Reports suggest that Bath Rugby are poised to reinforce their front row ahead of the 2023/24 season by targeting another South African forward, according to Rugby Pass.
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Johann van Graan, Bath’s head of rugby, has been actively seeking to bolster their loose-head options, and it appears that Leicester Tigers’ Francois van Wyk has emerged as a prime candidate.
Van Wyk, who was recently confirmed as one of 10 players departing Welford Road, seems eager to continue his career in the UK. Bath seems to be at the forefront of the race to secure his services, according to Rugby Pass.
The 32-year-old hails from the Western Cape of South Africa and has a solid rugby background, having played for Western Province in his youth and making significant contributions to Ikey Tigers during their victorious 2011 Varsity Cup campaign.
Leicester Tigers general manager, Richard Wilks said: “In professional sport you invariably have to say goodbye to good people at the end of each season and with this group they are all very, very good people.”
“All these lads have made massive contributions to the club. When we look back on the likes of Jasper, Nic and Guy; there’s a lot of pride in their development, becoming international players whilst at the club and they’ll be missed around Oval Park.
“Those guys, Scotty and Franna were also big parts in winning a Premiership title for the club. Those memories will live on past their playing careers.
“We wish all our departing players the best for the future they will always be warmly welcomed back at Leicester Tigers.”
Leicester Tigers 2023/2024 Farewells
Phil Cokanasiga, Tiger #2381
Nic Dolly, Tiger #2348
Guy Porter, Tiger #2330
Joe Powell, Tiger #2407
Dan Richardson, Tiger #2359
Matt Scott, Tiger #2325
Jasper Wiese, Tiger #2339
Mike Williams, Tiger #2235
Ben Woollett, Tiger #2413
Francois van Wyk, Tiger #2350
Dan Carter doesn’t hesitate when naming the best fly-half of all-time
Not including himself, legendary All Black Dan Carter has ran discussed some of the greatest players to pull on the number 10 shirt in recent times.
#3. Johnny Sexton (Ireland)
The main man behind Ireland’s international success in recent seasons and Leinster’s stranglehold on the European Champions Cup and Guinness PRO14 double in 2018.
Carter said: “I look at the way Johnny plays, he’s always creating or demanding from the people around him. You can see him leading, and he tells what he wants from the players around him.”
“I think there are a lot of similarities between me and Sexton to be honest. We love to control the game, so some of our specialities or parts of the game that are similar, is that game management. We see space.
DID YOU KNOW? Sexton was the winner of World Rugby Player of the Year in 2018, having previously been a nominee for the award in 2014
