Kings lure SA Schools star back from France
The Kings, who will return to Super Rugby next month after a three-year absence, confirmed the singing of the young up and coming lock, Du Preez (22), versatile backline player Jurgen Visser (26) and seasoned hooker Martin Bezuidenhout (26).
Kings Chief Operating Officer Charl Crous also confirmed that Sharks player Jaco van Tonder (24) has joined the team on trial this week.
Du Preez has been described as one of the best up and coming line-out jumpers in the game.
He recently returned from France, where he played for Bayonne.
Du Preez first caught the eye when playing for the Lions in the Under-18 Craven Week competition in 2011, before making the SA Schools team that same year.
He then joined the Blue Bulls for the 2012 Under-19 competition, before moving to the Cheetahs the following year to represent them in the Under-21 competition. He made his Vodacom Cup debut for the Cheetahs in 2014.
Visser played eight games for Western Province, before relocating to Pretoria – where he played 40 matches for the Blue Bulls in Currie Cup and 31 matches for the Bulls in Super Rugby.
Visser is known for his versatility, and although playing mostly at fullback, he has also played at wing and scrumhalf.
Bezuidenhout, who played with Griquas in the Vodacom Cup and Currie Cup competitions last year, also played for the Stormers and the Lions in Super Rugby.
Van Tonder is also a versatile backline player. He moved from the George-based SWD Eagles, where he played in the Under-16 Grant Khomo and Under-18 Craven week competitions, to KwaZulu-Natal – where he joined the Sharks.
He made his debut for them in the 2012 Vodacom Cup.
Kings squad (confirmed):
Aidon Davis, 21, No.8
Chris Cloete, 24, Flank
Cornell Hess, 26, Lock
Cyril-John Velleman, 20, Flank
Edgar Marutlulle, 27, Hooker
Elgar Watts, 30, Flyhalf
Jacobie Adriaanse, 30, Tighthead Prop
Jacques Engelbrecht, 30, No.8
James Hall, 19, Scrumhalf
John-Charles Astle, 25, Lock
JP du Plessis, 24, Centre
Jurgen Visser, 26, Fullback
Kevin Luiters, 23, Scrumhalf
Leighton Eksteen, 21, Scrumhalf, Flyhalf, Fullback
Louis Fouche, 25, Flyhalf
Lukhanyo Am, 22, Centre
Luzuko Vulindlu, 28, Centre/Wing
Malcolm Jaer, 20, Fullback
Martin Ferreira, 26, Hooker
Phillip du Plessis, 22, Lock
Schalk Ferreira, 31, Prop
Schalk Oelofse, 27, Lock
Shane Gates, 23, Flyhalf
Sipato Junior Pokomela, 19, No.8
Siyanda Grey ,26, Wing, Centre
Stefan Watermeyer, 27, Centre
Stefan Willemse, 23, Flank
Steven Sykes, 31, Lock
Tazz Fuzani, 25, Lock
Thembelani Bholi, 25, Flank
Tom Botha, 25, Prop
Tyler Paul, 20, Lock, Flank
