Tigers' Engelbrecht a Lion - for now
Ikey Tigers star Pieter Engelbrecht has been drafted into the Golden Lions squad to play against the touring British & Irish Lions next week – yet another Varsity Cup player set to take the step up to a higher level this season.
The Lions – the Golden ones – have a few injuries in their squad, coupled with some Springbok call-ups, hence the call to Engelbrecht who has played on the wing for UCT in recent weeks.
He was, however, back in this favoured centre position against SK Walmers at the weekend; scoring one of his team’s five tries as UCT romped to a 42-12 win at the Green Mile.
Engelbrecht, 23, has played Vodacom Cup rugby for WP, having also represented the province at Under-19 and Sevens level.
He played a pivotal role for the Ikey Tigers in the 2008 and 2009 Varsity Cup tournaments, with his uncomprosing defence and powerful midfield bursts, and his promotion to the Lions team is a testament to the hard work he puts in – both on and off the field.
But his selection also proves once again just what a difference UCT coaches John Dobson and Robbie Fleck have made to this UCT side since joining forces at the start of last year’s Varsity Cup.
Fleck, of course, has just joined the WP Currie Cup coaching staff, whilst Dobson has been courted by some European rugby clubs.
Said Dobson to varsitycup.co.za: “It’s obviously a big loss for us, losing Piet (Engelbrecht) before this weekend’s big Super League game against Hamilton’s, but like I always say, we’re becoming victims of our own success!
“Piet has played at Vodacom Cup level before, so I don’t expect him to be overawed playing in a Provincial set-up, but it will be a huge opportunity for him to play against the British & Irish Lions – something like that comes around once in a lifetime only.”
The British & Irish Lions arrived in South Africa on Monday morning and they will open their tour against the Chaka Willemse-coached Royal XV this Saturday. Their next fixture is against the Golden Lions on Wednesday, June 3.
