Leicester Tigers have signed outside-back Kobus Van Wyk.
The 28-year-old is currently playing for the Hurricanes in New Zealand’s Super Rugby Aotearoa.
Born in Nababeep in the Northern Cape of South Africa, Van Wyk represented Western Province at Under-18, 19 and 21 levels before featuring in their run to the semi-finals of the 2013 Vodacom Cup.
He was a member of the South Africa Under-20s squad at the 2012 Junior Rugby World Cup and featured throughout their Cup-winning campaign in front of their home crowd.
In 2014, Van Wyk joined the Stormers squad ahead of the Super Rugby season and made more than 30 appearances there during the next two seasons. He also spent five months in France during 2016 as a medical joker for Bordeaux.
Van Wyk returned to South Africa ahead of the 2017 Super Rugby season to join the Sharks and made another 30 appearances over the next two seasons as well as representing the Durban-based club in the Currie Cup competition.
Earlier this year, he joined the Hurricanes in Wellington.
Speaking about the addition of Van Wyk, Leicester Tigers Director of Rugby Geordan Murphy said: “Kobus is a proven finisher with an impressive resume in the southern hemisphere, who we are excited to have join us at Leicester Tigers.
“He is a big, strong and hard-working player with the qualities we are looking for on the pitch and an impressive man who shares the values we have here at the club and are integral to what we are building in Leicester.
“He is a versatile player who adds depth to our outside-back ranks and will arrive in Leicester after finishing up with the Hurricanes, where he has been impressive throughout the Aotearoa competition.
“Kobus will add a point of difference out wide and brings with him valuable experience, which is important and exciting as we build this new look Tigers squad.”
Van Wyk added: “I am excited for the new challenge.”
“I haven’t played in Europe or the United Kingdom before so i am excited to meet the boys and get stuck in with them and FOR what is ahead for us in the future.
“I am excited to work hard and get into the games and play my part out wide, finishing when the opportunity comes.”
Van Wyk added that, after initial conversations with Murphy and head coach Steve Borthwick, he was sold on being a part of what was being built in Leicester.
“They spoke to me about what they are building and that they were keen to have me part of the team going into the future,” said Van Wyk.
“They want to get Leicester back up, competing again to win trophies and to have the club in contention, which I want to be a part of and contribute with the boys.”
Van Wyk will link up with his new Tigers team-mates at the conclusion of the Hurricanes Aotearoa campaign.
