Ex-Springbok Robert du Preez to join Top 14 club

As from next season, former Springbok and Sale Sharks “fan favourite” Robert du Preez will be calling France his new home.

This comes after it was reported that he will be playing his trade at the Top 14 club Aviron Bayonne.

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The news was confirmed via an Instagram post shared by Aviron Bayonne containing a video package of some of the 32-year-old’s outstanding performances, welcoming him to the club.

“Robert du Preez commits from Sale Sharks starting from next season. After being alongside Manu Tuilagi in England, he will bring his versatility to the 3 / 4 line,” the club enthusiastically captioned the post.

Fan favourite

In a statement of their own, Sale Sharks sang the praises of the former Springbok flyhalf who first joined the team on loan at the end of 2018, before committing to a permanent contract to join his twin brothers, Daniel and Jean-Luc, at the Manchester-based rugby club ahead of the 2019/2020 Premiership season.

“Equally happy at flyhalf or in the centres, Rob quickly became a key part of the Sharks team and has gone on to make more than 160 appearances for the club, many alongside younger brothers Jean-Luc and Dan. He has scored 881 points,” Sale reflected in a statement.

“Fans’ favourite Rob has clocked up 76 consecutive Prem starts – a league record – and last season his 1 520 minutes were bettered by only two players,” the statement continued.

Leaving was a difficult decision

After having spent six seasons at the club, Rob, as he is affectionately referred to, explained that the decision to leave was far from easy.

“This has been a really difficult decision because of the genuine love I have for the club, the city and my team-mates.

“There will be plenty of time for talking at the end of the season – all my focus and commitment now is on making sure this is a season to remember for everyone associated with Sale Sharks.”

Joins another Springbok and former Stormer

While this will be the first time in years that he will not be playing alongside his brother, he will soon be joining another South African and Springbok player, Herschel Jantjies.

Jantjies, who joined Aviron Bayonne from the Stormers, made his Springbok debut in 2019, just a year after Robert du Preez.

However, both have since fallen out of favour with the national selectors.

Should they thrive as a 9/10 partnership next season, coach Rassie Erasmus might have to start looking in their direction.

Factfile: Robert du Preez