Tykes in for Visagie
June 24, 2001

Western Province and Springbok prop Cobus Visagie is the subject of a massive offer from newly promoted English Premiership rugby club Leeds Tykes.

Visagie, who has been out of rugby for eight months after being banned for two years in October for the use of illegal substances, is on the comeback trail after he was cleared on appeal due to international controversy surrounding nandrolone and testing procedures.

He is currently on tour in Argentina with Western Province and has earlier expressed his desire to win back his Springbok tighthead place for the Tri-Nations, but the latest offer could lead to a serious rethink. He will play his third game for Western Province in their game against Mar del Plata on Saturday.

Visagie still has to resign with Western Province and as yet hasn't been offered a contract by the South African Rugby Football Union, which means he is a free agent. "We have had a lot of interest from France and the United Kingdom," Visagie's agent, Craig Livingstone, told the Cape Times.

According to the paper Leeds are leading the chase for the 27-year-old's signature.

Visagie has 18 caps behind his name and with the Springboks currently battling with depth at tighthead, it would be foolish for the Boks' brains trust not to immediately secure Visagie's services.

According to Western Province coach Gert Smal the Stellenbosch strongman has been in exceptional form on tour, given his long layoff from the game.

"Cobus will comfortably be able to play a half and another 15 minutes after a halftime break if Harry Viljoen wants to call him up. I was surprised at Cobus' form on tour. He worked very hard on his conditioning while he was sidelined," Smal told the Cape Times.

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