Leicester Tigers sign one of SA's best prospects to replace Wiese
TRANSFER NEWS: English club Leicester Tigers have announced that Junior Springbok of the Year Corné Beets has signed with the club on a long-term deal.
Beets, 20, is considered one of the best prospects in South African rugby having been a standout performer wearing the No.8 jersey for his country in last year’s Under-20 World Championships, scoring a try in the third-place play-off against England.
Beets played his schools rugby at Paarl Gymnasium in the Western Cape province of South Africa, the same school as future teammate, and double-World Cup winner Handré Pollard. Beets eventually headed to Pretoria to join the Bulls Academy.
“The incredible opportunity to become a member of the prestigious Leicester Tigers family excites me,” said Beets.
“It is an honour and a privilege to bring my enthusiasm and expertise to this legendary club, and I am eager to take on the challenges that lie ahead while creating lifelong memories with my teammates and the amazing Leicester Tigers supporters.
“I’m excited to fully immerse myself in Leicester’s rich culture and becoming a proud member of the community.”
The story continues below…
🐯 𝑯𝒆’𝒔 𝒈𝒐𝒕 𝒏𝒆𝒙𝒕…🇿🇦
Welcome, Corné! pic.twitter.com/BBBU62iXrH
ADVERTISEMENT— Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) March 19, 2024
Beets is set to help fill a big hole at No.8 as Springbok World Cup-winner Jasper Wiese will be leaving the club at the end of the current season.
Leicester Tigers General Manager Richard Wilks said: “We’re happy that a player with Corné’s potential will be joining our club and we’re excited to see what he can become in our program.
“We’ve seen the growth in players like Hanro Liebenberg and Jasper Wiese at Tigers and we’ve no doubt Corné will dedicate himself as those players have and grow from strength to strength at the club.
“From our meetings with him and from his reputation, Corné’s also got the right personality and character for our club, and we’re just excited for him to join us.”
Leicester Tigers head coach Dan McKellar added: “We’re really pleased to have Corné join us next season.
“Watching him play, he looks like a Leicester Tigers player.
“He’s tough, he’s physical and has a really high workrate and you those are characteristics that you want to see in a young player and from our conversations, he’s certainly got the right character to thrive at this club so we’re excited to welcome him to the group.”
