Exeter sign a 'big, mobile front row forward' from South Africa

Gallagher Premiership strugglers Exeter have added to their front row options with the signing of unheralded South African prop Ethan Burger. Rob Baxter’s Chiefs are currently winless following four rounds of the 2024/25 league campaign, a situation they hope to rectify on Friday night when they travel to bottom club Newcastle who are also winless this season.

Exeter director of rugby Baxter had spoken in recent weeks about the possibility of bolstering his squad and the latest adjustment is his recruitment of Burger, a university level loosehead he hopes will initially feature in next month’s Premiership Rugby Cup.

A statement read: “Exeter Chiefs have added depth to their front row with the signing of prop Ethan Burger, the young prop who joins from university side Tuks Rugby in South Africa.

“Spotted by the Chiefs coaches for his potential, he will be a new addition to the scrum under the guidance of Rob Hunter and Ross McMillan. The 24-year-old, who was previously involved in the Blue Bulls U21 squad in 2020 has so far spent the majority of his rugby career with the University of Pretoria."

Baxter said: “People we have been working with knew we were looking for a big, mobile front row forward. Ethan became available as he was starting to finish his university studies and we see him as someone with probably the potential to play both loosehead and hooker, so he is here on a short term basis initially for the rest of the season for us to see his potential.

“Hopefully we will start to see that now and he can have some involvement perhaps in our friendly against Australian touring side Stockman Rugby and then going into the Premiership Rugby Cup. Then once we get up and running, it will be for him to take an opportunity. People will be quite excited with his power and speed, so we have just got to get him settled in now and ready to play.”

Burger added: “Getting the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing club is a dream come true. Exeter Chiefs are one of the best teams in England with an amazing track record. Being from South Africa, all players dream of playing overseas and to get the opportunity to play in England at Chiefs is an opportunity like no other.

“It really wasn’t a hard decision at all. The club’s history, the great coaches that are here and the amazing talent are all huge pulling factors that made it so much easier to join the Chiefs because I know it is an amazing environment for my own growth and development as a player.

“I’m extremely excited to play in the Premiership. It is one of the most prestigious competitions in the northern hemisphere and in the world. It’s an amazing opportunity to be able to play in the league and I look forward to making the most of it.

“The main goal that I have and want to achieve is to prove to my coaches, to my teammates and to myself that I am good enough to compete at this level. I want to show that I have what it takes to be a part of this team and that I am a player worth investing in because I don’t plan on leaving any time soon. I plan on being a Chief for a long time.”