PREM giants make late bid to hijack Sharks deal for gargantuan Springbok in wake of Siya Kolisi exit
Springboks captain Siya Kolisi, who is leaving the Sharks, and Bath boss Johann van Graan.
Defending Gallagher PREM champions Bath have reportedly come in at the 11th hour to try and tempt Sale Sharks star Dan du Preez to stay in England and not return to South Africa.
URC side the Sharks are looking to bolster their back-row stocks after it was confirmed that Springboks captain Siya Kolisi would be heading back to Cape Town after signing with the Stormers.
Du Preez, twin brother of Bordeaux-Begles forward Jean-Luc, had been earmarked by the Durbanites as an option and they were reportedly close to finalising a deal for the 2026/27 season.
Bath enter the race
However, RugbyPass are claiming that Bath have entered the race in order to hijack that move and bring the Springbok to the West Country from Sale.
While he is a slightly different player to Kolisi, the Sharks are looking for a big ball-carrier to complement their other loose forwards and Du Preez certainly fits that bill.
But Bath are always on the lookout for new additions to bolster their already gifted squad and the 30-year-old would add plenty of quality to their ranks.
He would also be joining a team that are in the hunt for more trophies after winning the Premiership title last season.
Johann van Graan’s men have also started this domestic season well, despite losing to Northampton Saints last time out, and are highly fancied for a tilt at the Investec Champions Cup.
It will depend on what Du Preez’s ambitions are. Although the Boks select from all around the world and the number eight’s presence in England does not preclude him from being involved, Rassie Erasmus does prefer to have his players in South Africa.
With the Rugby World Cup just under two years away, a good campaign at the Sharks could well convince Erasmus to bring him into the squad.
Only six caps
The back-rower made his Test debut in 2017 under Allister Coetzee and also started in Erasmus’ debut match against Wales, but his last international appearance came in the 2021 Rugby Championship.
Injury has played a part in that with Du Preez spending time on the sidelines, particularly this season, having featured in just four games for Sale.
When he has been fit, the back-rower has undoubtedly been a key player for the Greater Manchester outfit and will be missed when he leaves.
Where that is has yet to be determined with Bath now fighting it out with the Sharks for his signature ahead of the 2026/27 season.
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