The Lions have signed the Bulls Super 14 replacement flyhalf and Morne Steyn understudy Burton Francis with effect 1 November 2009.
Francis is the Vidacom Cup player of 2008 and he told the Bulls he would not stick around if he was not going to be a starter. The Bulls agreed to release him… after all they have brought Jacques Louis Potgieter back from Bloemfontein for next season so the writing is on the wall so to speak for Francis.
The Bulls Rugby Union have sportingly thanked Francis for the four years of contribution he has made to them and they say they fully understand why he is ducking down the N1 to play in Jozi.
Aside from Francis, Steyn and Potgieter the Bulls also have Francois Brummer, Louis Boshoff, JC Roos and Marnitz Boshoff as upcoming talented young flyhalves in the wings. At the Lions he will obviously start but one must now wonder what role there will be for the talented Boshoff and Jantjes in future Lions sides.
Anyway, welcome Burton… you are one of many welcome additions from the Jukskei side of the world like Moaner Van Heerden, Okkie Oosthuizen, Johan Marais, Jannie Breedt, Ray Mordt, Hannes Strydom and many others who made the Transvaal of the past their home and tread deep steps in Lions annals.
October 8th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Welcomne Burton…
Just don’t go from here to CT
October 8th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Sad to see him go, but as the arti says there are lots of young talent at the Bulls.
I just had this nagging feeling when watching Burton that he is a confidence player and when put under pressure will crack – I hope I am wrong?
October 9th, 2009 at 7:05 am
Right decision the player made, he is still young, not good enough in a side like the cows were there is so many flyhalf talent, but with the Lion he will hopefully develop.
Good Luck at the Lions
October 11th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
good move on burton’s side. He is a talent but needs gametime to develop. Won’t get gametime next year at the bulls with jl potgieter and morne. Still sad to see him go, i really rate him.
October 11th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
now the lions need to sign a proper 9 as backup for jonk. Vermaak is a showpony, he belongs in ct.