OWN CORRESPONDENT, London | Friday 5.30pm.
ENGLISH rugby union club Newport on Friday snapped up Western Province prop Robbie Kempson – their third South African international recruit in two days.
Unlike fellow World Cup discards Gary Teichmann and Franco Smith, who have both agreed two-year contracts with the club, Kempson arrives on a two-month loan deal through to mid-November.
The 25-year-old Kempson comes in as cover for Peter Rogers and Rod Snow, who are both on World Cup duty with Wales and Canada respectively.
Kempson goes straight on to the Newport replacements’ bench for Saturday’s home clash against Welsh-Scottish League leaders Pontypridd.
He made his international debut during the 33-0 victory over Ireland in Pretoria 15 months ago and was a member of the South African side that lost against England at Twickenham last December, a defeat which ended their world record-equalling run of 17 Tests unbeaten.
Former Springbok captain Teichmann and fly-half Smith are due to make their Newport debuts on Saturday, lining up alongside countryman Andy Marinos, the Wales-qualified ex-Western Stormers Super 12 centre.–AFP