CONNACHT HAVE ANNOUNCED the signing of South Africa international out-half Marnitz Boshoff on a two-year contract.
The 27-year-old has one cap for the Springboks, playing off the bench against Scotland in the 2014 June Tests.
Boshoff will join Connacht ahead of next season, having played for the Lions in Super Rugby in 2014 and 2015. The out-half is part of the Lions’ squad this year too, but has not featured in the opening rounds of the Southern Hemisphere competition.
The Nelspruit native first came into the professional game with the Blue Bulls, playing Vodacom Cup and Currie Cup rugby with the franchise. It was only after a move to the Lions in Johannesburg, however, that Boshoff earned his Super Rugby debut in 2014.
Boshoff also helped provincial outfit the Golden Lions to a Currie Cup title last year.
The fact that the Lions play an open, expansive style of rugby that very much echoes how Connacht operate under Lam makes him a particularly ideal signing for the westerners. Boshoff is also a highly-rated place kicker.
The 27-year-old has not been first-choice with the Lions in recent seasons, with once-capped Springbok Elton Jantjies seen as possessing more attacking creativity.
Nonetheless, his capture is an impressive one for Connacht, given that the South African would almost certainly have attracted interest from French clubs.
“In the context of where we are and where we are planning to be, Marnitz is an important signing for our squad,” said Connacht head coach Lam. “A lot of time and research went into identifying the right, experienced out-half to fit the profile we were after.
“Marnitz is not only a proven and reliable goal kicker with an outstanding kicking game, but his game management has seen the rise of the Lions in Super Rugby over the last three seasons as well as him leading the Golden Lions to Currie Cup success.
“His experience will be invaluable to our young backline and we’re looking forward to welcoming him and his wife Monique to the west of Ireland.”
Meanwhile, Boshoff expressed his happiness at signing for the province.
“I’m really excited about the move to Connacht Rugby and Galway,” said Boshoff. “From speaking to Pat, I have a good understanding of what the club is about and it’s clear that there is a huge amount of passion and ambition there in terms of where they want to go.
“I’ve watched a lot of the Connacht games this season. The rugby they are playing is really exciting and I believe that I can fit into the structure and add something as well. I can’t wait to get stuck in.
“It’s a big move for myself and my wife Monique but we’re really looking forward to meeting everyone and settling into life in Ireland.”
This guy is completely overratted
@jay bernard: don’t know how he warrants a contract of that size given his achievements in the game. He needs to start scoring regularly especially if the Wissam Ben Yedder rumours are true. WBY is a real fox in the box, Deschamps really rates him.
Best goal tally for 21 and under in the EPL, La Liga & Seria A in what was a shocking season under two different managers. 200k going to 300k based on incentives. Manchester born and bred. He’ll turn out to be some player yet
An absolute joke.
It’s 200k a week max as per Simon Stone – reliable United journo
@Brian: and you think that even £200,000 is acceptable for a player that scored 10 league goals last season. He’s English!!! He has been overhyped and overrated since they Day he broke into the first team by the British press, £200,000 per week for a very average player that would be more suited to playing for a team like Newcastle, Everton or Southampton. Mid table player at best, that shouldn’t be earning anything over 100,000 never mind 200,000 or 300,000.
@Devilsavocado: And eventually he will be destroyed by the British press too, I wish Utd would sell him on now
Beans Beans Beans
@Alan Brazil: is all you eat. Stand well back!
The club is a circus. Run by clowns who aren’t football men
@munsterman: and if you look at the nonsense that ich bin Brendan has been scribbling up there, it seems they are supported by a few clowns as well…..
@Devilsavocado: haha! G!mp
@Ich bin brendan: come on,, seriously mate, you really don’t believe the nonsense that you were writing in your previous posts do you?? There isn’t a club that finished in the top 5 above Utd that the lad would get into as a first team player. Not a single club that will be in the champions league next year had a bit of interest in buying him, he’s at best a bench player for Utd, but a 200,000 a week bench player??? WTF is going on at Utd that they offered that much money to him?? Where else was he going to go, they easily could have halved that and even then he should still consider himself lucky to be wearing the Utd jersey,, come on, I can’t be the only one who sees this….
@Devilsavocado: quit looking for validation. I’ll correct myself in that he didn’t score v pool in their 3-1 spanking but everything stated is fact inc. turning the best rb inside out and scoring in every debut. Barcelona were being touted as making an official approach, how much of that is being true is as truthful to say not a single team were, it would take a team of that stature to pull a local lad away from his local team. Apart from Kane for Spurs there isn’t a top 5 team that would produce an academy player like him. 200,000K is daft money but that’s the state of the club atm, not many want the Glazers there but that’s what they’re working with. I’m delighted he’s there for another 4 yrs, he’s got the wage now it’s upto him to start earning it, I believe he will.
@Ich bin brendan: ok fair enough, you have your opinion on the matter and people that actually know a bit about football have there’s. Let’s be honest here, I doesn’t matter that your opinion is obviously that of a delusional fan that can’t look at things without your fan glasses on but that’s ok,, we will leave it there and I’ll let you get back to your colouring book and crayons, there’s a good boy,, don’t stay up to late… :) validate myself, ha ha ha ha ha..
@Devilsavocado: “that actually know a bit about football” you have me stumped, you’ve trouble validating your opinionated drivel. “Ha ha ha” like I said before, G!mp
He’s got to start delivering on his promise . A lot of cash for a man still not scoring regularly but he does have the potential to be an absolute world class player I just hope he does start getting 30 odd goals a season .
On his debut he’s scored 2 in the EPL, same in his Europa, 1 Champions league and on his derby debut. Also turned the best rb in the country inside out to score against their biggest rivals, with the golden glove winner in goal!
@Ich bin brendan: can throw in his debut in the EFL & FA Cup as well. So every cup comp available to him. Calling him over rated is being bias, he’s proven he’s capable, needs consistency with age.
Reminds me of Ian Rush
His nose is offside
Even as a man utd fan, I think he doesn’t deserve this, prove your worth then get the money, he didn’t prove anything last season to deserve half this money.