Lions rope in another foreigner

The Lions, defeated semi-finalists in this year's Currie Cup, have signed another foreign player for the 2009 season in the form of winger Willie Rickards who hails from New Zealand.

The Lions, defeated semi-finalists in this year's Currie Cup, have signed another foreign player for the 2009 season in the form of Willie Rickards who hails from New Zealand.

Rickards, a 1.87m and 101kg wing, has signed a contract to play Super 14 and Currie Cup rugby for the Johannesburg-based franchise until the end of the 2009 season.

Rickards, who has played at centre for Southland in the Air New Zealand Cup, was also invited to the New Zealand Sevens trials earlier this year.

The Kiwi joins USA Eagles loose forward Todd Clever, who also signed a contract with the Golden Lions Rugby Union recently. Clever was one of the stand-out players in the United States team at the 2007 World Cup tournament.

Meanwhile, Griquas hooker Hans van Dyk and Falcons centre Ruan Cloete have signed to play for the Lions until the end of 2010.

Rumours that World Cup-winning centre Jaque Fourie is looking for greener pastures have also been put to bed, after the Springbok was contracted until the end of 2010.

Other key players the Lions managment have successfuly held onto for the next two years include Fourie's midfield partner Doppies La Grange, loosehead prop Heinke van der Merwe, number eight Willem Alberts and versatile back Louis Ludik.