Former Springbok wing Courtnall Skosan has signed with Northampton Saints in the English Premiership after parting ways with the Sigma Lions.
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This week it was announced that Skosan had left the Johannesburg franchise, with whom he spent most of his professional career since November 2013.
Rumours suggesting his move to Saints was confirmed on Tuesday, with the club stating:
“Blessed with explosive pace and an impressive work rate, as well as a sharp handling and kicking game, Skosan is a winger with plenty to offer on both sides of the ball and brings bags of experience to Northampton’s group of back-three players.
“Skosan will land at Franklin’s Gardens in the coming weeks with Saints’ pre-season preparations for the new Gallagher Premiership campaign now in full swing,” the statement read.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be taking on a new adventure in England with Northampton Saints,” said Skosan.
“It is a club with an incredible history of success, competing in two of the best tournaments in the world in the Premiership and Champions Cup, and I’ve heard fantastic things about how good it is to play at Franklin’s Gardens.”
Growing up in Cape Town, where he was noticed playing sevens by Springbok legend Chester Williams, Skosan’s break came in Pretoria with the Blue Bulls at the start of his career before moving to Joburg to play for the Lions in 2014 – they won the Currie Cup one year later, and reached the Super Rugby final three years running from 2016 to 2018.
The pacey wing also played for South Africa at the World Rugby U20 Championship in 2011, and South Africa A in 2016, before his full international debut for the Springboks in 2017.
Northampton’s director of rugby Chris Boyd added: “Courtnall obviously is a winger with a sharp turn of pace and a high level of athleticism, but he also brings a fantastic work rate and is well suited to the physicality of the Premiership.
“He has plenty of experience playing top-level rugby internationally with South Africa and in Super Rugby with the Lions.
“We know he’ll add something unique to our back-three group, so we’re delighted to bring him to Northampton ahead of the new season.”
Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
