South African signs for London Welsh

 

Snyman, 30, joins Welsh after a season in Pro D2, where the South African helped Montauban to a respectable tenth place finish on the club's return to France's second tier.

 

The 122kg second row joined Montauban after a distinguished playing career in South Africa where he gained a wealth of Vodacom Cup and Currie Cup experience with Leopards, Eastern Province Kings and Griquas.

 

Snyman, who can also play No.8, captained the South African President's XV to success in the inaugural Tbilisi Cup in Georgia in 2013, where they also overcame Uruguay and Emerging Ireland. He also represented the Blue Bulls at Under-20 level.

 

Centre Palamo, 26, has been capped five times by USA Eagles and will join up with the Exiles for the remainder of the 2015/16 campaign following the World Cup.

 

Last month he played a starring role in the Eagles' first-ever Sevens World Series title win, as they clinched the London Sevens at Twickenham. Palamo was a try scorer in the Eagles' 45-22 victory over Australia in the final.

 

His international debut came as a 19-year-old at the 2007 World Cup against eventual champions South Africa, before representing his country at the 2008 Under-20 World Cup and captaining the Sevens team at the 2009 World Games.

 

He joined Saracens in 2014, initially on a three-month trial, and made his debut against the Ospreys in the Anglo-Welsh Cup at the Gnoll.

 

Palamo, whose father Arona played for Samoa, spent a season at Biarritz before returning home to study at the University of Utah. Having led the Utes to the Collegiate Sevens title, he went on to earn a three-year American Football scholarship, but after his release the physical centre returned to rugby union as part of the USA Sevens set-up. 

 

He came to the attention of Saracens at Rugby Combine, an event held especially for players that had either been cut from NFL or missed out on the Draft to showcase their abilities.

 

Born in Woodland, California, Palamo represented Samoa at Under-19 level and Sevens before electing to play for the USA Eagles.

 

London Welsh Director of Rugby Steve Lewis said: "We are delighted to have secured the services of Brendon and Thretton for the forthcoming season.

 

"Brendon is a tough, experienced and powerful South African second row. Fresh from a season in France, he will add a real competitive edge to our forward pack. 

 

"Thretton is an exciting talent and we are grateful to Saracens for releasing him to us. He is 195cm and 116kg with pace and skill and we look forward to him joining up with us after his World Cup commitments. 

 

"I first saw him play at the Sevens in San Diego a few years ago and his talent was pretty obvious, and when he became available I had no hesitation in pursuing the opportunity. We have the players to bring out the best in him.

 

"Brendon and Thretton are the latest additions to what will be an extremely competitive, experienced and exciting squad for the 2015/16 season. Competition for places will be fierce."