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ExSport 24

Andries Bekker (Gallo Images)

 

Cape Town - Springbok and Stormers lock Andries Bekker is reportedly high on the priority list of various overseas clubs.

According to Die Burger's website, the 29-year-old Bekker will be able to pick and choose where he wants to play once his contract with Western Province runs out at the end of 2013.

Whille an extension to his WP contract is not out of the question, his agent, Hilton Houghton, said clubs in the Northern Hemisphere are hot on the heels of the 2.08m giant.

Clubs in France, Ireland and England are after the Bok lock's services, according to Die Burger.

However, Bekker's biggest current priority will be to make a return to the playing field after he missed the Springboks' year-end tour last year due to an injury to his right big toe.

Meanwhile, the Stormers on Monday resumed their preparations for the upcoming Super Rugby competition.

Flank Schalk Burger is raring to go after missing the entire 2012 due to a knee injury. More clarity regarding the availability of wing Bryan Habana (knee), utility forward Rynhardt Elstadt (breastbone), scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenage (leg), centre Marcel Brache and hooker Tiaan Liebenberg (both neck injuries) will be known later in the week.

Wasn't Duvenage leaving? Liebenberg is vital to our campaighn so hope ths ivery fine hooker get swell soon. If Bissie has problems the Boks will need him as well. fabncy ou snapster thinking chilli boy is in Liebenberg's class. He had of course to admit, as I told him more than once, that Strauss is way better than chilli boy!

The Stormers start their Super Rugby campaign away to the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Friday, February 22.

They are are likely to play two warm-up games against the Cheetahs and Boland, with the dates yet to be confirmed.

Those rapacious frogs must keep their hands off Habana  - we have a Super 15 trophy to win seeing as there was no trophy for topping the log. Bryan dont fall for filthy frog lucre. There is glory to be won by staying with the Mighty Stormers another year.

Apart from Etzebeth and Jean all the Stormer players have had a decent rest. This bodes well for 2013.
Etzebeth should recover quickly given his youth.

Jean however must be better managed ths year - he played far too much rugby in 2012.  With De jongh, Allende Du Plessis, Taute (ye s Taute if needs be Mike) etc he can be given a break and should maybe miss the first few games

I hope Schalk is ready to kick nz butt again! Go Schalk  - what a great player he has been. We just dont need the frogs snaffling our players!

Great to hear about Schalkie being raring to go, now together with Juan Smith if they can find form and work their way into the Bok setup then the squad will have the added benefit of leadership.

Yes Denny the Cheetahs will benefit a lot from having Juan around and ditto a fit and raring to go Brussouw and Coenie.

As Mike has said one wonders how Schalk and Juan will play after being so long out of the game. Both face big challnges to make the Bok side and will need to be fully on form.

One has a sense this wil be a good year rugbywise.