South Africa international Lood de Jager to feature for Sale Sharks next season

Sale Sharks have secured the signing of South African international Lood de Jager from the upcoming season.

The 26-year-old made his professional rugby debut with Currie Cup side Leopards and featured for Super Rugby side Cheetahs and provincial team Free State Cheetahs between 2013 and 2016 before making a switch to Bulls in 2017.

“Firstly it is a great honour for me to join Sale Sharks, they are a club with great tradition and really high ambitions and they are building something really special," de Jager told the club's official website.

"It’s exciting to be a part of and Im looking forward to joining up with the guys in Manchester later in the year.”

The 26-year-old made his international debut for South Africa in 2014 and has gone on to play 38 Tests for the Springboks with his last appearance coming during the November series clash against Scotland last year.

“I am extremely pleased to secure the services Lood for the 2019/20 season. He is a world class line-out operator with lots of experience at the highest level and offers a huge physical presence around the pitch," said Sale Sharks director of rugby Steve Diamond.

"Lood’s signing is a statement of intent in our endeavour to become a force in the Gallagher Premiership and Europe over the next three years.”