MUNSTER HAVE announced a significant coup in what is effectively the re-signing of Cheetahs prop Wian du Preez on a two-year contract. The South African joined the province on a two-month deal last November as cover for the injured Marcus Horan.
His final appearance for the Irish province came in the Heineken Cup pool game against the Northampton Saints at Thomond Park. Highly regarded on and off the pitch he will be a significant asset to Tony McGahan’s squad.
The 27-year-old, who won one cap for the Springboks, is believed to have become a little disillusioned after being consistently overlooked by the South African selectors. The player’s agent, Stephan Weyers, told South African newspaper Volksblad: “They (Munster) were really impressed by his scrummaging and commitment, and have made a good offer.
“We told (Cheetahs coach) Naka (Drotske) early on that we are considering another offer and were open with him from the outset. Wian would love to end his career at the Cheetahs.”
Du Preez’s departure from the Bloemfontein franchise will be offset slightly by the return of Leinster’s CJ van der Linde, whose time with the Irish province finishes after Saturday’s Magners League final against the Ospreys at the RDS. Van der Linde began his professional career with the Cheetahs.
The 29-year-old, who was part of the 2007 World Cup-winning team, is determined to again make the national team for the defence of the title in New Zealand next year. A veteran of 58 Tests, he returns following a largely injury disrupted two-year spell with Leinster.
He will be hoping to sign off at the RDS by helping Leinster to secure the Magners crown in front of their own supporters.
Mike Catt has signed a new three-year contract with London Irish that will see him remain the Exiles’ attack coach until 2013.
The 38-year-old former England back ended his playing career earlier this month in order to concentrate on his tracksuit role at the Madejski Stadium. “One of my main reasons for retiring from playing was a desire to focus full-time on coaching,” said Catt.
Catt is the latest coach to agree new deals at Irish, following in the footsteps of Booth and defensive mastermind Dave Ellis.
