Dragons targeting SA lock forward Slabbert
THE Dragons are interested in signing South African lock Deon Slabbert from Currie Cup outfit Pumas. Dai Flanagan has identified the pack as an area in need of strengthening ahead of next season, and needs to recruit a lock after Will Rowlands’ departure to French giants Racing 92.
There had been talk in South Africa that the Dragons were interested in Kobe Steelers lock JD Schickerling but he is far too expensive for the Welsh club, and the 28-year-old is expected to sign for either the Stormers or a French club.
But Slabbert is an affordable target, and while there are other players they are interested in, WalesOnline understands there is a good chance the Pumas lock will be playing his rugby at Rodney Parade next season.
The 23-year-old has been playing his rugby in the Currie Cup, and has not yet represented one of South Africa’s United Rugby Championship sides. But South Africa have an outrageous amount of depth in the tight five, and the Dragons have been scouring the Currie Cup in search of a rough diamond they can polish. At 6ft 6ins and 117kg, Slabbert is a strong ball carrier who also has a reputation as being an adept lineout forward.
If the Dragons are to get the signing over the line they will need permission from the Welsh Rugby Union, who recently blocked Cardiff from signing Slabbert’s Pumas teammate Thinus de Beer, who plays outside-half.
Flanagan has been busy strengthening his squad with centre Corey Baldwin and scrum-half Dane Blacker signing from the Scarlets while Dan Lydiate is also moving back to Newport from the Ospreys.
The Dragons are also in negotiations with Wales playmaker Rhys Patchell who has been released by the Scarlets, but whether they can meet his wage demands remains to be seen.
Flanagan has also sounded out experienced Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny for a coaching role at the club next season, but the 34-year-old hasn’t decided whether he will retire from playing yet.
Meanwhile, second-row is a real priority for the side, and Slabbert is a player of real interest to them.
■ Former South Africa hooker Lukas van
Biljon is said to be “broken and devastated” after his father was killed following a farm attack. Andre van Biljon, 70, died from gunshot wounds after being shot three times in the chest at midnight on Saturday. His son Lukas, 47, was also stabbed during the attack.
Six armed men had allegedly stormed the family farm at Oranjeville in Free State Province, allegedly also tying up Lukas’ children with cable ties during the incident.
Lukas’ father Andre had tried to reach a radio to alert his fellow farmers, but is reported to have been spotted and shot three times. Having been rushed to Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein, he sadly died on Tuesday.
A close farmer friend told the Daily Mail: “Lukas is broken and devastated and along with the van Biljon family had been with Andre at his bedside since he was operated on. But they were serious injuries and his body family gave out on him. They shot him from close range in cold blood. He was an old man and could not fight back. Lukas said he has been greatly comforted by the world of rugby coming together to support him and his family along with the local farming community.”
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