Northampton Saints can today confirm that Shaun Adendorff and Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi have both signed for the Club.
Back row Adendorff, 28, makes the switch to Franklin’s Gardens from French side Aurillac, and will join up with his new teammates as soon as he is able to safely make the journey across the Channel.
The Durban-born No.8 enjoyed stints with the Vodacom Bulls in Super Rugby and Currie Cup side Vodacom Blue Bulls before heading to France to play for Aurillac two years ago.
Adendorff was nominated for the IRB Junior Player of the Year Award back in 2012 after starring for South Africa’s Under-20s side on their way to a maiden Junior World Championship title.
He also has represented South Africa’s sevens team – the Blitzboks – from 2014 to 2015, but will now pull on a Black, Green and Gold jersey in the Gallagher Premiership.
“I’m really excited about a new challenge in England and to test myself at the very highest level of Northern Hemisphere rugby,” Adendorff said.
“It is an honour for me to sign for Northampton Saints; the Club has great pedigree having enjoyed a lot of success in recent years and the team is playing really good rugby – so I hope to make a big impact and win some silverware at Franklin’s Gardens.”
Shaun Adendorff
Meanwhile loosehead prop Hobbs-Awoyemi rejoins Saints having spent the last four seasons at London Irish, and will report for training next week.
The 26-year-old previously came through Northampton’s Academy system, and showcased his talents at international level with England Under-20s in 2013 and 2014, winning back-to-back Junior World Championship titles.
Hobbs-Awoyemi said: “I can’t wait to get started again at the Club I supported as a boy and where it all began for me professionally. I still have a lot of close friends at Saints, and everything I’ve heard from them about the Club really excites me.
“The Club now is very different to the Club I left in 2016, but I’m confident I can slot back in easily and hit the ground running.
“I’m looking forward to playing for Chris Boyd and the rest of the coaches within such a tight-knit playing group, but also relishing the prospect of getting back out in front of my home crowd – rugby supporters in Northampton are the best around and I’m excited to have them behind me again.”
