Saracens turn to South Africa to fix tighthead issue with 128kg recruit

Saracens have signed former Junior Springboks tighthead prop Corné Weilbach from the Stormers ahead of next season.

The deal for the 24-year-old has come after the club announced earlier this month that former Wallabies tighthead Jermaine Ainsley will not be joining the club at the end of the season, having signed a deal in February.

With Italy international Marco Riccioni on his way to Perpignan ahead of next season, Saracens were looking light on the right-hand side of the scrum for next season. But Weilbach, who played in a South Africa U20 side alongside Springboks Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Canan Moodie and Jordan Hendrikse, will provide options there, with Saracens shopping in the right place for props.

Weilbach was included in the Stormers’ wider 55-man squad for the United Rugby Championship in August, but has found game time limited this season.

He made his senior debut for Western Province, now rebranded as the Stormers XXIII, in the Currie Cup in 2022, and made his Investec Champions Cup debut for the Stormers in 2024 against Harlequins.

“I’m incredibly excited to be joining Saracens,” Weilbach said. “It’s a club with a huge history and a culture of excellence, and I’m looking forward to learning, growing and giving everything I can for the team and supporters.”

Director of rugby Mark McCall added: “Corné is a young prop with real potential. We believe joining Saracens will provide a fantastic environment for him to continue his development and grow into a top-quality tighthead in the years ahead.”