Lions CEO Rudolf Straeuli on Vincent Tshituka move: 'This is going to get ugly'

Moreover, Straeuli revealed that he is waiting on Sharks CEO Eduard Coetzee to discuss the matter of the players' contracts in full.

“No, it wasn’t a surprise,” Straeuli admitted, saying that the players in question’s contracts were indeed up for renewal and under discussion. “Firstly, all of these players were offered a contract and not one of them was not market related – from Vincent, Burger and Carlu – we made them all offers ...

“I’m still waiting for the return of Eduard coming from America but I’ve said to him, ‘we need to have a meeting on this, because this is going to get ugly’.

“They (the Sharks) decided to announce; and we are reserving our right – and I am not going to say what we are going to do and what our rights are. They have offered more money and what do you do, you go to the place with more money.”

“We matched certain of their offers and we also made the first offers. Unfortunately, I cannot divulge those offers.”

“But say I offer you R1, and it is marker related; and somebody offers you R2 and I match it, but then they (the competing union) say, ‘no, we are still going to give you something on the side here – don’t talk about it’; that is where our problem lies.”

It is understood, in Tshituka’s case especially, that the loose-forward is contracted with the Joburg-based side until the end of 2022 and that his responsibilities to the union will only conclude in December.

As revealed by Straeuli, who was flanked by the union’s head of contracting, Tracy van Ginkel, and media and PR manager, Nyaniso Sam, at their Doornfontein base on Thursday, the company's policy is to begin negotiation for contract renewal 12 months before its termination.

Moreover, as the Lions have matched the Sharks offer, Tshituka’s services should remain with the Johannesburg-based side, or a form of compensation paid for its early termination.

Currently, all SA franchises are constrained by an agreed upon R62-million salary cap, which must cover no more than 50 professional players over the age of 21. This cap, at the Lions at least, covers all expenses - from match fees to bursaries for university committed players to accommodation. There is also a further R7m cap for the players within the junior structures.

The Sharks have gone on a massive recruitment drive recently, snaffling up the likes of Siya Kolisi, Bongi Mbonambi, Eben Etzebeth, Tshituka, Sadie and disgraced Springbok Aphiwe Dyantyi at considerable expense; while the Bulls have also been busy in the transfer market, as have the Stormers.

Johannesburg - The Lions’ player strategy in the Currie Cup has not worked out this season, but there will still be many positives to glean from the tournament and the season, Lions Rugby Company CEO Rudolf Straeuli assured the team’s supporters and stakeholders yesterday.

The Lions are due to play the table-topping Bulls tomorrow at Loftus Versveld (kick-off 5pm), and while their Jukskei neighbours are flying high, the Joburgers find themselves rooted to the bottom of the table, winless after nine games.

Nevertheless, Straeuli is taking a pragmatic, long-term view by firstly praising the work of Sigma Lions head coach Mzwakhe Nkosi, and also accepting that there will need to be change in the tactics of the union regarding the premier domestic competition next season.

“We are re-looking our system,” Straeuli revealed in an interview with Independent Media at the union’s Doornfontein base.

“Certain areas have been done well by Mzwakhe, like the juniors that have come through – Quan Horn, Ruan Venter – they are all good players and have been signed on for four years. That is something that is working for the Currie Cup that I will tick off.

“The same goes for (URC head coach Ivan van Rooyen) – he is growing as a coach. It was not ideal. It was not as Gert Small and Jake White,” Straeuli added, referring to the wizened think-tank of the Bulls, “who are both senior coaches”.

“I am growing two junior coaches but all the coaches that we have grown here, have gone on to higher honours. That is a part of our strategy – developing our own.”

In spite of the run of defeats in the Currie Cup, Straeuli only had high praise for Mzwakhe, revealing full confidence and admiration for the former SA Schools coach, adding that while the times are tough now in the Currie Cup, the experience will be invaluable.

Said Straeuli: “He is one of the most important coaches in our organisation.

“He is part of our procurement, our contracting, our recruitment system and he has developed and brought some unbelievable talent into the URC. We have to actually say thank you to Mzwakhe.

“Him and his management team have taken on immense pressure to actually give the guys game time. It is about him learning to coach a Currie Cup side and how to grow. Next year, we will have more experienced players and Mzwakhe will also have grown.

“Was he thrown into the deep end?" Straeuli asked with introspection.

“Yes, he was – by looking after the Under-20 side, and managing the two Varsity Cup sides with

Hugo van As (Wits) and Jonathan Mokuena (of UJ) – nobody is going into promotion/relegation there.