CONNACHT’S HOPES OF an early release for out-half Marnitz Boshoff were spurned by the Golden Lions in South Africa.
In March of last season, the western province announced the signing of Boshoff on a two-year deal, but his current contract with the Lions extends until the end of the Currie Cup.
Despite Connacht’s efforts to have the out-half granted an early release, the Lions have insisted that Boshoff finish out his deal in South Africa.
With the final of the Currie Cup set for 15 October, it means the 27-year-old won’t arrive in Ireland until next month.
Boshoff has started two of the Lions’ five Currie Cup fixtures so far this season, coming off the bench in two others and missing out on last weekend’s 58-32 win over the Blue Bulls. His form has been good, as he has scored a try, two penalties and 12 conversions.
We did [try],” said Connacht head coach Pat Lam this afternoon in Galway. “They weren’t going to budge there, because Elton Jantjies [the Springboks' 10] doesn’t play Currie Cup for them. They’ve got him there as their safety net at the moment.
“I’m in constant contact with him and we feed him all the stuff that we’re doing, all the plays. So he’s doing a bit of work and he’s pretty anxious to get here. He’s looking forward to it.”
Meanwhile, Lam confirmed that flanker Nepia Fox-Matamua will be out of action until November after his hamstring injury against Glasgow on the opening weekend of the Pro12 season.
Versatile back Josh Rowland has been ruled out for four to six weeks following surgery on an ankle injury, while wing Danie Poolman is currently undergoing the return-to-play protocols after a head injury against the Ospreys last weekend.
Loosehead prop Denis Buckley has returned to full training after missing the Ospreys clash, but Connacht’s injury list remains lengthy.
The likes of Quinn Roux, Craig Ronaldson, Andrew Browne, Ben Marshall, Peter Robb, Jake Heenan, Sean O’Brien, Darragh Leader, Eoghan Masterson, Cian Kelleher, Nathan White, John Cooney, Rory Parata and Ciaran Gaffney are all on that list at present.
“They’re not far off, some we’re monitoring this week,” said Lam, while stressing how injuries have allowed other players in the Connacht squad to state their claims.
“Anybody who goes in, if they’ve got absolute clarity on the role and what the plan is, you can judge their performance on the back of that,” said Lam. “Those who have been given their chance now are doing their best to get out there and show us what they can do.
“We judge their performance purely on the basis of job done, or job not done. When I get through it, there are times when guys have done their job really well and times guys have lacked consistency in doing their job.”
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