It’s official: the towering South African lock, JP du Preez, is packing his bags and leaving the Glasgow Warriors for the bright lights of Osaka, Japan. Following in the footsteps of rugby titan Eben Etzebeth, Du Preez is set to join the ranks of the NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes in League One rugby. At a sky-scraping 2.09 meters, this behemoth of a man is leaving a considerable void in Glasgow’s lineup.
Du Preez, a 30-year-old former Cheetahs, Sale, and Glasgow enforcer, has had a career that's as lofty as his physical stature. His rugby journey has spanned continents and clubs, with a notable stint at Sale Sharks in the English Premiership, where he rubbed shoulders with the South African trio Dan, Jean-Luc, and Robert du Preez. His latest move to Japan marks another chapter in his globe-trotting rugby saga, especially after a rough patch dealing with a serious knee injury that kept him off the field for the better part of two seasons.
“I’m excited for the new challenges in Japan. It’s a fresh start and a new opportunity to bring my experience to the table in a very competitive league,” said Du Preez, whose anticipation for this new phase in his career is palpable. The Red Hurricanes, once home to other Springbok stars like Etzebeth and Handré Pollard, are no strangers to South African prowess, making Du Preez a fitting addition to their roster.
“I’m excited for the new challenges in Japan. It’s a fresh start and a new opportunity to bring my experience to the table in a very competitive league,”
His rugby odyssey began when he was drafted into the Cheetahs setup from the Lions in 2018 by then-coach Franco Smith, who later took him along to Glasgow in 2022. This sequence of moves mirrors the international rugby dance - always on the move, always adapting. Now, as Du Preez sets his sights on Japan, the rugby world watches eagerly to see how this giant will influence the game in the Land of the Rising Sun.
While the Warriors might feel a bit shorter without their towering lock, the Red Hurricanes are surely looking forward to the impact Du Preez will have. With his knack for locking down the scrum and his aerial prowess in line-outs, Du Preez might just be the storm the Red Hurricanes need to shake up League One rugby. Here’s to new beginnings in Osaka for this South African giant!
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It’s official: the towering South African lock, JP du Preez, is packing his bags and leaving the Glasgow Warriors for the bright lights of Osaka, Japan. Following in the footsteps of rugby titan Eben Etzebeth, Du Preez is set to join the ranks of the NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes in League One rugby. At a sky-scraping 2.09 meters, this behemoth of a man is leaving a considerable void in Glasgow’s lineup.
Du Preez, a 30-year-old former Cheetahs, Sale, and Glasgow enforcer, has had a career that's as lofty as his physical stature. His rugby journey has spanned continents and clubs, with a notable stint at Sale Sharks in the English Premiership, where he rubbed shoulders with the South African trio Dan, Jean-Luc, and Robert du Preez. His latest move to Japan marks another chapter in his globe-trotting rugby saga, especially after a rough patch dealing with a serious knee injury that kept him off the field for the better part of two seasons.
“I’m excited for the new challenges in Japan. It’s a fresh start and a new opportunity to bring my experience to the table in a very competitive league,” said Du Preez, whose anticipation for this new phase in his career is palpable. The Red Hurricanes, once home to other Springbok stars like Etzebeth and Handré Pollard, are no strangers to South African prowess, making Du Preez a fitting addition to their roster.
“I’m excited for the new challenges in Japan. It’s a fresh start and a new opportunity to bring my experience to the table in a very competitive league,”
His rugby odyssey began when he was drafted into the Cheetahs setup from the Lions in 2018 by then-coach Franco Smith, who later took him along to Glasgow in 2022. This sequence of moves mirrors the international rugby dance - always on the move, always adapting. Now, as Du Preez sets his sights on Japan, the rugby world watches eagerly to see how this giant will influence the game in the Land of the Rising Sun.
While the Warriors might feel a bit shorter without their towering lock, the Red Hurricanes are surely looking forward to the impact Du Preez will have. With his knack for locking down the scrum and his aerial prowess in line-outs, Du Preez might just be the storm the Red Hurricanes need to shake up League One rugby. Here’s to new beginnings in Osaka for this South African giant!