SA Players Abroad: Scott Mathie (Leeds Carnegie)

At 1.79m and weighing just shy of 90kg's Scott Mathie was born in Durban early in 1983. Mathie has played for Leeds since 2008 but prior to that played Currie Cup and SupeRugby for the Sharks.
At the Sharks he played behind Ruan Pienaar and Rory Kockott in his first few seasons there. After Kockott injured himself Mathie forced his way back into the first team set up. 
Leeds Carnegie are at the bottom of the Aviva Premiership and face relegation, Head Coach Neil Back has also quit citing he has done all in his power and can do no more.

SA Players Abroad: Schalk Brits (Saracens)

Schalk Brits is another one of South Africa's best exports. If you want to dive deeper into it you will see that it was almost a no brainer considering he was schooled at Paul Roos Gymnasium and Stellenbosch University.
He left the Stormers/WP at the end of 2009 to play for the English Club Saracens.
Since his move he has notched up more points than caps for the club. The reason being is that as a tight forward (hooker) he plays like a loosie with the skills of a flyhalf. I honestly believe that he is a centre stuck in a hookers body, Wow! Did I just say that?
Truth be told, this reason probably didn't allow him to play more for the Springboks. When the Boks were hunting for a massive and solid tight five they overlooked an extremely mobile and talented player. I hope we get to see more of Brits in the SupeRugby years to come. In the mean time you can watch 5ft 11in running, passing, side-stepping hooker playing in the AVIVA Premiership for Saracens. You won't be disappointed.

Watch Schalk Brits in action against Wasps:

SA Players Abroad: Joe van Niekerk (Toulon)

52 test Springbok Loose Forward, Joe van Niekerk is well known by South African and international supporters. Little is known on South African shores as to how well he has been doing at French Club Toulon!

Van Niekerk is captaining the club but more importantly,  captaining them in this weekends Heineken Cup Quarter Final against fellow French Top 14 competitors Perpignan. See Fixtures here. He has also led the club to the Semi Final of the Top 14 Championship as well as finalist in the Amlin Challenge, both in the 2009/2010 season
He had a magnificent junior rugby career and captained SA Schools (He was schooled at King Edward VII School.), SA u19 and SA u21. 
Van Niekerk was moved straight into the Springboks squad from the u21's without playing a Currie Cup or SupeRugby game. Joe van Niekerk represented the Lions in Super 12 and the Stormers in Super 14 before attempting a move to Northampton Saints (contract was terminated before arriving at the Club) and finally settling in Toulon.  

SA Players Abroad: BJ Botha (Ulster)

Botha is a Durban boy through and through. Born and bread in Durban he was schooled at Durban High School and Kloof High School. All Currie Cup and SupeRugby (Super 14) was played at the Sharks who he represented from 2001-2008.

Botha received a Springbok call up in 2006 and has represented the National team 18 times. He signed for Ulster in 2008 and is currently still playing in Ireland. He faces a tough challenge in Brian Mujati of Northampton Saints in this weekends Heineken Cup Quarter Finals.

SA Players Abroad: Brian Mujati (Northampton Saints)

Mujati is a Zimbabwean born Springbok Rugby player. Ironically he went to the same school as the Springboks 'other' import, Tendai 'Beast' Mtawarira who is currently playing for the Sharks. Mujati started his career at the Lions and played there for two seasons before moving to the Stormers.
He has been capped 12 times for the Springboks at prop. 2009 saw him moving to the northern hemisphere to play for the Saints where he has played 33 games for the Club and cemented himself as a first choice player in the team.. He faced a long ban last season as he was accused of pushing referee Nigel Owens in their Heineken Cup Defeat to Perpignan.
Mujati will be hoping this this years Heineken Cup fairs better than last seasons as the Saints are in the last Eight and Face Pedrie Wannenberg's Ulster team in the Quarters. See Fixtures here.

SA Players Abroad: Pedrie Wannenberg (Ulster)

Wannenberg is well known in South African rugby circles for his time at the Blue Bulls and 20 tests for the Springboks. Pedrie Wanneneberg is currently plying his trade in Ireland for Heineken Cup hopefuls , Ulster Rugby.
If Wannenberg succeeds in winning the Heineken Cup, he will join a very elite group of players (Currently sitting on two with Rod Kafer and Doug Howlett) to win the top tournaments in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere, namely the SupeRugby tournament and Heineken Cup.
The Heineken Cup Quarter Finals are being played this weekend, so check your local listings for coverage.

SA Players Abroad: JP du Plessis (Melbourne Rebels)

Born in Kroonstad South Africa in 1991, du Plessis is earmarked as a Springbok. Having matriculated from Paul Roos Gymnasium who would be surprised?
He switched codes to play Rugby League in 2010 at the Sydney Roosters and fortunately has made his way back to Union in 2011, playing for the Melbourne Rebels.
At 6ft 1in and weighing 92kg's his preferred positions are wing and centre. I am looking forward to seeing what he has to offer.