We are both honoured and humbled to have a player of his calibre and vast experience joining the Lions."

Have to agree with you........wasn't at his best but would have been good to keep  to guide the youngsters........and much better than Brok at the moment