Former EP Kings hooker Michael van Vuuren has joined top English club Leicester Tigers for a month-long trial.
It has also been revealed that another Kings player, prop Simon Kerrod, has been signed by Jersey as the fallout from the cash crisis in EP Rugby continues to have repercussions.
Now that the exodus has started, it remains to be seen how many more players decide to leave the troubled union.
Tigers announced that Van Vuuren joined them for a trial period and that he had already represented Tigers A in the Aviva A League
Before his departure Van Vuuren said he was prepared to take EP Rugby to court following the non-payment of his salary.
He said: “Unfortunately the executive is in material breach of my contract and in the circumstances I have no choice but to cancel my contract and exercise my legal remedies”
Van Vuuren represented the Free State Cheetahs in the Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup in 2011 and 2012.
He then joined Stade Français ahead of the 2012-13 Top 14 season, signing a two-year deal until June 2014.
He made his debut for Stade Francais in the French Top 14 as a replacement against Biarritz.
Van Vuuren returned to South Africa to join the Kings prior to the 2014 Currie Cup Premier Division.
He was named on the bench for the Kings’ match against the Blue Bulls in Pretoria.
Van Vuuren left the Kings in December following financial problems and non-payment of salaries.
Kerrod, a highly rated prop, is hoping that his move to England gives his promising career a major boost.
“Simon has progressed through age group and Vodacom Cup rugby in South Africa and has been close to getting an opportunity at Super Rugby level,” Jersey head coach Harvey Biljon said.
“However he is now seeking to develop his game in Europe, and I believe his ambition and potential mean that he can make a real impact for Jersey at Championship level.”
Meanwhile, the Southern Kings, who are now under the control of SA Rugby, are busy preparing for their return to Super Rugby.
The Kings start their Super Rugby campaign with a match against the Sharks at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on February 27.
The players signed so far are: Malcolm Jaer (20, fullback) Siyanda Grey (26, wing/centre), JP du Plessis (24, centre), Stefan Watermeyer (27, centre), Elgar Watts (30, flyhalf), Louis Fouche (25, flyhalf), Shane Gates (23, centre), James Hall (19, scrumhalf) Kevin Luiters (23, scrumhalf), Aidon Davis (21, No8), Junior Pokomela (19, No8), CJ Velleman (20, flank), Stefan Willemse (23, flank), Thembelani Bholi (25, flank), Cornell Hess (26, lock), Steven Sykes (31, lock), Tyler Paul (20 lock/flank), Schalk Ferreira (31, prop), Tom Botha (25, prop), Edgar Marutlulle (27, hooker), Jacobie Adriaanse (30, prop), Schalk Oelofse (27, lock), Jacques Engelbecht (30, loose forward).
Top English club assesses ex-Kings hooker
It has also been revealed that another Kings player, prop Simon Kerrod, has been signed by Jersey as the fallout from the cash crisis in EP Rugby continues to have repercussions.
Now that the exodus has started, it remains to be seen how many more players decide to leave the troubled union.
Tigers announced that Van Vuuren joined them for a trial period and that he had already represented Tigers A in the Aviva A League
Before his departure Van Vuuren said he was prepared to take EP Rugby to court following the non-payment of his salary.
He said: “Unfortunately the executive is in material breach of my contract and in the circumstances I have no choice but to cancel my contract and exercise my legal remedies”
Van Vuuren represented the Free State Cheetahs in the Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup in 2011 and 2012.
He then joined Stade Français ahead of the 2012-13 Top 14 season, signing a two-year deal until June 2014.
He made his debut for Stade Francais in the French Top 14 as a replacement against Biarritz.
Van Vuuren returned to South Africa to join the Kings prior to the 2014 Currie Cup Premier Division.
He was named on the bench for the Kings’ match against the Blue Bulls in Pretoria.
Van Vuuren left the Kings in December following financial problems and non-payment of salaries.
Kerrod, a highly rated prop, is hoping that his move to England gives his promising career a major boost.
“Simon has progressed through age group and Vodacom Cup rugby in South Africa and has been close to getting an opportunity at Super Rugby level,” Jersey head coach Harvey Biljon said.
“However he is now seeking to develop his game in Europe, and I believe his ambition and potential mean that he can make a real impact for Jersey at Championship level.”
Meanwhile, the Southern Kings, who are now under the control of SA Rugby, are busy preparing for their return to Super Rugby.
The Kings start their Super Rugby campaign with a match against the Sharks at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on February 27.
The players signed so far are: Malcolm Jaer (20, fullback) Siyanda Grey (26, wing/centre), JP du Plessis (24, centre), Stefan Watermeyer (27, centre), Elgar Watts (30, flyhalf), Louis Fouche (25, flyhalf), Shane Gates (23, centre), James Hall (19, scrumhalf) Kevin Luiters (23, scrumhalf), Aidon Davis (21, No8), Junior Pokomela (19, No8), CJ Velleman (20, flank), Stefan Willemse (23, flank), Thembelani Bholi (25, flank), Cornell Hess (26, lock), Steven Sykes (31, lock), Tyler Paul (20 lock/flank), Schalk Ferreira (31, prop), Tom Botha (25, prop), Edgar Marutlulle (27, hooker), Jacobie Adriaanse (30, prop), Schalk Oelofse (27, lock), Jacques Engelbecht (30, loose forward).
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