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'It's time for a change': Wasps sign Springboks prop Vincent Koch


(Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
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Wasps have pulled off a transfer coup, securing the services of Vincent Koch, the coveted Springboks tighthead who has been playing his club rugby for English rivals Saracens since 2016 after he joined the Londoners from the Super Rugby Stormers. A 2019 World Cup winner, the prop has gone from strength to strength with his country and was an important figure in their recent international campaign, featuring in ten of their 13 matches in 2021. 

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Rather than continue on at Saracens, Koch will now look to keep his Test selection prospects ticking over by switching to Wasps for the 2022/23 season leading into the Springboks’ World Cup title defence in France.  

“The saying goes ‘a change is as good as a holiday’,” explained the 31-year-old Koch, whose loyalty to Saracens resulted in him playing in the Championship for them following their automatic relegation following the 2019/20 Premiership season.

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“Saracens have been amazing over the last couple of years and I have had great times there that I will always treasure. But I believe it’s time for a change and a new challenge at Wasps is what I need for the next chapter of my career.

“I am looking forward to joining Wasps ahead of the 2022/2023 season. I believe Wasps are going in an exciting direction under Lee Blackett and I can add to their vision and goals next season.”

Delighted to have signed the 120kg forward, Wasps boss Blackett added: “We have been looking for a world-class tighthead-prop and in Vincent, we have found our man. We are thrilled to be able to bring an experienced international forward like him on board for next season. He will really add to our scrum and our environment next season as he has been a proven winner at club and international levels for many years now.”

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Phantom 1 hour ago
Nations Championship: 'The data shows the north has finally caught up with the south'

Fact: the gap between the North and the South has narrowed considerably - that I get. However, determining that only selecting only Home grown players or playing in the home country is is the optimal strategy is a bit of a toss up and highly reliant on the economies of the home union. I do understand that England and to a lesser degree Ireland selects home based only. The top 14 is a massive threat to their domestic product. France would probably not be affected (the money is at home). Fiji, Argentina, Samoa, Italy and you could even argue Scotland have only benefitted from this. Their players either go overseas to learn at higher levels (Fiji, Samoa, Argentina) or players coming into their leagues to strengthen the home product and their National teams (Scotland, Italy, Japan).

South Africa used to limit its selection to the home based players, but the reality of a weak currency vs what players could earn oversees meant that you lost access to your best players at some stage of their careers, with very few exceptions. Kolbe left SA as he was considered too small for International Rugby (yes coaches/selectors view), but ironically in France he forced selectors to notice his endeavors and select him. He is only reaching 50 caps now despite being north of 30 - granted rotation and the odd injury also played a role, but for the most part it is having debuted or becoming a regular so late.



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