Harlequins have confirmed the signing of powerhouse prop Maks van Dyk on loan for the remainder of the 2020/21 season.
The 28-year-old joins the Club from reigning French Top14 Champions Toulouse, bolstering Harlequins’ propping options for the duration of the disrupted 2019/20 season, serving as injury cover for new signing Craig Trenier and soon-to-arrive Springbok Wilco Louw.
A product of the famous Paarl Boys’ High School in South Africa and a IRB Junior World Championship winner with the South African U20 side in 2012, van Dyk joins Quins having spent the last four years in France, with experience playing for reigning Pro14 champions Leinster, the Barbarians as well as the Natal Sharks, Griquas and Cheetahs in South Africa.
Commenting on his move to The Stoop, van Dyk said: “I really like the atmosphere of this team and we’ve got really good coaches.
“I was a big fan back in 2009 of Adam Jones when the British and Irish Lions came back to South Africa, he had a huge tournament; and the intensity of Jerry [Flannery], it’s really good.
“The guys here know how to switch on, and they know how to switch off off the field and make jokes - but when it’s go time, we do it. It will be really great to experience Premiership Rugby and I’m looking forward to competing for Harlequins.”
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5 foreign players who could be capped by England when rugby returns
Here are five players who could also pull on the white jersey in the near future:
1. Ruan Ackermann – Gloucester (South Africa)
His Dad Johan Ackermann, who departed as Gloucester boss for Japan earlier this month, confirmed that his son will be staying with the Cherry & Whites to persue international honours, and has already been in contact with Eddie Jones. The imposing number eight qualify for England on residency grounds in August 2020 -- just four months before World Rugby's new eligibility laws kick in.
2. Jason Woodward - Gloucester (New Zealand)
The New Zealand‑born full-back who joined Gloucester from Bristol in the summer has already been included in an England training squad. With Eddie Jones revealing he is looking for competition for George Furbank at full-back, Woodward could find himself winning his first full cap at some point in the future.
3. Ratu Naulago - Bristol Bears (Fiji)
The speedster took Super League by storm with Hull RFC, scoring 17 tries in 26 games, before signing with Bristol Bears for the 2020/21 Gallagher Premiership season. It will be a switch back to union for Naulago, who previously won the Premiership 7s title with Saracens. If he can hit the ground running, he'd be right in the frame for a call-up from Eddie Jones.
4. Cameron Redpath - Bath Rugby (France)
The son of 60-cap Scotland legend Bryan Redpath, centre Cameron was born in Narbonne, France. He was selected in England's 34-man squad for their 2018 tour of South Africa but was unable to travel with the squad because of injury. The 20-year-old, who recently departed Sale Sharks for Bath Rugby, has also represented England U20, scoring three tries in nine appearances.
5. Gerbrandt Grobler - Gloucester (South Africa)
Whether England would consider him as and when he becomes eligible remains to be seen but Grobler maintains an ambition to play at the highest level. “Obviously you wouldn’t turn it down [if Eddie Jones called]. I don’t think anyone would. You’ve got to have belief in yourself, otherwise why are you playing this game? You’ve got to have ambitions and goals but I’ll keep them to myself. There is always hope.”
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