Leicester Tigers have emerged as serious rivals to Sale Sharks in the race to land the South African Du Preez brothers, Rob and Jean-Luc, after they snapped up a third brother in Dan.
The du Preez boys have caught the eye during a three-month loan spell at the AJ Bell Stadium from The Sharks during the Super Rugby closed season.
The trio are the sons of former Springbok scrum– half Robert who has been the head coach at the Kings Park Stadium for the last three seasons.
Flanker Jean-Luc, 23, who is the twin of Dan, has won 13 Test caps having come through the ranks at the Sharks.
Rob, 25, can operate at fly-half, centre and full- back and has spent a season at the Sharks after starting his career with the Stormers.
They helped their father lift the Currie Cup earlier this year by beating Western Province before heading to Manchester in the middle of November.
Rob and Jean-Luc are due to return to Durban ahead of next season’s Super Rugby tournament but could be heading back to the UK after the World Cup.
Sale boss Steve Diamond has offered the pair long term deals but Blindside understands that the Tigers are also interested in them.
They are confident hey can do a deal especially because Dan – a lock, flanker and No.8 – is heading to Welford Road as a replacement for Bath- bound Mike Williams.
All three brothers are highly-rated in South Africa and it would be a coup for the Tigers to continue their rebuilding process by landing all three.
NEIL FISSLER
