Bulls’ Visser among new signings for Southern Kings
BULLS utility back Jurgen Visser is expected to be the first of several new signings for the Southern Kings as they prepare for their return to Super Rugby next year.
Sources say the 26-year-old Visser is already in Port Elizabeth and will join the Kings squad when they begin their preseason training for what promises to be a tough year.
Visser represented Western Province in 2010 before playing for the Blue Bulls in the domestic Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup competitions and for the Bulls in Super Rugby.
His Super Rugby experience could prove vital when the Kings open their campaign with a match against the Sharks at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on February 27.
Though the Kings have not released the names of any new players, they have said which players will not be retained.
They include scrumhalfs Enrico Acker and Jaco Grobler.
Two flyhalfs, who played a part in the Kings’ Currie Cup campaign, have also left.
Long-serving George Whitehead and Karlo Aspeling were among the players whose contracts were not renewed.
In other player movements, Marlou van Niekerk is on loan to the Pumas and Jan Uys has been given an early release to play overseas.
Others whose contracts have not been renewed are Eben Barnard, Albe de Swardt, Samora Fihlani, Andile Jho, Paul Schoeman, Kuhle Sonkosi and Claude Tshidibi.
Paul Schoeman, one of the Kings’ star players, has signed for the Free State Cheetahs.
Earlier this year, Kings president Cheeky Watson said his team wanted to sign at least six new players in key positions ahead of their return to Super Rugby.
It is believed adventurous Sharks fullback SP Marais will rejoin the Southern Kings.