Jannes Kirsten joins Exeter Chiefs

The Exeter Chiefs have today confirmed that Jannes Kirsten has joined the club on a one-year deal from South African Super Rugby side, the Blue Bulls.

The 25-year-old has been brought in to help bolster options in the back five of the scrum – particularly with Jonny Hill, Tom Price and Will Witty all currently recovering from summer surgery.

BREAKING NEWS: We chat with @ExeterChiefs latest arrival Jannes Kirsten who arrived at the club this week from Investec @SuperRugby @BlueBullsRugby pic.twitter.com/CWms1pjXvz

— Exeter Chiefs (@ExeterChiefs) July 31, 2019

“I’m looking forward to the challenge,” said Kirsten. “I’ve been waiting a while for the visa, but now that has been sorted, it’s great to be here and to be part of what is a winning team.”

Having been with the Bulls since 2012, this will be Kirsten’s first taste of rugby at another club.

“The Premiership is a top-quality league and there are some great sides over here,” he added. “If you ask any South African player, they want to come here and have a taste of the Premiership. They want to see how they go because it’s a great challenge, but one which ultimately makes you improve as a player.”

Kirsten is Rob Baxter’s sixth signing of the summer joining Price, Witty, Stuart Hogg, Stan South and youngster Jordon Poole in moving to Sandy Park.