The New South Wales Waratahs said on Monday they have signed Emerging Springboks lock Hendrik Roodt on a two-year Super 14 deal.
Roodt, 21, who at two metres and 121 kilograms will add considerable bulk to the Waratahs’ forward pack, will join the squad for pre-season training in November, officials said.
”We’ve looked long and hard for another lock to strengthen our second row stocks and we believe we’ve found that with Hendrik Roodt,” head coach Chris Hickey said.
”Adding Hendrik into the mix will only serve to strengthen the tight five, particularly at the scrum and lineout.”
Australian Super 14 teams are permitted to contract a developing foreign player who has yet to represent his native country at Test, Sevens or A-team level and could qualify for the Wallabies after three years of consecutive residency, in line with international rugby regulations.
”As a developing player who has come through the traditional pathways of South African rugby, we’ve got high hopes that Hendrik may be able to follow in the footsteps of Dan Vickerman and Clyde Rathbone and put himself in contention for national selection once he’s qualified,” Hickey said.
Last week the Waratahs secured Waikato Chiefs outside back and former All Black Sosene Anesi as their ”marquee” foreign international. — AFP
