Currie Cup winner Tinus de Beer joins URC side
TRANSFER NEWS: Cardiff have confirmed the signing of South African flyhalf Tinus de Beer.
The 27-year-old arrived at the Arms Park this morning and will immediately link up with his new teammates in preparation for the 2023-24 season.
De Beer joins the Blue and Blacks following two years with the Pumas, in which he has guided them to back-to-back Currie Cup finals, winning one title and finishing last season as the competition’s top points scorer.
The former Junior Springbok is thrilled to join Cardiff and is determined to do everything he can to drive the team forwards.
He said: “I am extremely grateful to be here. It is a great club with great history and great culture. It is a club that strives on playing attractive rugby and a club that is ultimately looking to win games.
“You think of all the players who have been here, that tells its story. I have watched a lot of Cardiff games and everyone knows Cardiff Arms Park next to Principality Stadium.
“There are a lot of guys like Josh Navidi, who has just retired, Sam Warburton and even Jonah Lomu, that’s just three names from a big bunch of players so it is exciting to be here.
“Firstly I just want to get going with the boys and to buy into a system that works here at the moment. I am here to play rugby, I’m not here for a vacation or to prove anyone wrong or right, I am here to work hard with the boys.
“In the URC I would love to make the play-offs so [long-term], keeping that in mind and working hard towards that goal.”
De Beer came through the ranks of the Blue Bulls in Pretoria and has also spent time with the Griquas. He is widely regarded as one of the most talented South African flyhalves outside of the United Rugby Championship and boasts an all-round game.
He added: “You could say I am a more kicking flyhalf or an attacking flyhalf. I think I have good balance between the two.
“In the past, I have been more of a kicking flyhalf but now I tend to be more attacking. Every team wants and needs a flyhalf who can direct the game, game management and putting the kicks through the polls.”
De Beer is the club’s second new signing ahead of the 2023-24 season, following the capture of Rhys Litterick from Harlequins, while a host of players have signed new contracts.