Talks have started to bring marauding loose forward CJ Velleman back to Port Elizabeth from Griquas to help EP’s Elephants win promotion to the Currie Cup Premier Division.
Velleman joined Griquas on short term loan in September after he was left unemployed when the Southern Kings were liquidated.
EP Rugby GM Thando Manana says he is negotiating to bring 25-year-old Velleman back to PE when his deal at Griquas ends in January 2021.
“I’m talking to CJ’s agent about his coming home and playing in the red-and-black hooped jersey of the Elephants,” Manana said.
“He is the type of player we want to sign to help us win promotion to the Currie Cup Premier Division.”
EP have set their sights on a top three finish in the coastal section of the SA Cup to secure a berth in the Currie Cup Premier Division.
Velleman has been gaining valuable game time at Griquas and came on as a replacement during his new team’s match against the Cheetahs on Saturday.
Apart from Velleman, EP have set their sights on gaining the services of five other former Kings players.
The Kings players provisionally named in the EP squad are Alulutho Tshakweni (prop), Chris Hollis and Josiah Twum-Boafo (centres), Josh Alderman (scrumhalf) and Michael Botha (fullback).
Though the Kings players have been included in the squad, details to the signing still have to be ironed out.
Manana said he had met four of the Kings players named in the squad and was waiting for confirmation of the deals.
Nelson Mandela University players and Luvu Classen of the SA Sevens Academy are also included.
EP are expected to name their new coach in December and the front-runners for the position are Peter de Villiers, Ricardo Loubscher, Johnathan Mokuena, Deon Kayser and Kevin Musikanth who have been shortlisted.
Once the new coach is in position more players will be contracted and EP have also set their sights on signing a Springbok.
“We would like to congratulate all the players who have been named in the off-season training squad in preparation for the 2021 SA Cup,” Manana said.
Velleman said while he has managed to get a paying contract, he had to take a substantial pay cut to join Griquas for the Currie Cup.
“The thing is that I was going to play for free anywhere, for any big union that took me on board,” Velleman said.
“I was pretty much happy to do that but Griquas did give me a contract.
“Honestly, it is very, very minimal, less than my first contract that I signed straight out of school.
“It is just pretty much enough to keep me alive this side but it is just a short-term thing, only until January.”
Velleman has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons but the tenacious forward is now ready to make his mark on the rugby scene.
In November 2019, Velleman suffered yet another injury after tearing knee ligaments during a training session.
He had only recently returned to training from a leg injury when a freak incident ended his hopes of completing the 2019/20 season.
After a breakthrough season in 2016, Velleman has suffered a succession of injuries that have impeded his career.
HeraldLIVE
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