Leicester confirm signing of back row Brink from the Lions

Leicester Tigers will welcome Cyle Brink to the club ahead of the 2020/21 season after agreeing to a move for the South African back row.

RugbyPass revealed earlier on Tuesday that Brink would be signing for the Welford Road club and Geordan Murphy has now confirmed a deal has been completed.  

The 26-year-old, who was selected as part of the Springboks squad in 2018, will move to Leicester from Johannesburg after four seasons with the Lions in Super Rugby and six as a member of the Golden Lions in South Africa’s Currie Cup.

Brink attended King Edward VII School in his home nation which boasts alumni including former Springboks Bryan Habana and Joe van Niekerk as well as current international Malcolm Marx.

The back row was also a member of the Springboks Under-20s squad that finished runners-up at the Junior World Championship in 2014.

Speaking about the signing of Brink, Tigers boss Geordan Murphy was upbeat about the acquisition of the versatile forward. “Cyle is a physical, athletic and exciting talent who can play across the back row,” he said.

“He has stood out for the Lions in the competitive environment of Super Rugby and Currie Cup over recent seasons and we look forward to welcoming him to Leicester ahead of next season.

“Cyle will add valuable depth to our back row stocks, which will only see the competition for places in the side upped.”

Brink added that Tigers have always been a club he has watched with a close interest while plying his trade in Super Rugby.

“Tigers is a club I have always been interested in and I knew if I ever went over to Europe, Leicester was always one of the clubs I would have wanted to play for,” he said.

“I’m keen to come over and keen for a change. I’m excited about the different style of rugby and what I can add at Leicester Tigers.”

A versatile back row, who has featured across the back row for the Lions throughout his career, Brink believes the European game is one he believes will suit him.

“I have been told that northern hemisphere rugby is more suited to the game that I play. It is a very direct, hard game, which will suit me and the way I play the game.”

Asked what Tigers supporters can expect from him, Brink said: “I like to be dominant in defence and contribute with big carries. I like to dominate the collisions.

“I don’t like going backwards and never want someone to get the better of me in a tackle. I aim to get the better of the opposition in every collision and will for Leicester Tigers too.”

Brink’s addition is the fourth confirmed new signing ahead of the 2020/21 season following the announcements of Nemani Nadolo, Shalva Mamukashvili and Zack Henry.

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