Tuks captain earns his wings
FNB Tuks skipper Johan de Bruin has signed a contract with the Valke and will captain the Brakpan-based outfit in the 2009 Currie Cup First Division.
De Bruin (pictured), who captained Tuks during the 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International, played for (and captained) TUT in the 2008 Varsity Cup.
Of course, he is no stranger to the Valke, having been loaned out to the union last year by the Blue Bulls.
The 1,93m second row forward, who tips the scales at 110kg, will be missed during the remainder of the Carlton League season – but the full-time move to Brakpan is a great opportunity for him and – clearly – yet another feather in the cap of the Varsity Cup and Tuks mentor Freddie Grobler.
In De Bruin’s absence, flyhalf Shaun Davids will take over the leadership duties for Tuks, who have already qualified for the 2009 Carlton League semifinals. (The semifinals will take place on August 1.)
Meanwhile, De Bruin will not be alone in Brakpan this season, with talented Tuks flyhalf/centre Franco Booysen also signing a deal with the Valke for the Currie Cup.
Booysen, 22, will add much-needed depth in the crucial inside backs department as the Valke look to work their way back into the Premier Division of the Currie Cup next season.
In other Tuks-related news, Danie Crous – the first-choice No.6 during the 2009 Varsity Cup – has signed a temporary playing contract with the Sharks.
Twenty-two-year-old Crous, a Grey College Old Boy, was a key member of the victorious Bulls Under-21 team in last year’s inter-Provincial tournament.
Tuks, semifinalists in the 2008 and 2009 Varsity Cup, have been in fine form during the 2009 league season, which has given the likes of De Bruin, Booysen and Crous the opportunities to pick up professional contracts.
They have lost just once and have racked up some huge wins in recent weeks, making them one of the favourites for the 2009 National Club Championships – a tournament they will be hosting in September.
