Loosehead Francois van Wyk will leave Bath Rugby at the end of this season.
Francois van Wyk will leave Bath Rugby at the end of the season in order to join United Rugby Championship club Connacht | Photo © Richard Briggs
The 34-year-old South African will join Ireland’s Connacht Rugby ahead of the 2026-27 campaign – and he says he is relishing the chance to play in another country.
Van Wyk arrived at The Rec in summer 2024 and has made 41 appearances for the Blue, Black & White.
He came to England in 2017 after four years in Super Rugby, where he played 21 times for Western Force.
Prior to arriving at Bath he had three years at Leicester Tigers and four at Northampton Saints.
A statement from the Blue, Black & White today, Wednesday 21st January, announcing his impending departure, said: “During his time at Bath, van Wyk has played a key role in the club’s historic treble-winning season, contributing to triumphs in the Gallagher Premiership, the EPCR Challenge Cup and the Premiership Rugby Cup.
“A well-loved member of the squad, van Wyk will see out the rest of the 2025-26 season in Blue, Black and White.”
Van Wyk said of his 2026 switch to the United Rugby Championship: “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.”
Stuart Lancaster, Connacht’s head coach, said: “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.”
Meanwhile, the Gallagher PREM’s Next Gen academy league Finals Day will be played at Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester, on Sunday 22nd February.
Bath currently lead the way in the under-18s’ competition, with an unbeaten record after six rounds.
Finals Day will be broadcast live on YouTube.
