Tug-of-war over Mostert

Rudolph Jacobs

Golden Lions chief executive Rudolf Straeuli is staying put with the union, and he is going to throw the regulation book at Gloucester in response to Springbok lock Franco Mostert’s (above) move to England.

Straeuli confirmed yesterday he had declined the Bulls’ offer to apply for their chief executive position because his work at the Lions was not done.

“I have great respect for both unions because I played for both, but I have a contract with the Lions and I enjoy my job,” he said.

There were some irregularities involving Mostert’s signature with Gloucester, according to Straeuli, and they would do their best to keep him at the Lions.

“Franco is still contracted by us and we are still in the middle of a dispute with Gloucester,” he said.

“He must honour his contract, with all respect to Franco, but my board told me I must act against Gloucester.

“His agent had been suspended for three years and it has happened before with Lyon in France, and the second time we said ‘no’.”

Straeuli also explained why he postponed the Lions team announcement until late yesterday for Friday night’s must-win Currie Cup game against the Pumas in Nelspruit.

“We wanted to pick the best possible side with a few guys we got back from the Boks.

“They have done medicals on all the Boks. Malcolm Marx and Warren Whiteley (both contracted players) won’t be available this weekend, but Lionel Mapoe, Elton Jantjies, Aphiwe Dyantyi and Franco were the guys we were waiting on.

“They were training full-out with the team but we were just waiting for them to be cleared.”

Bok consultant Swys de Bruin’s input yesterday had also proved invaluable,” Straeuli said.

Scrumhalf Nic Groom, taking over from lock Marvin Orie, will captain the side for the first time, while Boks in flyhalf Elton Jantjies and centre Lionel Mapoe have also been included.