The Cell C Sharks on Wednesday announced the signing of former Springbok midfielder Rohan Janse van Rensburg on a three-year deal.
The 27-year old Janse van Rensburg has been playing for the Sale Sharks in recent years and has formed an integral part of a large South African contingent at the club.
Janse van Rensburg was a big part of Johan Ackermann’s side that contested three consecutive Super Rugby finals before moving abroad and is known for his physical, hard-running style.
It's official!!! Welcoming the explosive backline general, Rohan Janse van Rensburg to our Sharks family on a 3 year deal ??#OurSharksForever pic.twitter.com/zN6RdRu6VR
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) May 4, 2022
The move also underlines the ambitions of the Sharks, who have also made big-name signings in recent times such as Eben Etzebeth from Toulon and a bit further back both Springboks Bongi Mbonambi and Siya Kolisi from the DHL Stormers.
The Sharks have been searching for a physical replacement for Springbok Andre Esterhuizen, who left the side in 2020 for Harlequins and has been in awesome form for the English Premiership side.
They also have lost midfielder Marius Louw, who has signed for the Emirates Lions for the next season along with teammate and scrumhalf Sanele Nohamba and have space in the midfield for a big-name replacement.
The Sharks have also got Australian international Ben Tapuai on their books, but at 33 he isn’t seen as a long-term solution to their midfield problems.
Lukhanyo Am, the Springbok magician, recently went on a sabbatical for two months to Japan and has returned to the Sharks but is likely to be in high demand from overseas sides and the Sharks will have a fight on their hands to keep him long term.
Janse van Rensburg's club Sale Sharks in Manchester also confirmed he would leave the club at the end of the season after having joined them in 2017/18 season.
“Rohan scored three tries in eight appearances during his loan spell and impressed enough to make the deal permanent the following summer ahead of the 2018/19 campaign,” a club statement said.
“Since then, he has gone onto make 73 appearances for Sale Sharks – including 22 this season – scoring 23 tries. Known as a powerful player, Rohan made his first Springboks appearance in 2016 in a non-cap friendly with the Barbarians, in which he scored a last-gasp try to secure a 31-31 draw.
” Rohan was also included in the Springbok squad for their 2016 Outgoing series of Europe and he started the final game of the tour against Wales at inside centre. He has one international cap for South Africa. Everyone at Sale Sharks would like to thank Rohan for his huge contribution to the club over the past four years and we wish him all the very best for the future.”
???????? ?????????????????? ??
— Sale Sharks ?? (@SaleSharksRugby) May 4, 2022
Sale Sharks can today announce that @RohanJVR12 will leave the club at the end of the season to return to South Africa. ????
We would like to thank Rohan for his amazing contribution to Sale Sharks over the years. ??
Read more ??#ThankYouRohan