Big Joe goes AWOL

Joe van Niekerk continues to frustrate his employers at Western Province and has now been accused of going AWOL by coach Kobus van der Merwe.

’Big’ Joe, who recently signed for UK second division club Northampton, was initially ruled out of action for six weeks with a back injury, but will now be unable to play for four months.

Great timing for him as that is when he is due to join up with his new club. His mother (also his manager) will be happy that he’ll be able to honour the start of that contract at least. Northampton be warned though – you’ve wasted your money!

Van Niekerk has been a total disaster since he was lured to Province from the Lions in 2004 by a huge pay offer. He has played exactly 13 Currie Cup games and 14 Super rugby games during his time in the Cape due to the various injury problems that have plagued him throughout his career.

Now he appears to have decided that he doesn’t have to bother with attending practices, despite the fact that he is still contracted to WP.

Western Province coach Kobus van der Merwe said on Tuesday that Van Niekerk had gone “AWOL”.

“He is out for four months, but all the other injured guys are here and are attending practices. He is still part of the WP squad, but he just doesn’t come to practices. For us it’s unfair that all the other injured guys who are contracted have to attend practices but Joe just doesn’t arrive,” he said.