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Saints sign South African duo

Monday 06th October 2008

Two new faces: Mallinder praises Currie Cup

Northampton Saints have strengthened their forward options with the signing of South African duo Juandre Kruger and Regardt Dreyer.

Kruger, a 23-year-old tall forward, joins the Saints from the Blue Bulls and is regarded as one of the country's most promising prospects and has impressed many watchers with his versatility at lock and in the back-row this season.

He has regularly played alongside, and been preferred to, Springbok internationals Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha at the Bulls in 2008.

Meanwhile, Dreyer has been a familiar face in the Currie Cup for the past two years. A 25-year-old loosehead prop, the 6'3" man plays for Griquas.

Kruger and Dreyer will arrive at Franklin's Gardens at the end of their Currie Cup commitments with the former helping the Blue Bulls into the play-offs, while Dreyer's Griquas team exited the competition at the end of the regular season last weekend.

"The Currie Cup is an excellent proving ground for forwards," said Saints Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder.

"It is a tough competition in which Juandre and Regardt have shown themselves to be two promising young players. They will add to our strength in depth in two crucial positions, something we feel is necessary as we go through our Guinness Premiership season.

"I'm looking forward to welcoming Juandre and Regardt to Franklin's Gardens in the next few weeks."