Bok prop jumps ship to Sharks

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The Sharks have captured a veteran Springbok prop from the Lions as a replacement for the retired Coenie Oosthuizen.

Director of rugby Neil Powell has confirmed that Ruan Dreyer has joined the Sharks on a three-year contract from the Lions, in the wake of Oosthuizen’s injury-enforced retirement.

Dreyer, 33, successfully negotiated an early release from his contract with the Lions, where he made 13 appearances in all competitions last season.

Powell said that the seven-Test Springbok, who also enjoyed a stint in England with Gloucester, will be a vital addition to the Sharks.

“Unfortunately, Coenie picked up a career-ending neck injury, which forced him to go into early retirement,” Powell said.

“He had almost two years left on his contract with us. It was a cause for us to go and look for somebody else to come into his place.

“It was an opportunity for us to get Ruan Dreyer. It’s a like-for-like swap. Both are tightheads who can also cover loosehead for us. We have signed Ruan for the next three years. He is a very important piece for us in the team, especially for those first few games of the season when we might not have our Springboks available.”

Photo: Shaun Roy/Gallo Images

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