Marcel Brache
Utility back Marcel Brache and front-rower Francois van Wyk will remain with the Western Force until at least the end of 2017 after signing extensions this week.
Brache played all but 1 match for the Western Australian club this year, having joined the Western Force from South Africa’s DHL Western Province for the 2014 season.
Having joined the Force with 41 Currie Cup caps to his name for Western Province and a Varsity Cup title with the University of Cape Town Ikey Tigers, the 28-year-old says he’s excited about continuing his rugby in Perth.
“To be honest, I didn’t want to be anywhere else,” he said. “From a personal perspective, I’m really enjoying being a part of this team and this club. Professionally, I feel like my game is continuing to develop which is really important.
“It felt like a huge decision to come across initially, but now I’ve been here for 2 years I’m really keen to stay longer and I love living in Perth.
“It’s such a great team and environment to be a part of. Our supporters are fantastic and are so passionate and committed to the team’s cause, and I can’t wait to have the opportunity to repay the faith and support I’ve received from the club and our Sea of Blue.”
Powerful propping prospect, Van Wyk, has played 4 matches for the Western Force, including 2 at the beginning of the 2015 Super Rugby season before a torn pectoral muscle prematurely ended his campaign.
South African-born van Wyk, who previously represented DHL Western Province in South Africa’s Vodacom Cup, has returned to the field for the Perth Spirit in the National Rugby Championship (NRC), already demonstrating the strong impact and providing the set piece platform he was able to provide prior to his injury.
Van Wyk says he’s excited to be continuing his career with the Force.
“After my injury this season I thought it might be difficult to be re-signed, but the belief the Force has shown in me for the next 2 years really means a lot,” van Wyk said. “I just want to give as much back as I can to the Force over the next 2 years or more.
“I feel like I’ve improved massively from a technical point of view over the past 2 years, thanks to Foles (Michael Foley), Dave (Wessels) and Footey (Kevin Foote). I was just a young pup when I came originally, but technically and scrumming-wise I feel like I’ve improved a lot. While I know there’s still a lot to learn, it’s great to have 3 coaches that are so committed to helping me improve all areas of my game.
“It’s also been great having guys like Tet (Faulkner) and Pek (Cowan) around. For a young player like me, learning from guys who are the best in your position is so important. In my 1st year, I wanted to take every little bit of information that they gave me to get the knowledge to help me improve.
“I felt really unlucky to have the injury last season, but hopefully next year I’ll be ready to go. I’m really hungry to play and the NRC is so important for me in my preparation for next year, and I’m really hoping I can contribute to the team again.”
The duo joins Chris Heiberg, Oliver Hoskins and Pek Cowan (all signed to the end of 2016) and Tetera Faulkner (2017) as players that have already re-committed to the Force beyond the 2015 season.