I'd hope that this move is a positive for Jack Carty also. Plenty of room for both in the squad.

With a little bit of the pressure taken off his shoulders Jack should have the time to build on the promise he's shown over the last 12 months.

And meltdown over on Munsterfans in 5.....4.....3.....

Can't say I've ever heard of him, but that's not stopping me from booking tickets for the Champions Cup final next season.
Is it likely that we'll wine very game next season? Probably

I always get a bit worried when a chunk of the press release is pasted in from Wikipedia.
Looks positive though.

Wow! Very impressive signing! I guess this means AJ isn't being kept on? We'll hardly be allowed have 2 NIQ outhalves

don't know much about him but will be watching his games now in the super rugby, good signing on the face of it, now for a big no.8, is kieren reed available

I was thinking "WHO?" when I saw this but one figure changed my tune!

94% kicking success rate this past season

Connacht Rugby are pleased to announce that they have recruited South African outhalf Marnitz Boshoff on a two-year deal.

The 27-year-old from Nelspruit, South Africa, currently plays for Super Rugby side the Lions as well as the Golden Lions in the Currie Cup, the South African domestic league. He was capped for the Springboks in their mid-year test against Scotland in June 2014.

Boshoff made his Super Rugby debut in in a man-of-the-match performance in the opening round of the 2014 season, scoring all the Lions’ points – including a last-minute drop goal – to help them beat the Cheetahs 21–20 in Bloemfontein. He now has 29 super rugby caps and 214 points to his name.

He was selected to represent the Barbarians in their November 2014 tour of England. Coming on as a replacement, the young outhalf scored a try in the 36 – 40 defeat to Australia XV at Twickenham.

Boshoff has played for the Golden Lions since 2013, scoring 465 points in 25 games for the current champions. Over last year’s campaign, he had a 94% goal kicking average and kicked eight from eight in the semi-final and a further 12 points in the final win over Western Province to take the title.

Commenting on the new recruit, Connacht CEO Willie Ruane said:

“Marnitz comes to Connacht with a lot of big match experience and we’re excited about what he can bring to the squad for next season.”

Head coach Pat Lam added:

“In the context of where we are and where we are planning to be, Marnitz is an important signing for our squad. A lot of time and research went into identifying the right, experienced outhalf to fit the profile we were after.

“Marnitz is not only a proven and reliable goal kicker with an outstanding kicking game, but his game management has seen the rise of the Lions in Super Rugby over the last three seasons as well as him leading the Golden Lions to Currie Cup success.

“His experience will be invaluable to our young backline and we’re looking forward to welcoming him and his wife Monique to the West of Ireland.”

Marnitz, said:

“I’m really excited about the move to Connacht Rugby and Galway. From speaking to Pat (Lam), I have a good understanding of what the club is about and it’s clear that there is a huge amount of passion and ambition there in terms of where they want to go.

“I’ve watched a lot of the Connacht games this season. The rugby they are playing is really exciting and I believe that I can fit in to the structure and add something as well. I can’t wait to get stuck in.

“It’s a big move for myself and my wife Monique but we’re really looking forward to meeting everyone and settling into life in Ireland.”

Jaysus.

"Connacht sign Springbok outhalf Marnitz Boshoff"

www.connachtrugby.ie/#ConnachtNews

I really wish we get David McIlwaine for next season. Perfect back-three cover, strong, impressive skills ball in hands, huge kicker (as we need for long-distance pen/clearing). He's playing B&I QF now, on a short-term deal with Doncaster. Has European experience with Ulster. Should be heavily targeted.

pinky wrote:

salmson wrote:

pinky wrote: All this is on the squad page.

Browne confirmed 2 years so should say 2018 - Invalid consumer key/secret in configuration

Updated, I've been going on the premise that no contract length specified = 1 year, so there could be a few more that are not quite accurate. Maybe they're doing a Leinster on it and keeping it vague to keep the agents at bay.

Maybe, but security by obscurity is no security at all.

Good it will give Blade/Kerrins/Lowndes one more year to step up
Unexpected, I really think this good surprise (as well as Jake possible one) has a strong link with the last two wins. Coming from uncertain to very likely ChampionsCup Qualification has had an influence obviously ...

salmson wrote:

pinky wrote: All this is on the squad page.

Browne confirmed 2 years so should say 2018 - Invalid consumer key/secret in configuration

Updated, I've been going on the premise that no contract length specified = 1 year, so there could be a few more that are not quite accurate. Maybe they're doing a Leinster on it and keeping it vague to keep the agents at bay.

sea_point wrote: Can't see a player of the quality of Cooney staying with Connacht or in Ireland for only a straight down the middle one year deal...

I'd assumed that Cooney's ultimate plan was (is?) to get back to Leinster....and I wouldn't begrudge that to him (unlike certain other players).

Delighted to have him for another year anyway.

pinky wrote: Yeah, the one year deals are the only drawback to this flurry of activity.
We only have 4 players contracted beyond next season, and while I expect a couple more two year deals, I think we can expect all of the renewals for non first-teamers to be unspecified length (read: one season).
There are a good few squad players in there for whom a one year extension would be mutually beneficial - no sense in them leaving a team on the up, and no sense in Connacht tying themselves into anything longer.
So come September, we'll be straight back into "holy feck, we have no squad for next season" mode, and the fun and games will begin again ...

Think one year deals will most be handed out to those with injury histories, we can't be tying ourselves to players for two three seasons who are going to spend most of it sat in the physio room/rehab-ing...

These one year deals could very well be one+one's or one+two year deals based on achieving certain playing targets...

Can't see a player of the quality of Cooney staying with Connacht or in Ireland for only a straight down the middle one year deal...

pinky wrote: All this is on the squad page.

Browne confirmed 2 years so should say 2018 - Invalid consumer key/secret in configuration