'This is a huge coup': Du Preez twins put pen to paper for Sharks

NEWS: Sale Sharks have announced that twins Jean-Luc and Dan du Preez have signed new contracts committing their long-term futures to the club.

The powerful 27-year-olds, who signed for the club on permanent deals in 2019, have put pen to paper on new contracts taking them up to the end of the 2025/26 season.

The twins arrived in Manchester from the Durban-based Sharks, where they had played alongside older brother – and now Sale teammate – Rob.

Since then both players have become key parts of the Sharks side, with versatile Jean-Luc, who initially joined on loan, racking up 83 appearances for the club, and No.8 Dan featuring 73 times.

Jean-Luc said: “I am delighted that I will be staying with Sale and I’m really excited to see what we can produce as a group.

"My brothers and I come over in 2019 wanting to win something, and we have struggled over the last few seasons by Sale’s standards, however I feel there is a renewed energy in the club and I think this might just be the year where we surprise a lot of people."

Dan said: "I’m so excited to be here for the next four years and I can’t wait to see where we go as a team. I couldn’t be happier with my decision. My family and I have made this home."

Sharks Director of Rugby Alex said the new deals for two of his key players demonstrate the level of the club’s ambition.

He said: "Jean-Luc and Dan are two of the very best and most consistent performers in the Premiership and for them to both commit three of the best years of their careers to this club goes so far in shouting out what a special place this is.

"The lads had offers from Japan and from France but they want to be here and that demonstrates just how high our aspirations and ambitions are.

"Jean-Luc and Dan have had kids here, their families are happy here and they’ve really found a home. I know they’re from South Africa but they’re honorary Mancunians."

Sharks CEO Sid Sutton said: "This is a huge coup for the club. Jean-Luc and Dan were highly sought after and had plenty of offers from both the Premiership and abroad. They see what we’re building here and they want to stay and be a part of it.

"It’s a huge statement of intent for us. We want to create an environment where the very best players feel like they can grow and thrive and be successful.

"Jean-Luc and Dan are absolutely integral to what we want to achieve and we’re all thrilled that they’ve decided to stay."

Jean-Luc has won 13 international caps since making his Springbok debut as a replacement against Wales, in Cardiff, in 2016.

Dan, who has six caps, made his debut for the Springboks the following year and in doing so made history.

The twins’ dad Robert played seven Tests for South Africa and when Dan took the field against France, it was the first time in South African rugby that two sons of a Springbok had played Test rugby.

In 2021 both Jean-Luc and Dan were named in the Springbok squad for the series against the British and Irish Lions.