Du Preez Brothers Making Waves at Sale Sharks
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2019 saw Rob, Jean-Luc and Dan Du Preez swap one Sharks brand for another when Sale secured all three valuable signatures.
The trio have been a major hit with players and fans alike, adding to an already distinctly South African flavour at the club with the likes of Rohan Janse Van Rensburg, World Cup winning scrumhalf Faf De Klerk, Akker Van Der Merwe, Jono Ross and Coenie Oosthuizen also on the books.
Fathered by former Springbok scrumhalf Robert Du Preez senior, the brothers come with high rugby pedigree, and have proved to be quality signings with immense contributions on the field since joining the club.
The twins, Jean-Luc and Dan, scream physicality on the pitch and provide a prized mix of combative carries, monstrous defence and often surprisingly silky handling skills while older brother Rob continues to mature into an attacking, resourceful fly-half who is equally adept in the inside centre channel, if needed.
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The past weekend saw Sale trounce league giants Saracens in an uncompromising display of dominance to which the Du Preez were no small contributors, as the statistics show.
Dan was industrious as usual, gaining 62 metres for his team from 16 carries and managing to beat 5 defenders. Typically active on defence, he pulled off 11 tackles in a game in which his side enjoyed the majority of possession.
Jean-Luc made 13 tackles, gained 48 metres, carried the ball 7 times and beat two defenders.
Rob carried on 5 occasions, beating 5 defenders and executing 5 offloads and also making 5 tackles. His kicking was exemplary with 4 successful conversions from 4 attempts.
Sale march onto the Premiership Rugby Cup Final and sit third on the overall log as the Premiership resumes.