Philip du Preez
Former South African Schools lock Philip du Preez is 1 of 3 new signings by the Southern Kings.
The Southern Kings, who will return to Super Rugby next month after a 3-year absence, confirmed the singing of the young up and coming lock, Philip du Preez (22), versatile backline player Jurgen Visser (26) and seasoned hooker Martin Bezuidenhout (26).
Kings Chief Operating Officer Charl Crous also confirmed that Sharks player Jaco van Tonder (24) has joined the team on trial this week.
Du Preez has been described as 1 of the best up and coming lineout jumpers in the game.
He recently returned from France, where he played for Bayonne.
Du Preez 1st caught the eye when playing for the Lions in the Under 18 Craven Week competition in 2011, before making the SA Schools team that same year.
He then joined the Blue Bulls for the 2012 Under 19 competition, before moving to the Cheetahs the following year to represent them in the Under 21 competition. He made his Vodacom Cup debut for the Free State Cheetahs in 2014.
Jurgen Visser played 8 games for Western Province, before relocating to Pretoria – where he played 40 matches for the Blue Bulls in Currie Cup and 31 matches for the Bulls in Super Rugby.
Visser is known for his versatility, and although playing mostly at fullback, he has also played at wing and scrumhalf.
Martin Bezuidenhout, who played with Griquas in the Vodacom Cup and Currie Cup competitions last year, also played for the DHL Stormers and the Emirates Lions in Super Rugby.
Jaco van Tonder is also a versatile backline player. He moved from the George-based SWD Eagles, where he played in the Under 16 Grant Khomo and Under 18 Craven week competitions, to KwaZulu-Natal – where he joined the Sharks.
He made his debut for them in the 2012 Vodacom Cup.
Southern Kings squad (confirmed signings):
- Aidon Davis, 21, No 8
- Chris Cloete, 24, Flank
- Cornell Hess, 26, Lock
- CJ Velleman, 20, Flank
- Edgar Marutlulle, 27, Hooker
- Elgar Watts, 30, Flyhalf
- Jacobie Adriaanse, 30, Tighthead Prop
- Jacques “Vleis” Engelbrecht, 30, No 8
- James Hall, 19, Scrumhalf
- JC Astle, 25, Lock
- JP du Plessis, 24, Centre
- Jurgen Visser, 26, Fullback
- Kevin Luiters, 23, Scrumhalf
- Leighton Eksteen, 21, Scrumhalf / Flyhalf / Fullback
- Louis Fouché, 25, Flyhalf
- Lukhanyo Am, 22, Centre
- Luzuko Vulindlu, 28, Centre / Wing
- Malcolm Jaer, 20, Fullback
- Martin Ferreira, 26, Hooker
- Phillip du Plessis, 22, Lock
- Schalk Ferreira, 31, Prop
- Schalk Oelofse, 27, Lock
- Shane Gates, 23, Flyhalf
- Sipato Junior Pokomela, 19, No 8
- Siyanda Grey ,26, Wing / Centre
- Stefan Watermeyer, 27, Centre
- Stefan Willemse, 23, Flank
- Steven Sykes, 31, Lock
- Tazz Fuzani, 25, Lock
- Thembelani Bholi, 25, Flank
- Tom Botha, 25, Prop
- Tyler Paul, 20, Lock / Flank
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