Hayden trades Maroon for Blue
Star Maties utility back Hayden Groepes has signed a four-month contract with the Blue Bulls for the remainder of the 2010 Currie Cup season.
Groepes – who joined the Blue Bulls two weeks ago on loan from Boland – enjoyed a successful start to his trial with the Currie Cup champions by scoring in a pre-season friendly against the Eastern Province Kings and made such a good impression on the coaching staff that he was offered a longer stay.
The 22-year-old – who played for the SA Under-19 team in 2006, before being hampered by an injury – played for the Western Province Under-19 and Under-21 sides, as well as for the Western Province senior team in the Vodacom Cup.
He was also a star performer for the victorious Maties side in the 2009 and 2010 Varsity Cup competitions.
Groepes’ signature comes a week after the BBRU signed promising Western Province scrumhalf Dustin Jinka and the two players ironically played at Under-19 and Under-21 level together in Cape Town.
“I was playing at Maties when the opportunity arose and I jumped at it,” Groepes told bluebulls.co.za.
“I came up on a two-week trial and worked hard to make an impression and did well enough to get offered a contract. I’d never say no to such an opportunity.
“I am committed to give everything for the Bulls and hope that I can make a contribution to their continued success while I am here,” he added.
“The structures they have here are so impressive and professional that it is a privilege to be involved with this team.”
Blue Bulls coach Frans Ludeke welcomed his new signing into the Bulls’ ‘Kraal’.
“Hayden joined us on a short-term loan and put in an unbelievable amount of work to show us that while he has the talent, he has the work ethic to match,” Ludeke said.
“He has impressed since he arrived at Loftus and we felt it only fair to give him a longer stay here to show what he can do.”
Groepes will be on the bench for the Blue Bulls for their match against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.
