SCARLETS are delighted to announce that South African international tighthead Werner Kruger is the latest recruit to put pen to paper and agree a move to the West Wales region.
31-year-old Kruger will link up with the Scarlets ahead of the 2016- 17 season, leaving Super Rugby side Bulls, having signed a three year deal.
A tireless worker in the scrums, Kruger has been a rock in the Bulls pack winning 113 Super Rugby caps and making 134 appearances for the Blue Bulls, scoring 11 tries.
Kruger became the first Bulls player to earn 100 caps in both Vodacom Super Rugby and the Currie Cup in August 2015 having made his provincial debut in 2007. He was part of the Bulls team that won both the 2009 and 2010 Super 14 finals.
The Bloemfontein born tighthead represented South Africa Under 21s on six occasions in 2005- 06 before going on to represent the Emerging Springboks (2009) and South Africa (2010 tour) winning four senior international caps in 2011-12.
Scarlets Head Coach Wayne Pivac said: “We’re pleased to announce that Werner will join us ahead of the forthcoming 2016-17 season. He will further strengthen us at the set piece and will bring vast experience having played both sides of the scrum.
“To have a player of Werner’s experience available for the whole season is something we haven’t had for some time. His presence here at Parc y Scarlets will be a huge plus for the young tightheads developing through the region.”
Scarlets General Manager of Rugby Jon Daniels added; “Following on from the arrival of a quality lock in David Bulbring last week we are delighted to announce that international tighthead Werner Kruger will join the region ahead of the new season.
“Werner is a strong addition to the squad bringing a vast amount of experience from Super Rugby and the international stage. Having been informed that Rhodri Jones had made a decision to leave the Scarlets at the end of the season it was imperative that we recruited quality in that position to support the other tightheads in the squad.”
Commenting on the move Werner Kruger added; “Both me and my family are really looking forward to this next chapter at Parc y Scarlets. I believe the time ahead will be a time for growth and learning.
“We are especially looking forward to experiencing all that the Welsh have to offer, making a difference and playing great rugby.”
A strong pool of existing Scarlets have also committed their futures to the region including captain Ken Owens, Jake Ball, John Barclay, Aled Davies, Gareth Davies, James Davies, Rob Evans, Samson Lee, Aaron Shingler, Liam Williams and Scott Williams.
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