Bok prop Ruan Dreyer to jump ship to South African URC rivals

Ruan Dreyer is on his way from the Lions after speculation about his long-term future with the Johannesburg club continued to gather momentum over the last couple of weeks.

RugbyPass understands from well-placed sources in South Africa that the former Springbok tighthead, who is under contract to the Ellis Park-based side until December, is indeed on his way to the Sharks.

Dreyer, 33, has spent the last four years in his second spell with the Lions, having rejoined in July 2020 following an injury-ravaged two seasons in the Premiership with Gloucester saw him play just seven times.

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He followed his former Lions boss Johan Ackermann to Kingsholm in May 2018 alongside his Ellis Park team-mate lock Franco Mostert after helping reach three successive Super Rugby Finals.

When he returned, Dreyer added much-needed experience to a youthful Lions, which prompted Ivan van Rooyen to liken him to a piece of well-worn furniture coming back into favour.

“It almost feels as if we grew up with Ruan, so to speak. I was privileged enough to have worked extensively with him (during his first stint) as the trainer for the team.

“He’s like one of those favourite family chairs that’s back in the house after being a storage for a bit,” said Lions head coach van Rooyen.

He made 13 appearances for the Lions in the United Rugby Championship and Challenge Cup last season to take his tally to 123 over his two spells with the club.

Dryer has been capped five times by his country, the last of which came off the replacement bench in a defeat to Wales in December 2017. He is now set to spend the rest of his playing days with the Sharks.

We believe that Dreyer, who hails from the famous academic city Potchefstroom, which is southwest of Johannesburg, has put pen to paper on a two-year deal and is in advanced talks about securing an early release from his current deal.