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Ex-Junior Springboks set for NFL trial after consistently kicking 75-yard field goals in practice
Ex-Junior Springboks winger Lloyd Greeff will head to California next month to try out as a kicker for American football NFL teams. The former Lions and Cheetahs player, who also had a stint in Europe with Zebre, has been consistently kicking 75-yard field goals in practice, a distance that is eleven yards longer than any field goal in the history of NFL matches.
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Greeff is being assisted in transitioning from rugby to American football by World Wide Scholarships (WWS) and Jim Ulrich from Enter Sports Management. With the backing of WWS and Ulrich, Greeff will participate in the HUB Combine event on May 23 in California where 27 NFL general managers will be in attendance to find new talent for their 2021 rosters.
The HUB Combine event is designed to help propel free-agent players into the world of professional NFL. WWS CEO Munya Maraire said: “There is no doubt that Africa is brimming with some of the best talent in the world and we cannot wait to link that talent with the opportunities it needs to be showcased.
“Working with ESM enables us to partner with one of the most prestigious agencies in the world with a reputation for placing undiscovered talent on the biggest of stages. Africa’s time is now and we are right behind our talent.”
Greeff, 27, has been training since being picked at the WWS scout camp in South Africa in December 2020. He added: “I have been training six days a week with a strong focus on speed work, strength and conditioning. American football is not too different to rugby when it comes to most training, but I have concentrated on my speed work more so as the game is focused on bursts of short sprints.
'The disappointment of the way it ended at Wembley is something that some nights keeps you awake a little bit. It wakes you up with a cold sweat'
At 37, @DerickHougaard wants a crack at the NFL, and yes, he's done his homework, as @heagneyl ??? found outhttps://t.co/8tojLZxnEL
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 29, 2020
“I’m very excited for the next phase of my career and playing American football is a dream for many and I know with the hard work and dedication I have put into my training, I can be one of the first South African trained sportspeople to play in the NFL.”
Former Springboks out-half Derick Hougaard was another one of last December’s South African camp tryouts near Pretoria. Effectively retired from elite rugby since 2012 due to injury, he was looking to sufficiently capture the eye of American football scouts and take his first step towards an NFL career just a month shy of his 38th birthday.
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It didn’t work out for him but he told RugbyPass at the time: ” The way my rugby career ended, I didn’t get to play my last game in South Africa. Some people ask me every time are you going to play one more season, you’re still young enough? They don’t know the seriousness of the injury.
“But the reaction has been crazy and has put more pressure on not to make it but after getting into this position to really try and do your best, do your attention to detail and understand the sport as well, not rocking up and just kicking the ball. It has been overwhelming the support the people have given. I imagine if there is a small sliver of hope of making it, a lot more South Africans will watch the NFL.”
"Quite a weird accident…"
– Springboks lock Eben Etzebeth has been speaking on @TheRugbyPod about his recent injury setback https://t.co/hjZuvfoTFd
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 20, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
Completely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
54 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
54 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
54 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to comments