Cardiff sign stand-off Tinus de Beer

Cardiff has announced the signing of South African fly-half Tinus de Beer for the upcoming 2023-24 season.

The 27-year-old arrived at the Arms Park and will immediately join his new teammates in preparation for the upcoming campaign.

It’s been reported in Wales that the WRU were initially not keen on the signing but with Jarrod Evans heading to Harlequins and Rhys Priestland retiring, it appears the union have relented.

De Beer’s addition to the Welsh capital side comes after two successful years with the Pumas, where he played a key role in guiding them to back-to-back Currie Cup finals, securing one title and finishing as the top points scorer last season.

“I am extremely grateful to be here. It is a great club with great history and great culture. It is a club that strives on playing attractive rugby and a club that is ultimately looking to win games.

“You think of all the players who have been here, that tells its story. I have watched a lot of Cardiff games and everyone knows Cardiff Arms Park next to Principality Stadium.

“There are a lot of guys like Josh Navidi, who has just retired, Sam Warburton and even Jonah Lomu, that’s just three names from a big bunch of players so it is exciting to be here.

“Firstly I just want to get going with the boys and to buy into a system that works here at the moment. I am here to play rugby, I’m not here for a vacation or to prove anyone wrong or right, I am here to work hard with the boys.”

De Beer emerged from the Blue Bulls in Pretoria, also playing for the Griquas, and is highly regarded as one of the top South African fly-halves outside of the BKT United Rugby Championship, with an impressive all-round game.

“In the URC I would love to make the play-offs so (long-term), keeping that in mind and working hard towards that goal.”

“You could say I am a more kicking fly-half or an attacking fly-half. I think I have good balance between the two.

“In the past I have been more of a kicking fly-half but now I tend to be more attacking. Every team wants and needs a fly-half who can direct the game, game management and putting the kicks through the polls.”