Sale statement: Signing of 'loves to bang hard' 134kg Le Roux Roets
Alex Sanderson has bolstered his Sale pack for next season with the signing of the 134kg South African lock Le Roux Roets on a two-year deal from the Sharks. The Gallagher Premiership club developed a habit under former director of rugby Steve Diamond for recruiting South Africans and this has continued under Sanderson, who has now unveiled his latest recruit.
A statement read: “Sale Sharks have signed South African lock Le Roux Roets from URC side the Sharks on a two-year deal. The towering second row, who stands at 6ft 8ins and weighs in at more than 134kg, will join the club ahead of the 2024/25 season.
“Born in Boksburg, South Africa, Le Roux has turned out in the provincial colours of the Golden Lions, Blue Bulls and Pumas, while he also boasts brief overseas stints with Racing 92 in France and the Waratahs in Australia.
“The imposing 29-year-old will now join countrymen including Ernst van Rhyn and the du Preez twins in a powerful Sharks engine room next season.”
Sanderson said: “From the conversations we have had and from what I have seen so far, Le Roux fits our mould perfectly. We have talked about what motivates him and what drives him, and he said he just wants to do the hard work and make others around him look better. It’s not about the Hollywood moments with him and I like that attitude.
“South Africans, culturally and through their mentality, have something in common with the hard-working, no-nonsense, straight-talking northern mentality. It matches up well and I have no doubt that he will be another one who will fit in well here.
“He loves to bang hard and he will add that bit more weight and power to our pack. We’re really excited to get him here to see what he can do.”
Le Roux added: “My wife and I are really excited about coming over to Manchester. For my career, it’s time for another chapter and time to experience something different and Sale is the perfect club for me.
“I like to pride myself on my defensive work and my set-piece but I enjoy the attacking side of the game too. I want to be a big presence in the tight five and try and get as much go-forward ball for the team as possible.
“Sale came to me a couple of years ago and I was really tempted by the offer but at the time I didn’t qualify for a work permit. Unfortunately, I did my ACL very soon after that. So when my agent called and said that Sale had come back again, it was a great feeling to know that such a big club obviously saw something in me.
“The Premiership is a really prestigious competition and the pace and physicality of the game will suit me. I can’t wait to give it a go and see what I can contribute.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Good summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
1 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
8 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
8 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
5 Go to comments