Former Springbok Bobo joins Falcons

Jul 3 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

NEWCASTLE Falcons’ 16th signing of a hectic summer will be one of their most high-profile after South Africa winger Gcobani Bobo signed a two-year deal at Kingston Park.

Director of rugby Steve Bates has been working hard to rebuild his squad almost from scratch after a host of departures – and in Bobo he has found an experienced campaigner with an impressive pedigree.

The 29-year-old comes to the North East with nine years’ Currie Cup experience and six Test caps to his name. He is also a former captain of Western Province Stormers. The last of his Springboks caps came against Italy in June 2008, and he has also played international sevens.

The hard-hitting midfielder was part of the Stormers side which faced the Lions last month. Ian McGeechan’s side only won with the final kick of the game.

Bobo started all but one of the club’s Super 14 games last term, but the prospect of adapting to life in the Premiership appeals.

“I will certainly miss the camaraderie,” he admitted Bobo. “But it is an exciting and new challenge for me.

“Rugby is a professional sport and opportunities to move abroad will, at some point, present themselves. Hopefully I can utilise my talents in another country for a new and ambitious team.

“I have always enjoyed England, having been there a few times on tour, and without trying to sell other countries short I felt it would be an easier move to make in terms of fitting in, speaking the language and knowing the players I will be playing with and against.

“The Guinness Premiership is a tough league and the European competitions are a great way to see new places and experience new cultures. The nice thing, however, is I will continue to test myself against some of the world’s top players.”

Bobo played against new Falcons fly-half Jimmy Gopperth in this year’s Super 14 – and is impressed by the calibre of player Bates has recruited.

He added: “It is an exciting time for the club, and we, as this new crop of players, have a fantastic opportunity to kick-start a brand new era at the Newcastle Falcons.

“Newcastle have lost a few senior players in recent times, but they have made shrewd new signings and have a lot of talented youngsters who have played for England at Saxons or sevens level.”

Bates sees Bobo’s arrival as a sign that, despite the loss of star names such as Jonny Wilkinson, Jamie Noon, Tom May and Rory Clegg, the Falcons’ ambitions remain undimmed.

He said: “Gcobani adds further significant international class to our back line, and we are delighted he has cho.,” he said.

“He is a player with vast Super 14 experience who has stepped up to full Test level, and his mixture of power, pace and running lines will see him as a key part of our midfield armoury.

“Having captained Western Province during the 2008 Currie Cup, he has already shown his leadership credentials and we look forward to his arrival.”

Once Bobo receives a visa he will join fellow new arrivals Gopperth, Tom Biggs, James Hudson, Filipo Levi, Rob Vickerman, Alex Walker, Chris Micklewood, Josh Afu, Charlie Amesbury, Will Welch, Alex Gray, Tom Catterick, Michael Tait and Grant Shiells.

Meanwhile, back rower Alex Gray has been named in the England Under-18s squad for the forthcoming tour of South Africa, having captained his country through their unbeaten spring programme against Scotland, Japan, Italy and Wales. T

The team’s coach is Bates’s predecessor at Kingston Park John Fletcher.