Daniel du Preez

Giant South African forward Dan du Preez joined his twin brother Jean-Luc at the AJ Bell when he signed a permanent deal with Sale Sharks in July, 2019.

The 25 year old joined from Durban-based Super Rugby side Cell C Sharks, where he had played alongside Jean-Luc and older brother – and now Sale teammate – Rob.

Jean-Luc and fly-half Rob had both spent time on loan at Sale ahead of signing permanent deals, but Dan - who has played four Tests for the Springboks – joined the club for the first time.

Speaking at the time, Dan said: “I've heard some really good things about the club from Rob and Jean-Luc and can't wait to link up with Sale and play some rugby in the Gallagher Premiership with my brothers.”

Dan, who is equally adept at playing in the second-row as he is at number 8, made his debut for the Springboks in 2017 – the year after Jean-Luc – and in doing so made history.

The twins’ dad Robert played seven tests for South Africa and when Dan took the field against France, it was the first time in South African rugby that two sons of a Springbok had played Test rugby.

And two sons became three the following year when fly-half Rob made his international debut as a replacement.

In June 2021 Dan was one of five Sale Sharks players to be named in the Springbok squad for the series against the British and Irish Lions.

Speaking after the announcement of the squad, South Africa’s Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus said: “The nice thing about the Sale set-up is there are a lot of South African guys who have played and been in the mix.

“Now Jean-Luc and his brother Dan, as well as Coenie are also in the mix.

“It hasn’t always been a lot, but these are guys we think that are in sync, guys we have access to, guys that play regularly with Faf [de Klerk].

“When guys are playing a game plan and you have to rely on a nine who in the Springboks, let’s say with Jean-Luc, Dan and Coenie, they are three new guys but they must jump together in the line-out and scrum together and then in general play they must mix with Faf.”