Saffa swaps Van Graan's Bath for URC
TRANSFER NEWS: Connacht confirmed that vastly experienced loosehead prop Francois Van Wyk will join the United Rugby Championship team from Bath.
Van Wyk will arrive next season, following over 100 appearances in the English League across nine seasons at Bath, Leicester, and Northampton.
He featured 28 times for Bath last season, helping them to secure the Premiership title, and has remained an ever-present member of the matchday 23 this season.
Before he arrived at Bath he had three years in Leicester, and then four in Northampton, where he amassed over 80 appearances.
The 34-year-old South African first moved to England in 2017 after four years in Super Rugby, playing 21 times for Western Force.
Van Wyk stated: “I’m really looking forward to the move to Connacht in the summer. The opportunity of experiencing a new country, in a new league, is something that appeals to me at this stage of my career.
“From my discussions with everyone in Connacht I’m in no doubt that I can make a positive impact to the playing group and help bring success to the West of Ireland.”
Head coach Stuart Lancaster stated: “We’re confident Francois can be a real asset to the group next season. He’s an excellent scrummager, brings huge physicality whenever he plays, and comes with a wealth of experience at the highest level of Northern Hemisphere rugby.
“He plays an important role in a very successful Bath team, and we’re looking forward to him bringing those learnings from across his career.”