SARugbymag.co.za looks at the South African players who have made big moves for the upcoming 2021-22 Premiership season, including Juarno Augustus and Duhan van der Merwe.
Bath
Bath’s big South African signing is loose forward Jaco Coetzee, brought in from the Stormers earlier this year. Coetzee was available for the latter stages of the 2020-21 campaign, but was still finding his feet in England. With Zach Mercer departing for France, Coetzee will be expected to fill the gap vacated by the excellent England No 8.
Experienced loosehead prop Johannes Jonker has also joined Bath from Championship side Ealing Trailfinders. The 27-year-old has previously played for the Lions and Montpellier.
Harlequins
While not a South African, Huw Jones is a player well known in the republic given his stint with the Stormers. The Scottish centre has joined Harlequins from the Glasgow Warriors and could potentially form a deadly midfield pairing with Springbok heavyweight Andre Esterhuizen.
Meanwhile, Quins lost flyhalf Brett Heron, who recently made his debut for Top 14 team Biarritz.
Leicester Tigers
The Leicester Tigers have had a busy window, with lock Eli Snyman, Springbok flank Marco van Staden and loosehead prop Francois van Wyk among their 14 signings for the 2021-22 Premiership season. When he returns from the Bok camp, Van Staden could form an all-South African back row with Hanro Liebenberg and Jasper Wiese, with Cyle Brink also at the club.
Meanwhile, former Cheetahs prop Luan de Bruin has moved from the Tigers to Edinburgh.
London Irish
London Irish have also bolstered their squad with three South Africans: former Cheetahs centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg (NEC Green Rockets), ex-Bulls prop Marcel van der Merwe (La Rochelle) and former Stormers and Kings hooker Mike Willemse (Edinburgh).
Former Lions scrumhalf Nic Groom has been released from the squad.
Newcastle Falcons
Newcastle have brought in one South African, tighthead prop Richard Palframan from the Worcester Warriors.
Northampton Saints
After missing out on the playoffs last season, Saints have further strengthened their squad by signing 2017 Junior World Player of the Year Juarno Augustus from the Stormers and experienced wing Courtnall Skosan from the Lions.
Having only joined in 2020, flank Shaun Adendorff has left for a return to ProD2 with Nevers.
Sale Sharks
Manchester-based Sale have added to their big contingent of South Africans with tighthead prop Nick Schonert joining from the Worcester Warriors.
Saracens
On their return to the Premiership from the Championship, Saracens have added two South African scrumhalves to their squad: Ivan van Zyl and USA international Ruben de Haas.
Michael Rhodes has left to join French team Agen.
Wasps
Coventry-based Wasps have brought Nizaam Carr back from the Bulls, as well as former Bok scrumhalf Francois Hougaard and tighthead prop Pieter Scholtz.
Juan de Jongh left the club to return to the Stormers.
Worcester Warriors
Worcester’s big signing in a busy window has come in the form of British & Irish Lions and Scotland wing Duhan van der Merwe.
A host of South Africans have left the club, including loose forward Cornell du Preez (Toulon), Francois Hougaard (Wasps), Richard Palframan (Newcastle Falcons), Nick Schonert (Sale Sharks), Scott van Breda (Jersey Reds) and GJ van Velze (released).
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
