VAN DER LINDE LEAVES GRIQUAS

GRIQUAS’ recently appointed forwards coach CJ van der Linde has announced he is leaving the Kimberley-based union to take up a job offer in Japan in March.

In a statement the union said: “CJ has just returned from a consultancy period in Japan and has very recently been offered an overseas opportunity which is one that is felt he just cannot decline,” said Griquas chief executive Arni van Rooyen.

Griquas said that Van der Linde would assist head coach Brent Janse van Rensburg in the coming months before he departs the union officially, to ensure that the team can prepare for the season with as little disruption as possible before they find another assistant coach.

Van der Linde said: “I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity Griquas gave me and the faith that Brent has in my ability. It saddens me that I have had to resign before I got a chance to start working with the group of players but, although it was an extremely difficult decision to make, was one made with the future of my family being the deciding factor.

“I want to thank everyone at Griquas, and especially Brent, for understanding my decision and respecting me as a person with the way they have dealt with this. I am a firm believer in Brent as a coach, what he has to offer, his structures and systems work, and he has an ability to create a team culture that moulds successful teams.”

Janse van Rensburg said that although it is disappointing to lose Van der Linde, they will focus on the solutions needed.