The former Zimbabwean Springbok wing will probably play his rugby for the Lions from Gauteng next season.

Chavhanga was not at Western Province training on Monday as his wife was expecting his first child, but it has been confirmed that the wing has been in talks with the Johannesburg union and his agent, Neil Minnaar, told a Cape newspaper that Chavhanga has signed a two-year contract.

It is understood that Chavhanga was unhappy when he heard that Province have lured Springbok Bryan Habana to the Cape from the Bulls, and was less than pleased at the prospect of having to battle Habana, Sireli Naqelevuki and Nick Koster for a place in the Stormers starting team in the Super 14 season.

WP chief professional coach Rassie Erasmus has confirmed that Koster, who played his schoolboy rugby at loose-forward, wants to specialise at wing. He played there with limited success before he was injured this season, but saw enough potential in the position to want to continue there.

Koster, along with Springbok fullback Conrad Jantjes, will only return to rugby in the pre-season preparations for the Super 14.

Meanwhile Erasmus has confirmed that he had a fruitful meeting with representatives of Boland on Monday, and the upshot is that Hilton Lobberts will be turning out for them for the remainder of the season.

“Hilton was out injured for nine weeks, and then he was out with flu for a few more weeks, so he has hardly been able to play this season,” said Erasmus.

“We figured out it would only be fair to him if we let him go and play for Boland and thus at least get some game time. He has to play three games for Boland to qualify for their promotion-relegation fixtures,” said Erasmus.

This means that Lobberts will play against WP when the two sides meet at Newlands on Saturday week, but he can still be called back into the Province side in an emergency as he has yet to play for WP this season.

“He is only going there on loan, and will be joining George Earle, who is another of our locks who is getting invaluable experience playing Currie Cup Premier Division,” said Erasmus.

Earle impressed in Boland’s match against the Sharks recently, and Erasmus said he was pleased with his progress. Lobberts returned to the Cape from the Bulls during the last off-season, but has not had much opportunity to show whether his conversion to lock has had the desired impact on his career.

WP front-row forward Schalk Ferreira, who is busy converting from prop to hooker, will also be available for Boland for their remaining matches.

Meanwhile Erasmus has also confirmed that his union are on the look-out for further flyhalf back-up in the wake of the neck injury that will prevent Willem de Waal from playing again until into the next Super 14 season.

“The specialist has told us that Willem is 99% certain of being able to play again after his operation, but obviously we need to look at our options in case Peter Grant breaks down. We could move Joe Pietersen to flyhalf, but he is doing well as a fullback. Conrad Hoffmann is developing as a flyhalf but he is coming back after a long injury enforced absence and is just feeling his way at the moment.”

Instead of playing against Griquas at the weekend, Hoffmann will be released to play a club match for the Maties at flyhalf with a view to him possibly starting for WP against Boland at Newlands the following week.

Source: supersport.co.za

Pic: scrumoftheearth.com

Tags: lions, tonderai chavhanga, western province