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White backs his loosies as Gumede stays, Beets leaves

rugby19 March 2024 15:00| © SuperSport
By:Brenden Nel
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Mpilo Gumede © Gallo Images

Vodacom Bulls coach Jake White has backed the young guns in his squad, and in the process has lost a quality star for the future.

The news that Celimpilo Gumede, known more as Mpilo, renewed his contract with the Bulls has already had some consequences for the future of the squad.

That, plus the signing of Cobus Wiese from Sale Sharks and the locked-in contracts for World Cup-winner Marco van Staden, upstart Cameron Hanekom and the likes of the Sheriff Elrigh Louw (not forgetting co-captain Marcell Coetzee) means that the Bulls have a number of quality loose forwards in their ranks.

And while it will be celebrated that Gumede and Hanekom in particular are locked in for the foreseeable future, and have already been invited to Springbok alignment camps because of their impressive form this season, there will be a tinge of sadness at the news that Corné Beets - the SA Rugby Junior Player of the year - has been targeted and signed as a replacement for Wiese’s brother Jasper at Leicester Tigers.

In a perfect world there would be enough place for every top young talent to come through but in a pressure cooker like South African rugby’s loose forward stocks, there is already loads of competition and if Beets stayed at the Bulls it would most likely have stunted his growth.

GUMEDE HAS IMPRESSED

But back to Gumede, who has now signed a contract until 2028, eclipsing the 2026 that Hanekom is secured to Loftus for.

White has options and Gumede, who seems to have slipped through the Sharks fingers when they let him go last season, can focus on his role in the team and possible higher honours if he continues this form.

The Mtubatuba loose forward has certainly impressed and seems likely to fulfill his promise since coming through the SA Schools side and gives White another player in a bevy of prospects that can grow over the next few seasons.

Gumede made no bones of it, having chosen a long-term stay in Pretoria because of the opportunities he has received at the Bulls.

“I had no doubt (in my mind) that I wanted to accept the offer because I have been in a good space since arriving in Pretoria and being with the Vodacom Bulls family. There is a lot that comes with it, good culture, and good people outside of rugby, for me it has been a huge blessing and opportunity to be with this team. I am really happy and I look forward to the future,” he said in a statement released by the Bulls.

“I have to be honest, the move from Durban wasn't easy, but the people have been very friendly and I am adapting much quicker than I thought. We have great guys here so it wasn’t hard for me to fit in, they are very open and welcoming,”

The news that Hanekom was also invited to the recent Bok alignment camp, and his long-term future secured at Loftus Versfeld has suddenly stopped the talk from Wales of poaching the youngster as well.

The Bulls now have several options at loose forward -- not only Gumede, Hanekom, Louw, Coetzee and Van Staden but also others as well.

Out of sight often means out of mind as well as injuries to Jannes Kirsten and Cyle Brink have robbed them of significant game time this season, while others seem to have disappeared from the radar and may make an appearance in the Currie Cup again.

Muller Uys is one of those, while last season’s newbies Phumzile Maqwondana and Mihlali Mosi have seen little game time since arriving at Loftus Versfeld.

WJ Steenkamp has also been hampered by injuries but seems to be heading to the Cheetahs to get some game time.

INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY FOR BEETS

Which returns us to Beets, who was a popular choice for Junior Springbok of the Year in a poor year for the Baby Boks.

White possibly has the option of bringing him back in a few years but will have to compete with the Euro and Pound and a number of scouts who will be trying to convince Beets to qualify for England.

What the future will bring for Beets waits to be seen, but his decision is understandable, given the plethora of talent at Loftus Versfeld at the moment.

The former Paarl Gym prospect was excited at the move and said so in a team statement.

“The incredible opportunity to become a member of the prestigious Leicester Tigers family excites me,” Beets said.

“It is an honour and a privilege to bring my enthusiasm and expertise to this legendary club, and I am eager to take on the challenges that lie ahead while creating lifelong memories with my teammates and the amazing Leicester Tigers supporters.

“I'm excited to fully immerse myself in Leicester's rich culture and become a proud member of the community.”

Leicester Tigers general manager, Richard Wilks said: “We’re happy that a player with Corné’s potential will be joining our club and we’re excited to see what he can become in our programme.”

“We’ve seen the growth in players like Hanro Liebenberg and Jasper Wiese at Tigers and we’ve no doubt Corné will dedicate himself as those players have and grow from strength to strength at the club.

“From our meetings with him and from his reputation, Corné's also got the right personality and character for our club, and we’re just excited for him to join us.”

Leicester Tigers head coach, Dan McKellar said: “We’re really pleased to have Corné join us next season.”

“He’s a young man who’s obviously got all the tools to play the game at the highest level and his job will be to apply himself every day with the goal of getting better.

“As a player, you like his athleticism, his set-piece and that coming through that South African pathway, you know he’ll play a style that suits Leicester Tigers, so we’re excited to work with him and see him grow in our programme.”

A coach’s decision is often a gamble, but White has decided on the players he will back over the next few years.

Already a formidable loose trio, if they continue to grow as players, White’s gamble may well turn into a jackpot.

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