Sale Sharks sign Stormers forward Ernst van Rhyn

Sale Sharks have announced the signing of versatile South African forward Ernst van Rhyn on a three-year contract. 

The 25-year-old, who can play in the second-row or back-row, has signed a three-year deal and will join Alex Sanderson’s squad ahead of the 2023/24 Gallagher Premiership and Heineken Champions Cup season. 

Ernst, who stands at 6’3” and weighs more than 18 stone, plays for the Cape Town-based Stormers and Western Province. 

He made his 50^th appearance for the Stormers against Harlequins in the Heineken Champions Cup in April and featured against Exeter Chiefs in the last eight. 

Ernst was a former teammate of Sharks star Cobus Wiese at both domestic and international level, with the pair teaming up for South Africa’s U20s side at the 2016 World Cup in England. 

Sharks Director of Rugby Alex said: “We have a good track record of recruiting really good, young, aggressive, physical South African back five players and I’m confident we’ve got another one here in Ernst. 

“He’s a really good player, but more importantly, he’s a really good character. He’s captain material and he’s been a leader in every team he’s played in and that’s testament to the kind of person he is. 

“He lived with Cobus Wiese and I think they are forged from the same South African steel. They’re hard-working, tough and young enough to keep on improving. 

“He is joining us at a really good point in our growth as a squad, and I think we’re getting him at the same stage in his development.”