Toyota Cheetahs sign winger Rosko Specman, Vodacom Bulls sign lock Sintu Manjezi
South African rugby team the Toyota Cheetahs completed the signing of Springboks Sevens stalwart Rosko Specman on a two-year contract from the Vodacom Bulls.
Specman, who plays on the wing, rejoins the side which he represented in the Currie Cup and PRO14 between 2017 and 2018 before joining the Bulls to play Super Rugby.
A statement from the Cheetahs said that the 31-year-old made an impact during his short stay at the Toyota Cheetahs, and, will once again, prove invaluable.
“We are looking forward to having Specman join us in July. I am very happy to have him in our squad. It will just strengthen our back-three and the competition for a place in the starting line-up will be fierce. That is what I want. We want quality players with strong competition among the players in the squad. He will add a lot of spice to the competition,” Cheetahs Coach Hawies Fourie said.
The Cheetahs confirmed they will allow Specman to play for the Blitzbokke in certain tournaments and will be available for the 2021 Olympic Games if he is called up to the squad.
Specman has represented the Blitzbokke team and won a bronze medal at the Rugby Sevens during the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Specman’s signing will delight Cheetahs fans as a sign of strengthening the squad following an announcement that the Guinness PRO14 plans to resume the 2019/2020 season in August.
Meanwhile, the Vodacom Bulls announced the signing of South African lock Sintu Manjezi from Guinness PRO14 side the Toyota Cheetahs.
In a statement on its website, the Bulls welcomed the addition of the versatile 25-year-old who will join the team from July 1.
“Manjezi has stamped his authority in the Guinness PRO14 in recent seasons as a tough as nails and uncompromising lock in the Toyota Cheetahs’ pack. His core strength in the scrum coupled with his prowess at lineout time and ability to poach the ball off the ground makes him a valuable asset to the Vodacom Bulls,” the statement read in part.
Manjezi, who began his career at the Eastern Province Kings, made his Vodacom Super Rugby debut for the Southern Kings in 2015 and eventually joined the Cheetahs at the end of 2018.
Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White said the team can expect big things from Manjezi, who helped the Free State Cheetahs win South Africa’s premier domestic rugby tournament, the Currie Cup, last season.
“Sintu is a powerhouse that packs all the skills that make a good lock. He is a strong character both on and off the field, and I firmly believe that he will fit in perfectly into our future plans,” White said.