Lions confirm Bok Prop Van der Linde signing

The Golden Lions Rugby Union have confirmed the signing of Springbok 2007 Rugby World Cup winner, Prop CJ van der Linde from Western Province.

Van der Linde is expected to join the Golden Lions Currie Cup team in August when his contract commences and will run for two years until 31 October 2013.

Van der Linde began his professional career in 1999 when he represented South Africa at U/19 level. He has progressed through the ranks, from U/21 to senior and has been a Springbok since 2002.

CJ has spent the majority of his career with the Free State Cheetahs, and played for the Cats (a combination of Cheetahs and Lions players) Super 12 team in 2004 and 2005.

He moved to Cape Town and signed with the Western Province at the end of 2010. He is currently with the Springbok Tri Nations squad in Australasia.

Coach John Mitchell is looking forward to CJ’s arrival: “CJ comes with a wealth of experience and has tremendous value to add to the Lions. I’m really looking forward to working with a player of CJ’s caliber and experience.”

” I’ve always believed in developing youngsters as part of the expansion process and exposing them to experienced mentors such as CJ, ” said Mitchell.

GLRU CEO Manie Reyneke also had only praises for CJ.

“It is no secret that we’ve been speaking to CJ for the past few weeks and we are both honoured and humbled to have a player of his caliber and vast experience joining the Lions. ” said Reyneke