The Waratahs have released South African scrum-half Sarel Pretorius midway through his two-year Super Rugby contract.
According to AAP, Pretorius - who is currently back in his homeland playing in the Currie Cup for the Free State Cheetahs - will not return to the Waratahs in 2013 as Brendan McKibbin and Grayson Hart are the only scrum-halves in the Sydney-based franchise's squad for next year.
Pretorius will play for the Cheetahs, who he represented before joining the Waratahs this year, in 2013.
His fall from grace is a remarkable turnaround after he was the Waratahs' first-choice number nine during the early stages of this season, before losing his spot to McKibbin halfway through the campaign.
And by the final weeks of the season, Pretorius also lost his spot on the replacements' bench to New Zealand-born halfback Hart.
Apart from Pretorius, six other players were also released from their contracts.
Former captain and flanker Rocky Elsom is currently unattached after failing to satisfy requirements in medical tests at Top 14 outfit Toulon, while lock Dan Vickerman has retired.
The other players have all left for greener pastures include backs Daniel Halangahu and Brackin Karauria-Henry (for Zebre in Italy and NTT Shining Arcs in Japan respectively), while lock Dean Mumm and flanker Chris Alcock have gone to Exeter Chiefs (in England) and the Western Force.
Comments
ixcalibir says...
@Stag91..... On the contrary
Posted 20:26 11th September 2012
Stag91 says...
He brings perhaps a more rounded game to the team, but he doesn't have the explosiveness of Hougaard nor the silky skills of Pienaar
Posted 15:20 11th September 2012
makemehappy says...
More to this than rugby ability!
Posted 13:08 11th September 2012
startledwombat says...
Good enough for the Springboks but not good enough for the Waratahs bench? I am baffled by this news item and the subsequent discussion.
Posted 10:18 11th September 2012
benski says...
@herbman... Streets better than both Hougaard and Pienaar, he should be in the mix.
Posted 08:03 11th September 2012
hellovanite says...
Herbman... it's no suggestion
Posted 01:03 11th September 2012
Herbman says...
No ways... he's not bad but you surely can't suggest he's better than Hougaard or Pienaar.
Posted 18:53 10th September 2012
SACanuck says...
He seems to be doing really well being back with the Cheetahs. In fact I think he should be the starting 9 for SA. I think he, Goosen and Lambie in the mix would cause havoc against any team.
Posted 14:44 10th September 2012