Sale Sharks have announced the signing of Lions centre Marius Louw on a two-year deal, with the South African joining the Premiership outfit from 2025/26.
The 29-year-old was delighted to agree terms with the English team and will make the move out of his home country for the first time at the end of the current season.
As mentioned Bloemfontein-born Louw has played all of his career in South Africa, starting at the Sharks in Durban before joining the Lions in Johannesburg in 2022.
Incredible feeling
Louw has revealed that he had no plans to leave the United Rugby Championship side until the call from Sale Sharks came and he is looking forward to travelling north.
“When Sale asked to speak to me, it was an incredible feeling for a club like that to want me,” he said after the Premiership outfit announced the end-otransfer.
“I believe things happen at the right time for you and that was the case with me, that it just happened at the right time, with the right club.
“The meeting with Alex was an amazing experience for me. We had such a good talk about the culture and environment at the club but in the city as well. We talked about how the city is and how the club is really trying to make a difference in the community.”
He added: “When the contract came through it was a feeling I can’t really explain. It’s such a prestigious club with a rich history and so many fantastic players and brilliant fans who care passionately.
“It’s clearly an amazing environment and I’m excited to do the best that I can.”
Sale Sharks director of rugby Alex Sanderson believes Louw does not get enough credit for his impact in an impressive Lions backline and is thrilled to have signed him.
“Marius is part of one the best backlines in South Africa and so much of that comes down to him, because he makes everyone around him look brilliant,” he explained.
Leader at Lions
“We’re getting an experienced centre whose collision dominance statistics are as good as anyone in the world. On top of that, he’s been a captain, he’s a leader and he’s played with most of our South African players and it feels like a perfect fit and the perfect move for him and for us.
“Our game suits him but he’ll also be fantastic for our young backline because he’s got plenty of experience.
“When we talk to a player, most of it is around the person they are, their values, whether it’ll be the right fit for both parties and we ticked every box with him. We’ve got a real player here and I can only see him being a massive success.”
👉 READ MORE: Springboks: Every SA Rugby Player of the Year Award winner as Cheslin Kolbe breaks 11-year drought
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/lions-lose-star-centre-primed-to-be-a-perfect-fit-to-premiership-outfit
