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Johann van Graan: 'Tough to beat' Dan du Preez ticks so many boxes
By Jon Newcombe
Six-times capped Springbok Dan du Preez, 30, has signed for Bath Rugby ahead of the 2026/27 season, on a two-year deal.
RugbyPass reported Bath’s interest in the Sale Sharks’ 113kg back-rower two months ago and the club confirmed they’d landed his services this evening.
By stressing his ability to play across the back row and even lock, not just at No.8, in their press release, it doesn’t appear that Bath view him as a like-for-like replacement for Saracens-bound Alfie Barbeary.
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“Our DNA is being tough to beat and Dan du Preez fits that mould perfectly,” Bath boss Johann van Graan said of his fellow South African.
“A ball carrier, a set piece expert and an excellent defender, we are looking forward to seeing what Dan will add to our group in the coming years.
“His test and English PREM experience will be very valuable and, most importantly, he is a brilliant, family man.”
Du Preez, who won the last of his six Springbok caps in 2021, has spent the past seven years of his career with Sale, joining from the Sharks in South Africa alongside his brother, Jean-Luc, in 2019.
He will follow in the footsteps of Jean-Luc, who left the club at the end of last season to join Bordeaux-Begles, and alongside his other brother, Rob, who will also leave Sale at the end of the season to join Bayonne.
“I’m really excited to be joining Bath. It’s a great club with huge ambition and incredible support behind it, and I can’t wait to get started and contribute to what the squad is building,” the summer signing said.
