Another local Rugby star heads to the bigger world

Finally, another Steval Pumas rugby star has been released by the Mpumalanga Rugby Union for Super Rugby early next year.

The talented loose forward, Renaldo Bothma was released late last week to honour a two-year contract with the Cell C Sharks Super 15 squad. Although Bothma will be lost for the Steval Pumas for the whole of the 2015 season due to Super Rugby and World Cup duties, he will return to the Lowveld to play in 2016 Currie Cup season for the Steval Pumas.

“I’m very excited, as this will certainly be the highlight of my rugby career thus far. To play Super Rugby and in a World Cup, all in one season, is truly a blessing from my Heavenly Father,” Bothma commented.

According to his coaching team, Bothma was fairly unlucky not to play Super Rugby last year already, but surely deserves this well-earned break.

“Make no mistake, his damaging runs and crunching tackles will be missed, but we can’t stand in the way of a talented player’s future. We wish Renaldo all the best of luck and would like to take the opportunity to thank him for his commitment in the last couple of years.”

Commenting on his signing, The Sharks CEO, John Smit said, “We have witnessed Renaldo’s ability and explosiveness during this year’s Absa Currie Cup competition and a player of his calibre will certainly bolster our Super Rugby squad.

We welcome him to Durban and trust that his stay at the Cell C Sharks will be a memorable one.”

Bothma joined the Steval Pumas in 2010 from the Lions and has been a key player in the team’s success over the past couple of years, especially since the move to Mbombela.

The Sharks look forward to welcoming Renaldo, who will join the squad when they assemble for preseason training on Monday, November 17.