WEST AFRICAN PROP JOINS KINGS ON TRIAL
Kuate latest foreign player in provisional PRO14 squad
STURDY Cameroonian prop Thierry Kuate has become the latest member of the Southern Kings foreign legion as they prepare for their new PRO14 campaign. Kuate’s arrival in Port Elizabeth for a two-week trial followed the news that Fijian utility player Meli Rokoua had been included in a provisional 29-man squad.
SA Rugby said they had given Kuate (College Rovers, Durban) and Clinton Wagman (Selkirk RFC, Scotland and Progress RFC in George) the opportunity to play for a PRO14 contract.
Both players began a two-week trial with the Kings yesterday.
In 2013 and 2014, Kuate played club rugby and provincial rugby in South Africa, and was later contracted to play for the Waratahs in Australia.
He later signed for French club Carcassonne for 2016 and 2017.
Kuate was born in Bandjoun, Cameroon. He travelled to South Africa in 2012 and he settled in Johannesburg, where he joined club side Raiders
He represented them in the 2013 Saru Community Cup, making four appearances as they finished third in Pool C of the competition.
In 2014, Kuate had a trial at Nelspruit-based side the Pumas and featured for them in a preseason friendly, but instead joined Kempton Park-based side the Falcons.
He made his first-class debut for the Falcons against the Pumas, playing off the bench in a 6-26 defeat in the opening round of the 2014 Vodacom Cup, and also started their next home match, a 29-40 defeat to the Leopards.
When Australian Super Rugby side the Waratahs toured South Africa during the 2014 season, Kuate was invited to train with the side and joined the team for the remainder of their tour in Durban and Cape Town.
Waratahs coach Michael Cheika offered Kuate a contract to play with the Waratahs and, despite a difficult visa application process and a contract offer from the Sharks, he accepted the offer and made the move to Sydney, joining the Randwick club for the Shute Shield competition.
Wagman, a wing, was first involved in provincial-level youth rugby when he represented the Golden Lions at the 2006 U16 Grant Khomo Week.
In 2007, he represented the Griffons, both at the U18 Craven Week and in the U19 Provincial Championship competition.
Wagman returned to the Golden Lions to represent them at the 2008 U18 Craven Week and then played for the Leopards in the U19 and U21 Provincial Championship competitions in 2009 and 2010.
In 2011, Wagman returned to George to join the SWD Eagles.
He made his debut during the 2011 Vodacom Cup competition, coming on as a half-time substitute against his former team Leopards.
Provisional squad:
JC Astle, Masixole Banda, Tienie Burger, Pieter de Klerk, Bobby de Wee, Pieter-Steyn Wet, Martin Dreyer, Schalk Ferreira, Justin Forwood, Harlon Klaasen, Berton Klaasen, Ruaan Lerm, Michael Makase, Lubabalo Mtyanda, Andisa Ntsila, Schalk Oelofse, Yaw Penxe, Sarel Pretorius, Luvuyo Pupuma, Meli Rokoua, Pieter Scholtz, Sibusiso Sithole, Alandre van Rooyen, Rudi van Rooyen, Dries van Schalkwyk, Jurie van Vuuren, CJ Velleman, Michael Willemse and Oliver Zono. Additional members Thierry Kuate and Clinton Wagman, who are on trial.