Northampton Saints have confirmed the signing of former Lions and Vodacom Bulls skipper Burger Odendaal ahead of the 2023/24 season.
Odendaal will link up with the English Premiership club from Japanese Top League side Toshiba Brave Lupus, whom he joined after departing embattled English Premiership club Wasps.
His Wasps career lasted just four games before the club was forced into administration. Having already spent a season in Japan, the journeyman centre was snapped up by Brave Lupus boss Todd Blackadder after talks with the Sale Sharks fell through.
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“South African centre Burger Odendaal will join Northampton Saints ahead of the 2023/24 season. Odendaal will arrive at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens this summer from Japanese side Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo,” a club statement read.
“The 29-year-old previously captained South African sides the Lions [34 appearances] and the Bulls [111 appearances] across the Super Rugby, Currie Cup and more recently United Rugby Championship competitions.
“The 6ft 2in player also spent the 2018/19 campaign in Japan with Kubota Spears and having already showcased his physicality and ball-carrying ability in the Premiership during his brief stint with Wasps, Odendaal is eager to return to England next term.”
Centre of attention ?
We’re excited to confirm the signing of classy South African @BurgerOdendaal ahead of the 2023/24 season.
➡️ https://t.co/m3c6hfoDWq pic.twitter.com/yqSeSOFAqp
— Northampton Saints ? (@SaintsRugby) January 10, 2023
Odendaal added: “The last couple of months have been a crazy time for my family and me but I’m very grateful and excited to have the opportunity to come to Northampton Saints. Having spoken to the coaches, I was really impressed by their honesty and I enjoy the brand of rugby that Northampton plays.
“Throughout my career, I have maybe been seen just as someone who can act as a bit of a battering ram in the midfield, but I believe there is a lot more to my game than just taking the ball into contact – I like attacking to space and playing attacking rugby, so it’s exciting for me to join a team like Saints who play in that style already.
“We were just getting used to life in the UK when everything happened with Wasps and the Premiership, from what I experienced so far, is a competition filled with great teams. I’m really looking forward to returning and testing myself in English rugby once again.”
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Northampton boss Phil Dowson added: “We had a good look at Burger even before he had signed for Wasps, so we know he is a quality player. We need guys in our midfield at Saints who can move the ball well with the way we want to play, so Burger’s all-round game was an important factor for us.
“He showed while he was in South Africa, and during his short time in the Premiership, that he is also extremely capable in defence as well as being a skilful kicker off either foot, and we like his ability to carry the ball hard too. He is very self-aware around his own game with that typically South African ability to consistently get over the gain line, so we are sure he will be a great fit for us.”
Photo: @WheresTommyV/Twitter