South Africa’s 25-year-old full-back Jaco van der Westhuyzen has signed for Martin Johnson’s English Premiership side, Leicester Tigers.
He replaces Tim Stimpson, who has left for French side Perpignan, and Irish international Geordan Murphy, who broke his leg in a World Cup warm-up match against Scotland.
”Jaco was one of the outstanding full-backs at the World Cup and is also an excellent fly-half,” said Leicester director of rugby Dean Richards.
”He will join us as soon as is practicably possible and will be registered to play in the Heineken [European] Cup, although it is unlikely he will be available until the second round of matches while he organises his affairs.
”He will be with us until the end of the season before he goes on to Japan — and with Geordan Murphy out injured and Tim Stimpson having left the club, he will be a valuable addition to the squad.”
Van der Westhuyzen has won nine caps for the Springboks, three of them during the World Cup.
The 25-year-old’s elusive running will provide Leicester with further firepower behind the scrum, but he also boasts an assured touch in defence and should prove superb cover for Murphy.
Van der Westhuyzen turned down a Super 12 contract with the Blue Bulls to play in England until the end of the season, when he will move to the Japanese club NEC.
Leicester agreed to allow Stimpson to leave early so he would qualify to play in the European Cup.
Their former All Black flanker, Josh Kronfeld, will return home after this Saturday’s Premiership meeting with the leaders Bath.
Leicester also announced their American back-row forward Dan Lyle has retired from the professional game and will be leaving Welford Road with immediate effect. — Sapa-AFP