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Rugby

16th Mar 2017

Munster have made an absolute gem of a signing for the rest of the season

This is massive, in more ways than one

Patrick McCarry

This lad is so good that he doesn’t even need a jersey…

Munster have signed Sharks and South Africa forward Jean Deysel for the rest of the season.

The 32-year-old Springbok international has signed a three-month deal to cover Munster’s second row but he also has considerable back row experience.

The news comes as Munster confirmed Dave Foley is heading in for wrist surgery and that Jean Kleyn’s first season at the club has been ended by a neck injury.

Meanwhile on a player injury front it has been confirmed that Dave Foley requires surgery for an ongoing wrist complaint with the Tipperary lock undergoing the procedure in the coming week.

Deysel has made seven appearances for South Africa and over 70 Super Rugby appearances will join the province later this month, subject to being granted a valid work permit. In keeping with EPCR tournament rules Deysel and Young Munster scrumhalf Abrie Griesel have been nominated as Munster’s additional players for the knock-out stages of the Champions Cup.

Munster director of rugby Rassie Erasmus said:

“On the lock situation, it’s always a challenge when we have two of our experienced players ruled out through injury, and we have a third, Mark Chisholm, only back training after a year out from the game due to concussion.

“We needed to bolster the squad in that area with the trio unavailable, especially as we enter the business end of both the Champions Cup and Guinness PRO12. Jean (Deysel) comes with the talent and experience to hit the ground running at this busy period. He will be a valuable addition to the squad.”

He certainly will be.