Cronje in talks with Biarritz

2007-08-21 22:13

Hennie Brandt

Galway, Ireland - Springbok loose forward Jacques Cronjé is also considering a move to France. He had a long discussion on Tuesday with an agent representing the Biarritz club.

Springbok wing Ashwin Willemse has already signed to join former Sharks prop Eduard Coetzee at Biarritz after the World Cup tournament.

However, Cronjé's contract with the Golden Lions Rugby Union expires only at the end of next year.

The agent who spoke to Cronjé on Tuesday refused to identify himself but confirmed that he was negotiating on behalf of Biarritz.

"I am merely an agent," he said. "I remain in the shadows. The players are the ones in the spotlight.

"Yes, I am negotiating with Cronjé about the possibility of him playing for Biarritz. It is the best rugby club in France and they are looking for a good No 8 to play for them for a year or two.

"I don't know when Cronjé will join Biarritz. It may happen after the World Cup tournament.

"We are still negotiating and no contract has been signed. I also do not know what his position is with his provincial team in South Africa."

Will travel with the Springboks

Cronjé, who is equally at home on the flank and at No 8 and can also play at lock, and Sharks centre Waylon Murray joined the Springboks here on Monday,

The Lions forward was on the bench for the match against Connacht on Tuesday evening.

Cronjé and Murray will travel with the Springboks to Edinburgh on Wednesday for the World Cup warm-up match against Scotland on Saturday.

They will return with the team to South Africa but will remain at home when John Smit's squad leave for France a few days later.

The news that Cronjé had spoken to a Biarritz agent came as no great surprise to the Lions administrators.

His contract with the Golden Lions Rugby Union expires only at the end of next year.

"I knew Jacques had spoken to an overseas agent," Lions coach Eugene Eloff said on Tuesday. "He did nothing behind out back."

Golden Lions CEO Peet Buys also said Cronjé had done nothing wrong by talking to the agent. "We knew it could happen and Jacques has the right to do so."

- Beeld