Newcastle Falcons confirm signing of Michael van Vuuren

Newcastle Falcons have announced the signing of former South Africa Under 20 international Michael van Vuuren ahead of the 2023/24 season.

English-qualified Van Vuuren boasts Premiership experience from his time playing for Wasps, Bath, Northampton Saints and Leicester Tigers, also spending a season in Paris with Stade Francais.

His spell at Wasps saw him scoring two tries against Newcastle Falcons last season, with the former South Africa Under-20s international who having also represented Free State Cheetahs and Eastern Province Kings in his homeland. The 31-year-old will be heading to the Falcons from Lions, who he joined in 2022.

“I’m incredibly excited about joining Newcastle," he told the club's official website.

“Having played up there a few times I know it’s a very difficult place to come to as an opposition player. In fact, the very first game I played in England back in 2015 was up at Newcastle, and I thought I was going to die of hyperthermia!

“All joking aside, though, I know it’s a great club up there and the fans get right behind the team, so I’m looking forward to experiencing that and getting stuck in.”