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'Extraordinary case' made Charlie Ewels irresistible to the Bulls
Bulls boss Jake White has explained that their temporary signing of England lock Charlie Ewels is an “extraordinary case”, insisting that it won’t open the floodgates for overseas players to come and play their rugby in South Africa. The 27-year-old Bath lock hasn’t played since his serious training ground knee injury with England last June.
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His Gallagher Premiership club have just three games remaining this season in a campaign that will conclude on May 6. That limited schedule would leave Ewels without enough comeback games to demonstrate to new England head coach Steve Borthwick that he can play a capable part at Rugby World Cup 2023.
It’s a situation that has resulted in Bath boss Johann van Graan facilitating a short-term arrangement with his former club Bulls for Ewels to get some Currie Cup action in the coming months so that the second row is better placed to challenge for England inclusion.
It is a big deal, an England international moving to the southern hemisphere to get match minutes in his legs, but Bulls coach White doesn’t believe this will now open the door to a slew of non-South African players coming to rugby for the franchises.
“No, I don’t think so,” he said. “This is an extraordinary case. This is about a guy who is 27 years old and trying to get into the World Cup squad. He has a relationship with us through people we know at Bath, he wants to play rugby and we are just happy to have him here.
“I don’t think this is the way forward. I can’t see international players wanting to come and play here when they can earn the salaries they earn overseas. I don’t think it would be fair the way we make up our squads to pick all these overseas-based players. We already have restricted numbers; we already have transformation changes we have got to put into place.
“I can’t see there is going to be an abundance of overseas players coming into our setup. This is a very unique situation – and one that we would like to use in our favour.”
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Ewels hasn’t been cleared just yet to feature in the URC, the tournament where the Bulls, last year’s beaten finalists, are currently seventh with just two regular-season games remaining before the playoffs. In the Currie Cup, though, the Bulls still have nine regular-season matches left, a schedule that would take Ewels through to June 10 with the Pretoria-based club before the finals.
“I don’t think he is allowed to play in URC,” explained White. “We are still trying to find some paperwork that we need to do and when we get that paperwork, he could quite possibly be available sooner rather than later. But at this point in time, we are still waiting for paperwork.
“It’s a bit of a double win. Firstly, we get a player like him, 30 tests for England, 111 games for Bath, captained the England junior side, won a Junior World Cup – so a lot of experience. Very good in the lineout, so that is a win for us. And for him, he is trying really hard to get into the World Cup set up.
“He needs to play some games, needs to have some rugby under his belt, and it’s very fortunate that if we can get the two married together, he is a gain for us and hopefully we can help him play good rugby and get himself into the mix for the World Cup.”
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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