Magners League Champions Munster have added to their front row options with the signing of Springbok squad member Wian du Preez.
The 27-year-old prop will join the Irish province on a short-term deal following the conclusion of South Africa’s autumn tour of Europe.
Du Preez was recently called up to the Bok squad following injury to Guthro Steenkamp and could feature against France, Italy, Ireland and Saracens later this month.
The highly-regarded loose-head was a tryscorer for the Cheetahs in their narrow defeat to the Lions in Bloemfontein before also starting for the Emerging Springboks in the 13-13 draw in the final mid-week game of the summer tour.
Munster have been left short of front-row options after Marcus Horan, Darragh Hurley, Tony Buckly and Dave Ryan were all sidelined with injury, while double Lions tourist John Hayes is currently suspended.
Du Preez will become team-mates with Lions opponents Keith Earls, Hayes, Donncha O’Callaghan, Paul O’Connell, Ronan O’Gara and David Wallace when he moves to the former European Cup winners on a three-year contract from early December.
The move will be sanctioned once du Preez has received clearance from the South African Rugby Union, gained a valid work permit and passed a medical.
Du Preez’s first game for Munster is likely to be the Magners League clash with the Ospreys on December 5.
