Johann van Graan says that Bath Rugby’s new signing Dan du Preez will be a perfect fit at The Rec.
South African back row Dan du Preez will be switching to The Rec this summer, joining Bath Rugby on a two-year deal | Photo © Richard Briggs
The Blue, Black & White announced on Monday 16th March that the back row will be joining the club, on a two-year deal, from Sale Sharks during the summer.
A statement from Bath said: “The club can announce the signing of back row Dan du Preez.
“Joining from Sale Sharks ahead of the 2026-27 season, du Preez brings with him a wealth of PREM Rugby experience as well as playing for South African outfit Sharks.
“The South African has represented his country six times, making his debut against France in the 2017 Autumn Internationals campaign.
“The 30-year-old, whose usual position is number 8, can also play in the second row or as flanker and will offer his utility across the pack.
“Du Preez comes from a rugby family. His father Robert Snr played scrum-half for the Springboks. His twin brother Jean-Luc plays in the Top 14 for Bordeaux and his older brother Robert Jnr currently plays alongside him at Sale Sharks.”
Van Graan, Bath’s head of rugby, said: “Our DNA is being tough to beat and Dan du Preez fits that mould perfectly.
“A ball carrier, a set-piece expert and an excellent defender…
“We’re looking forward to seeing what Dan will add to our group in the coming years.
“His Test and English PREM experience will be very valuable – and, most importantly, he’s a brilliant, family man.”
Of his impending move to Somerset, du Preez said: “I’m really excited to be joining Bath. It’s a great club with huge ambition and incredible support behind it, and I can’t wait to get started and contribute to what the squad is building.”
And of his career in the North West, he said: “I’ve loved my time at Sale. The past six-and-a-half years have been a privilege.
“I’ve made some incredible memories on and off the pitch, and made lifelong friends along the way in the players and coaches.
“This club has meant so much to me, and I’ve grown not just as a player but, more importantly, as a person.
“My family and I have made Manchester our home, our boys were born here and we’ve had the joy of watching them grow up here.
“I’ve been lucky enough to share this experience with my brothers and their families, making memories I’ll never forget.”
Alex Sanderson, Sale’s director of rugby, admitted his club are gutted that du Preez will be leaving the CorpAcq Stadium.
Sanderson said: “Dan has been a fantastic servant to the club and I’ve absolutely loved working with him.
“I know I speak for everyone at Sale Sharks when I say that we’re gutted he’s leaving, and we’re really going to miss him, on and off the pitch. I wish him all the very best for the future.”
A statement from Sale on 16th March about de Preez’s exit said: “Sale Sharks can confirm that number 8 Dan du Preez will leave the club at the end of the current season after almost seven years in Manchester.
“The 30-year-old fans’ favourite joined his twin brother Jean-Luc and older brother Rob at the CorpAcq Stadium when he signed from the HollywoodBets Sharks in July 2019.
“He became [Sale] Sharks #316 when made his debut in a PREM Rugby Cup win against Northampton in September 2019, and has since played 121 games for the club, scoring 24 tries.
“This season, injuries have limited him to just seven appearances and one Gallagher PREM start.
“On the international front, Dan made his debut for the Springboks in 2017 – the year after Jean-Luc – and has gone on to win six caps.
“Dan will join brother Rob in leaving [Sale] Sharks at the end of the season. Twin Jean-Luc departed at the end of last season to join Bordeaux.”
