It seems Ireland has yet again dipped into the South African talent pool, with Ulster proudly announcing the capture of another SA schoolboy prodigy. David Wessels, SA Rugby’s high-performance GM, couldn't help but throw a cheeky jab online, suggesting it might be time to reward Ireland with a loyalty card for their frequent shopping trips down south.
This witty outburst came as Ulster beefed up their academy lineup, welcoming 18-year-old Rynard Gordon from Cape Town. Gordon, a product of the prestigious Bishops school, is known for his versatility on the field, adept at both centre and wing positions. Following a successful trial period and a stint with Ulster U19, he's now primed to dive into the first year of the academy.
"We must get the @IRFURugby a Loyalty Shopper Rewards card!"
Joining Gordon in the freshman class is Australian-born Paddy Woods, a promising lock with the physicality to make an immediate impact. Ulster’s academy manager Gavin Hogg couldn't hide his enthusiasm, stating,
"We are delighted to welcome both Paddy and Rynard into our academy system. Paddy is a promising young lock with good physical presence, and Rynard is an exciting backline player with the ability to beat defenders."
Hogg continued, "Both players have shown us their clear potential, and we are pleased to be welcoming them into the academy to progress. With both being Irish-qualified through family, we hope that we can help both players develop in our academy programme and become ones for the future."
The trend of South African youths making a splash on Irish shores isn't new. Earlier this year, Josh Neill, a former Rondebosch boy and SA U18 standout, made headlines after joining Leinster’s academy and subsequently playing for Ireland U20. This pattern underscores a growing pipeline that sees young talents from SA making significant strides in Irish rugby.
As this trend continues, it's clear that the pathways for these young athletes not only lead to new opportunities but also to sparking playful banter among rugby’s top brass about loyalty programs and shopping habits!
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It seems Ireland has yet again dipped into the South African talent pool, with Ulster proudly announcing the capture of another SA schoolboy prodigy. David Wessels, SA Rugby’s high-performance GM, couldn't help but throw a cheeky jab online, suggesting it might be time to reward Ireland with a loyalty card for their frequent shopping trips down south.
This witty outburst came as Ulster beefed up their academy lineup, welcoming 18-year-old Rynard Gordon from Cape Town. Gordon, a product of the prestigious Bishops school, is known for his versatility on the field, adept at both centre and wing positions. Following a successful trial period and a stint with Ulster U19, he's now primed to dive into the first year of the academy.
"We must get the @IRFURugby a Loyalty Shopper Rewards card!"
Joining Gordon in the freshman class is Australian-born Paddy Woods, a promising lock with the physicality to make an immediate impact. Ulster’s academy manager Gavin Hogg couldn't hide his enthusiasm, stating,
"We are delighted to welcome both Paddy and Rynard into our academy system. Paddy is a promising young lock with good physical presence, and Rynard is an exciting backline player with the ability to beat defenders."
Hogg continued, "Both players have shown us their clear potential, and we are pleased to be welcoming them into the academy to progress. With both being Irish-qualified through family, we hope that we can help both players develop in our academy programme and become ones for the future."
The trend of South African youths making a splash on Irish shores isn't new. Earlier this year, Josh Neill, a former Rondebosch boy and SA U18 standout, made headlines after joining Leinster’s academy and subsequently playing for Ireland U20. This pattern underscores a growing pipeline that sees young talents from SA making significant strides in Irish rugby.
As this trend continues, it's clear that the pathways for these young athletes not only lead to new opportunities but also to sparking playful banter among rugby’s top brass about loyalty programs and shopping habits!