I don't think Jesse Kriel will move from the Bulls to the Cheetahs at this stage.
The Bulls have secured the signature of Adriaan Strauss and Lappies Labuschagne, both from the Cheetahs for the coming season although they are likely to lose promising hooker Bongi Mbonambi at the end of the season.
Combined with Cai, inspiring signings.Martin Roberts: Bath --> Ospreys
Adam Jones to Bristol.
What a sudden and sad end to what was a great career.
Yeah, going from being arguably the top TH prop in the world to playing championship rugby within the space of 18 months is a bit jarring I'd imagine. Best of luck to him anyway, he's achieved pretty much everything he could have in the game. Part of that great generation of Welsh players in the late 00's, along with Shane Williams, Stephen Jones, Gethin Jenkins, Martyn Williams, etc. Really likable bunch of guys too.
On the plus side, at least he doesn't have to go through the same experience as John Hayes, namely having his name somewhat soiled by being continuously picked internationally when it's clear he's no longer up to scratch.
Adam, unlike Hayes, was actually a quite good in his prime though.
He's been the biggest victim of the civil war I'm afraid, with his contract getting messed up with the infighting. He is still a solid scrummager who can hold up a scrum, and deserved a place in the Wales 23, but he is a player who unlike others needs games to keep in shape and I can see him regressing in an easy environment in the Championship where the likes of Campese Ma'afu get to be first choice props. Not sure he can recover from this.
Oh stop it you. You're going to have to make your bait less obvious than that if you want to get a bite.
How the heck is Adam Jones not joining a french club?!
They don't need their props for much else than scrummaging, and he's considerably high profile enough. Going to Bristol?!
Also, how is Bristol still signing quality players after missing out on promotions? I thought after they bought the tonne of players they had - and then didn't make the premiership they'd be trying to offload some of their players!
Bristol's majority shareholder is a billionaire whose open ambition and belief is that Bristol belong in the Premiership and that they will continue to build and maintain a Premiership-worthy squad until they get there. Money is not an issue. They'd probably sign Dan Carter and Israel Folau tomorrow if they could.
As for Jones - he's presumably getting a decent whack and doesn't have to move very far. You can see the appeal there, even if he could have earned more elsewhere.
edit: Duck's assertion that this is basically the end of Jones seems very premature.