Springbok tight-head Vincent Koch rejects Gallagher PREM move

Veteran Springbok tighthead Vincent Koch has delivered a blow to Gallagher PREM sides Sale Sharks and Bath after penning a new deal to stay in Durban with the Sharks next season.

PREM Rugby Champions Bath had wanted Koch, a member of the Boks squad that has won back-to-back World Cup finals, to replace Thomas Du Toit who is heading in the opposite direction to Kings Park.

Koch, who is 36 next month, is highly thought of by Johann Van Graan after winning two Premiership titles in 2018 and 2019, and the European Champions Cup in 2017 and 2019, during a 109-appearance career with Saracens.

Meanwhile, Sale Sharks, who have signed Wales tight-head Tomas Francis from Provence and Leicester Tigers loosehead Nicky Smith, made him an offer to move to Greater Manchester this summer.

Koch, who weighs 118kg, won the last of his 63 Test caps against Italy and Georgia in the summer, and signed for Wasps ahead of the 2022-23 season, but was made redundant when they went into administration.

And instead of returning to the PREM, he has decided upon a last-minute change of heart and will spend next season with the Sharks, who have lost tighthead Mawande Mdanda to the Bulls.

The club have been busy in the transfer market with Siya Kolisi off to the Stormers, Grant Williams to Japan and Jean Smith to Benetton, while lock Stephan Lewies is returning from Harlequins.

Tight-head Nemo Roelofse has put pen to paper on a deal from Perpignan and fly-half Gianni Lombard is on his way from the Lions, while young props Dian Heunis, Simphiwe Ngobese and Rambo Kubheka have all signed new deals.

The Sharks will return to action against the Lions in Johannesburg this weekend, and Koch will be hoping to celebrate his new deal with a win told the Cape Times.

“They’ve got unbelievable players, and you can clearly see they’re scrumming as a pack together. We know our scrum gives the rest of the team so much energy if you dominate.

“This weekend is going to be a proper South African derby with scrums and set-pieces,” said Koch.