JACO PRETORIUS SIGNS FOR THE BLUE BULLS
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The Lions' centre Jaco Pretorius has signed a three year deal with the Vodacom Bulls after successful negotiations between the two franchises.
The 28 year-old Pretorius, who will join the franchise later this week in order to start preparing for next year's Super 14, is contracted as an outside back and the Bulls will definitely benefit from his pace, vision and try scoring abilities.
He is a former SA 7's captain and has already played in more than 80 first class matches after making his provincial debut for the Lions in 2001.
Pretorius made his test debut on the wing for South Africa in November 2006 when the Springboks played against Ireland in Dublin and he also played against the All Blacks in Christchurch during 2007's Tri-Nations.
He is an exceptionally fast and elusive centre and for this reason he was exclusively used by Jake White as a wing. He has the ability to create something out of nothing and his superb running lines combined with his sharp rugby brain will be a tremendous asset for the Bulls.
Pretorius says he never thought that he would leave the Lions, but he felt that his rugby was stagnating and that is why he decided to join the Bulls.
"I have been with the Lions for eleven years and although I received a few offers over the years I never anticipated that I would play for another Union, but this is as an ideal opportunity to revitalize my rugby career.
"I love new challenges and to play for the Bulls, which is the best franchise in the county, is a massive privilege."
Pretorius added that he is extremely grateful for the manner in which the Lions handled the transfer, but saying goodbye to all his friends is going to be tough.
"This is a very emotional time for me because the Lions have been very good to me throughout my career and I have a lot of fond memories that I will continue to cherish in the future.
"But I am extremely excited about the new challenges that await me at Loftus and I am looking forward to play for the Bulls."
Pretorius word 'n Bul
Die Leeus se senter Jaco Pretorius het 'n drie-jaar kontrak met die Vodacom Blou Bulle ná suksesvolle onderhandelings tussen die twee franchises gesluit.
Die 28-jarige Pretorius wat as 'n buite-agterspeler gekontrakteer is, sal later die week by Loftus Versfeld ter voorbereiding vir aanstaande jaar se Super 14-toernooi saam met sy nuwe spanmaats begin oefen en die Bulle glo sy spoed sowel as sy visie en vermoë om drieë te druk sal van groot waarde vir hulle in die toekoms wees.
Hy is 'n voormalige SA 7's kaptein was reeds in meer as 80 eersterangse wedstryde gespeel het nadat hy in 2001 sy buiging vir die Leeus gemaak het.
In November 2006 het hy sy toetsdebuut vir Suid-Afrika in Dublin teen Ierland gemaak en verlede jaar het hy sy tweede toets in Christchurch tydens die Drie-Nasies teen die All Blacks gespeel.
Hy is 'n besondere vinnige en vlugvoetige senter en juis omrede hy só baie spoed het, het Jake White hom net op vleuel gebruik. Pretorius het die vermoë om iets uit niks te maak en sy aanvalslyne tesame met sy flink rugbybrein gaan 'n groot aanwins vir die Bulle wees.
Pretorius sê hy het nooit gedink dat hy die Leeus sal verlaat nie maar hy het gevoel sy rugby begin te stagneer en om dié rede het hy besluit om die skuif te maak.
"Ek speel al die afgelope elf jaar by die Leeus en hoewel ek aanbiedinge van elders ontvang het, het ek dit altyd van die hand gewys, maar ek sien dié as 'n ideale geleentheid om nuwe lewe in my rugby in te blaas.
"Ek hou van en reageer goed op nuwe uitdagings en om vir die Bulle, wat die voorste Unie in die land is, te speel is 'n groot voorreg."
Pretorius het bygevoeg dat hy verskriklik dankbaar is oor die manier hoe die Leeus die situasie hanteer het en sê dat dit baie moeilik gaan wees om vir almal te groet.
"Dit is 'n baie emosionele tyd vir my want mens kom 'n lang pad saam met goeie vriende en daar is soveel wat ons saam deurgemaak het.
"Ek sal dié herinneringe altyd by my hou en die Leeus was altyd net goed vir my, maar ek glo ook dat die toekoms by Loftus mooi sal wees.
"Ek sien baie uit na die uitdagings wat op my wag en ek is opgewonde om vir die Bulle uit te draf."
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