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Cape Town - Sharks coach Robert du Preez has welcomed the addition of French fullback Clement Poitrenaud to their Super Rugby squad for 2017.
The Durban franchise announced on Monday that the 34-year-old has joined them on a one-year deal.
His arrival continues a long tradition of successful French players joining the Sharks and his experience - having earned 337 caps for his club Toulouse and 47 for France - will prove vital.
“Clement Poitrenaud brings with him a wealth of experience at both international and club level,” Du Preez said on the Sharks’ Facebook page.
“He is a good acquisition for us and he will provide great mentorship and be a calming influence for the highly talented but young fullbacks we have in our team.”
Poitrenaud follows in the footsteps of countrymen Thierry Lacroix, Olivier Roumat and Frederic Michalak who enjoyed successful stints at the Sharks in the past.
Poitrenaud says he is proud of getting the opportunity to wear the Sharks jersey: “It is a young team and maybe they need an experienced player like me to share some things. I am very happy to be here and play Super Rugby with the Sharks. It’s like a dream for a player like me because I’ve spent 16 years in France and I’m very excited by this new experience.”
Sharks Super Rugby training squad:
Forwards: Beast Mtawarira, Chiliboy Ralepele, Coenie Oosthuizen, Dan du Preez, Enoch Mnyaka, Etienne Oosthuizen, Franco Marais, Francois Kleinhans, Giant Mtyanda, Hyron Andrews, Jacques Vermeulen, Jean Deysel, Jean Droste, John-Hubert Meyer, Jean-Luc du Preez, Juan Schoeman, Keegan Daniel, Khaya Majola, Lourens Adriaanse, Mzamo Majola, Philip van der Walt, Ruan Botha, Stephan Coetzee, Stephan Lewies, Tera Mtembu, Thomas du Toit
Backs: Andre Esterhuizen, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Cobus Reinach, Curwin Bosch, Clemont Poitrenaud, Garth April, Ilunga Mukendi, Inn Radebe, Jeremy Ward, Johan Deysel, Kobus van Wyk, Lukhanyo Am, Lwazi Mvovo, Marius Louw, Michael Claasens, Odwa Ndungane, Pat Lambie, Rowan Gouw, Rhyno Smit, S’bura Sithole, Sibusiso Nkosi, Tristan Blewett
