Rugby: Spencer to be pride of Lions into 2011

Former All Black Carlos Spencer will not only serve as the chief playmaker in the Lions Super 14 franchise this season but will also mentor young five-eighths in the franchise during the Currie Cup.

Lions' chief executive Manie Reyneke confirmed to SuperSport.com that Spencer had signed with the franchise and that he will play an integral role in the union over the next two years.

The signing of Spencer will help make up for the loss of big name players such as Andre Pretorius, Louis Ludick and Jaque Fourie, all of whom left the Lions in the off-season. There are few big names within the franchise, which recently appointed Springbok assistant Dick Muir as coach of the side.

Spencer will arrive within a week but has signed for two seasons with the Lions - with the second season in 2011 either as player or coach - or both, said Reyneke.

"Yes we've signed Carlos," Reyneke confirmed, "and we can't wait for him to arrive here. He will have a vital role to play in the team this season."

Spencer had also decided to stay on for the Currie Cup, more in a coaching role, and then return next year for the Super 14.

"We are lucky to have four very good young flyhalves here at the Lions," Reyneke told SuperSport.com, "Guys like Elton Jantjes, Ruan Boshoff, Burton Francis and Jody Rose have a lot of talent but could use a mentor like Carlos. He has all the experience and will be guiding them through the Currie Cup later this year as a skills coach."

Asked whether Spencer would return in 2011, Reyneke replied: "He is contracted for 2011, but it is up to him to decide whether he will play again, or just help us out with the coaching."

Spencer will help fill the void left by the loss of Pretorius to the Western Force, and according to his agent Stefan Weyers the contract is said to be one of the biggest in South African rugby history.