PREM club snap up South African prop to ease injury concerns
Dian Bleuler (left) joins the Cherry and Whites with immediate effect
Gloucester have confirmed the signing of Sharks front-row forward Dian Bleuler with immediate effect, with the club in the midst of a major injury plague.
His arrival at Kingsholm comes with fellow loosehead props Val Rapava-Ruskin and Jamal Ford-Robinson currently sidelined with respective knee injuries.
The 26-year-old prop has also enjoyed a loan stint with Irish giants Munster last season, making seven appearances in all competitions.
‘I’m incredibly grateful to Gloucester for the opportunity’
A product of the Western Province youth system and featuring in the Currie Cup, Bleuler made his professional Stormers debut against the British and Irish Lions in 2021, but quickly headed to Durban to join the Sharks in 2022.
He made 22 senior appearances for the Sharks in the next three seasons, alongside several Currie Cup bows, most recently coming off the bench in their URC clash against Glasgow Warriors.
Commenting on his move to Kingsholm, Bleuler said: “I’ve always wanted to play in the PREM, and I’m incredibly grateful to Gloucester for the opportunity.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play in some amazing stadiums in my career so far, but I’ve heard there’s nothing quite like The Shed!
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“Putting on the Cherry & White jersey and following in the footsteps of some great South Africans will be a really proud moment for me.”
Roll VT 🎬
The latest addition to the Gloucester Rugby family 🙌 pic.twitter.com/DsgoXkiyq9
— Gloucester Rugby 🍒 (@gloucesterrugby) October 15, 2025
Also commenting, Gloucester director of rugby, George Skivington, added: “It’s no secret we’ve lost a few players to injury, and while we are expecting to get some lads back in the coming weeks, it’s great to have Dian come in to fill the space now and provide competition in the long term.
“The set-piece is his bread and butter, but he’s also mobile and dynamic around the park, which fits well with the way we’re trying to play.
“We’re all looking forward to welcoming him into the squad and getting him involved in the coming weeks.”
