Time to chase the dragon and move on
AS is his wont, Sarel Pretorius is off on another break.
This time, however, the livewire scrumhalf might be leaving the Cheetahs for good as he joins the Newport Gwent Dragons in Wales.
He played his last game for the franchise at Loftus yesterday and now finds himself in the perennially crowded departure lounge at the Cheetahs.
“I’ve been here a long time,” said Pretorius, who also had a stint at the Waratahs.
“I need a new challenge and I’ve got two young boys aged three and 12 weeks. If you want to go overseas you have to go when you can, before the kids go to school. I’ve signed for three years.”
Apart from being a town of cathedrals, which was once home to Percy Montgomery and Gary Teichmann, what does Pretorius know about Newport?
“I hear they have a lot of inexperienced players. They can learn from us and I want to learn from them.
“Brok Harris plays there as does [Rynard] Ligtoring Landman. They determine how the team plays but they haven’t figured out how the backline should play.
“I was told when I get there I can take charge. I’m looking forward to that.”
New brooms tend to bristle in previously hard to reach places and with Franco Smith as new coach at the Cheetahs the franchise is in flux.
“The Free State has turned over a new leaf,” observed Pretorius. “There’s new blood, new voices. Change is always good.
“Franco’s got new plans. He brought some of his Shimlas players with him so there is new energy.
“He’s only been in the job for two weeks but I can see what he’s working towards. I think the guys can look forward to a good Currie Cup.
“Over the last year or so we kicked a lot and played more for territory. By giving the ball away we had to tackle more. They must bring back that style of rugby which will fill the stadium again,” said Pretorius.
Whether Pretorius would have been a fit for Smith’s ambitious new playing style we’ll never know.
“We are losing not just an outstanding player but an outstanding human being,” said Smith. “He is extremely professional and has worked really hard. He practises as hard as he plays and he plays as hard as he practises.
“He tackled the shortcomings in his game with enthusiasm.”
Former Bok and Cheetah Werner Swanepoel went one better. “I think people will remember him as one of those players who was unlucky not to wear the green and gold.
“He provides outstanding service and he’s got that razor sharp break around the fringes. He creates something out of nothing. He’s just one of those guys you have to keep your eye on all the time.”
Pretorius is a realist. He knows his chances of playing for the Boks are as remote as Newport is far.
“Ag, it will always remain a dream but one also has to be realistic. The coach has his men and he backs them. You can only do what you can and control what you can.”
I was told when I get there I can take charge. I’m looking forward to that