CAPE TOWN – Ever wondered where Heinrich Brüssow is playing his rugby at the moment? Or whether he is even playing at all?
Well, he is back in the big time…
It’s not quite the Springboks, but the English Premiership is not a bad place at all to rejuvenate your career, and that is exactly where the 31-year-old openside flank will look to make an impact, at Northampton Saints.
“It’s great to be here,” Brüssow said on the Saints website. “It’s been a few months now that I’ve been waiting to come, and I’m very excited to get to work on the training field and get involved with the squad.
“I really enjoyed my time in Japan, but I am at a stage in my career where I need a new challenge, and coming to Europe and playing in some of the best competitions in club rugby is something that is very special.
“The Saints is a fantastic club with big traditions, and I’m really excited to get to know all the English cultures and learn what the Aviva Premiership is all about.
“There is a lot of talent in the squad, and I can’t wait to get out and start playing with them.”
Brüssow has completed his time at the NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes in Japan, and may look to emulate Nizaam Carr, who became a popular figure with his impressive displays for Wasps over the last few months.
Carr played his last game in England on Sunday, and will return to the Stormers for Super Rugby.
For Brüssow, the move to the north could put him back in the spotlight, and it is not too far-fetched to think that new SA Rugby director Rassie Erasmus would take a good look at the former Cheetahs stalwart for the Boks if his form warrants it.
💬 "I'm excited to be here and can't wait to get started."
Watch our exclusive first interview with Heinz #SaintBrüssow😇 pic.twitter.com/YENaTwVOe1
— Northamptün Saints (@SaintsRugby) January 22, 2018
He has 23 Test caps to his name, and his traditional scavenger role at the breakdowns could bring a different element to the national set-up.
“We’re delighted that Heinz is now finally at Franklin’s Gardens and I can’t wait to see what he can do in the Black, Green and Gold,” said Saints technical coaching consultant Alan Gaffney.
“He is a player with heaps of experience who has shown his class year-in, year-out.
“He will be an invaluable asset for us as we look to move up the Aviva Premiership table in the second half of the season, and our younger players will look to learn a lot from him – especially from his play at the breakdown.”
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