Chicago Hounds land South African MLR veteran Tiaan Loots

Major League Rugby veteran Tiaan Loots is the latest addition to the Chicago Hounds roster for the 2026 season, with the South African centre bringing more than 50 games of experience to the club based in the Windy City.

Loots, who now qualifies as a domestic player in MLR, initially played for the Houston SaberCats before making the move to the San Diego Legion – who had since merged with Rugby Football Club Los Angeles to form the California Legion.

The midfielder debuted in MLR for Houston on February 9, 2020, in a 21-12 win over the Glendale-based American Raptors. After making four starts in as many appearances that season, Loots moved to the Legion ahead of the 2021 campaign.

Loots partnered former Australia Sevens flyer Cam Clarke in the midfield on debut for the Legion, starting at inside centre in all eight appearances that season. The following season, Loots was a regular in the Legion’s matchday 23, which often featured All Blacks great Ma’a Nonu as well.

MLR celebrated Loots’ 50-game milestone 33 weeks ago at the time of writing, reaching that tally last season. Loots started in the centres in four appearances for the Legion in 2025, including an 80-minute shift away to Old Glory DC in round three.

Loots wore San Diego’s jersey 48 times during a distinguished stint with the club. The centre was a Second-Team All-MLR selection in 2024, completing 436 of 522 tackles and running for 3,450 metres that season.

Canadian forward Matt Oworu was another recent signing for Chicago, who have unveiled a series of significant contract updates. Oworu represented the Hounds last season but has agreed to a one-year contract extension.

The backrower has represented Canada in both sevens and 15s, playing at Test level for the first time during the 2022 summer Test series. Oworu debuted against Belgium, and recently featured in matches against Romania, Georgia and Portugal.

Oworu’s first season in MLR was one to remember, making 14 appearances throughout a promising campaign for the franchise. MLR veteran Luke White and Second-Team All-MLR wing Noah Brown have also agreed to fresh deals with Chicago.