The South African revolution sweeping Montpellier continues with news that experienced Springbok No 8 Pierre Spies will join the Top 14 club in February.
The 30-year-old Spies, capped 53 times by the Springboks, becomes the ninth player from South Africa to have joined the southern French team, coached by Jake White, who led the rainbow nation to World Cup success in 2007.
Released by Super 15 outfit the Bulls, Spies will first travel to play in Japan before joining Montpellier.
“The Bulls told me that they weren't going to keep me,” Spies told Midi Olympique newspaper.
“That's when Jake White called me. Having come across him with the Springboks, I know he's world rugby's best leader. I said yes immediately.”
White arrived at Montpellier in December, but the club missed out on the play-offs for the first time in five seasons.
The coach has since gone on a massive recruitment drive, most recently snapping up South African brothers Jannie and Bismark du Plessis, two stalwarts of the Springbok pack. – AFP