SA duo heading to Brumbies

Editor

Lions utility back Lionel Cronje and former WP and Sharks scrum-half Conrad Hoffmann are joining the Brumbies, according to SA media.

Golden Lions utility back Lionel Cronje and former Western Province and Sharks scrum-half Conrad Hoffmann are joining the Brumbies, according to South African media reports.

The players' agent BC du Plessis has confirmed that the duo will move to the Canberra-based franchise next month. Both have signed contracts until the end of the 2015 season.

They would become eligible to play for Australia in three years' time.

“Lionel and Conrad will join the Brumbies on 1 November,” Du Plessis told the Volksblad website.

“It must be remembered that Australia is very similar to South Africa. and they will still be playing Super Rugby and in the southern hemisphere.”

Cronje, who is 24, represented SA U20, Western Province and the Blue Bulls and was part of the Lions squad during their recent Currie Cup campaign. 25-year-old Hoffmann has been playing club rugby in Cape Town recently after his spells at WP and the Sharks were hampered by injuries.

The duo follow WP centre Marcel Brache, WP prop Chris Heiberg and Blue Bulls lock Wilhelm Steenkamp who have all joined the Western Force.