Tag Archives: JP Pietersen

Toulon have announced the signing of South Africa’s World Cup winning winger, JP Pietersen on a two-year contract from Leicester Tigers. This move was part of a busy day for both teams. Toulon had lost James O’Connor to Sale Sharks in the morning in a transfer that nobody saw coming. Meanwhile, Gareth Owen had just become a Tiger after leaving …

After an incredibly exciting 22 rounds of Premiership action, there are just three games remaining until we find out who will be crowned champions for the 2016/2017 season.  The Premiership semi-finals take place this weekend and we are set for some mouth-watering action as Exeter Chiefs host recently crowned European Champions, Saracens, while Wasps host Leicester Tigers at the Ricoh …

It’s fair to say that the Leicester Tigers have not enjoyed the best start to the season. After adding Matt Toomua and JP Pietersen to his squad last summer, there was a great deal expected of Richard Cockerill’s side this season. However, the Tigers have failed to find any consistency, while injury has robbed them of Toomua and Manu Tuilagi. If that wasn’t …

Eddie Jones’ England go in search of their first win over the Springboks, and the country’s first victory against South Africa since almost a decade ago. On the other side of this fascinating contest, the men in green are hoping to put their so-far poor 2016 behind them with a galvanising performance at Twickenham. Coach Allister Coetzee has made ten …

Leicester Tigers have been hit with yet more injury trouble. This last last year Leicester Tigers fans were drooling over the prospect of watching Manu Tuilagi and Matt Toomua link up in midfield this season. The Australian international had just come off the back of Australia’s World Cup campaign and was an important member of their Rugby Championship winning squad last season. Consequently, …

We’re now four rounds into the new Aviva Premiership season and the league standings are starting to take shape. Here are five key conclusions we can draw from the weekend’s club rugby action in England. – 1. Wasps worthy leaders Wasps’ spot at the apex of the Aviva Premiership is thoroughly deserved after two superb wins in the East Midlands against …

George Ford could leave Bath at the end of the season. When Bruce Craig took the decision to sack Mike Ford toward the end of last season, rumours surrounding the future of George circulated freely. The Bath Chronicle fuelled such speculation, stating that George Ford had signed a new contract last December on the understanding that his father would remain in …

Although Saracens have replaced the Leicester Tigers as the Premiership’s dominant side, make no mistake about it, my old team remain box office and will maintain their place among England’s elite clubs in the future. Richard Cockerill has assembled a squad filled with attacking intent, and with Aaron Mauger now calling the shots as head coach, the Tigers are playing …

Aviva Premiership Round 2 pairs together last season’s best four teams in a compelling set of fixtures. How will champions Saracens fare at Sandy Park and will Leicester Tigers’ pack prove too strong for Wasps? Here are the top five battles to watch from these two crucial Premiership matches. They’re going to be close… _____ Leicester Tigers v Wasps (Saturday) …

The Aviva Premiership has begun! It’s been an enthralling, fanatic and energetic start to the 2016/17 season. Saracens carried on their dominance over English rugby with the largest win of the weekend against Worcester Warriors. Leicester Tigers produced a record breaking comeback against Gloucester to come out on top at Kingsholm. Meanwhile in Newcastle, the Falcons managed to pick up …

Fresh from signing Ben Betts from Munster, Leicester Tigers appear to be on the verge of capturing Mick McGrath from Leinster. The 25 year old winger was released by the Irish province at the end of last season and has subsequently been offered a trial with the Tigers. After making seven appearances for the blues over the course of two …

The concussion sustained by Durban Sharks out-half Pat Lambie during South Africa’s first test with Ireland last June has prevented a return to action for the 25-year. Having been ruled ineligible for the Sharks playoff run-in for Super Rugby’s culmination after failing to make the minimum required appearances for the season, Lambie’s injury and subsequent inactivity have resulted in his …

In a country where national identity and issues of race and racial equality constantly permeate everyday life, South Africa’s sporting institutions are a fascinating reflection of the nation’s insecurities. Successive South African governments have been constantly pushing a ‘transformation’ agenda, or forcing through fundamental changes in the ethnic make-up of Springboks players, Springbok coaches and administrative staff. Of course, in …

South Africa are losing an increasing number of players to European clubs. Over the past few of seasons, the number of southern hemisphere players signing for European clubs has accelerated massively. Bumper TV deals have allowed clubs from the Top 14 and Premiership pilfer some the game’s biggest names by offering salaries that are simply too good to turn down. …

Richard Cockerill’s coaching involvement at Leicester stretches back to 2005 and he has been at the heart of Leicester’s successes since, but has also overseen many disappointments at the last couple of hurdles as well during many of those years. With former All Black Aaron Mauger coming on board as head coach there has been a change in playing direction …

The pool of talent available to the Springboks has shrunk in recent years. South African rugby finds itself in a difficult position, faced with race quotas and a weak currency at home, and TV rich clubs in Europe, the Springboks have watched a steady stream of players depart from the Cape in recent years. While at one time European clubs were …

Allister Coetzee is only a few weeks into his new role as head coach of the Springboks but he’ll be wishing for more hours in the days ahead to allow him get South Africa up to speed for the Rugby Championship, following his team’s unconvincing series win over Ireland this month. Speaking frankly, Ireland’s injury list prior to their tour was catastrophic and therefore any …

Saracens and Exeter should make it through to the final. What is amazing about the semi final between the Leicester Tigers and Saracens, is that the Tigers have qualified for the previous twelve semi finals and Saracens the last seven. So we have two teams who know exactly how get to this stage of the season and go one step further. …