The Currie Cup trophy will stay in Bloemfontein for the six months before being moved to Pretoria for the following six - but unfortunately the situation surrounding Strauss's future is not that simple...

SA Under-21 hooker Strauss, who appeared as a replacement for the Blue Bulls during Saturday's epic Currie Cup Final (which saw him go up against his cousin, hooker Richardt), has signed a contract to play for the Cheetahs next season, but the Bulls are not keen to let him go.

Whilst Strauss - a former Grey College and Free State Craven Week star - is not unhappy in Pretoria, the presence of Bulls skipper Gary Botha and Chiliboy Ralepele, both of whom are current Springboks, looks set to curtail his game time in 2007 and beyond.

However, the Blue Bulls feel they still have an option to re-negotiate with the young hooker as certain clauses in his contract - specifically in terms of game time - were fulfilled this season.

According to Die Volksblad, the Bulls have written to the Free State Rugby Union, as well as Strauss (Adriaan, that is) and his agent, requesting that the matter be resolved as soon as possible. They are evidently hoping that the matter does not reach the courts.

Strauss, however, seems a tad confused at this stage.

"I have signed a contract at Free State and I know there is an option in my contract here. I am not even certain if I can go or not," Strauss told another newspaper, the Pretoria News.

"I want to stay, but I must consider my future. I am happy at the Bulls, but I am also from the Free State and it is a great place. My decision is primarily about how much chance I will get to play."

He added: "At that stage (when I signed) Free State were looking for hookers and they told me they were willing to wait, but they weren't willing to wait forever as they needed to finalise their squad.

"At the time it looked as if it was the most logical decision to make. I feel bad about it because I feel I am keeping both Provinces hanging on a string. But at the time I had not negotiated with the Bulls or talked to them about the future.

"I am not really sure at the moment. I want to stay, but Free State have also given me a good deal and I have a good relationship with them."