Wasps sign Lions skipper Burger Odendaal

Wasps have announced the signing of Emirates Lions captain Burger Odendaal ahead of next season.

The 28-year-old centre had previously worked with Wasps attack coach John Mitchell at the Bulls and will bring a lot of physicality into the midfield at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

Burger will arrive alongside his compatriot Vincent Koch, who will leave Saracens at the end of the season, and is tasked with filling the hole that will be left in the midfield following the departures of Malakai Fekitoa and Jimmy Gopperth.

The 98kg centre played over 100 games for the Bulls before joining the Lions in 2020 and leading them in the United Rugby Championship, where they currently sit in 14th. This move is a reversal of the current trend at Wasps, as a contingent have already signed for URC sides next season, with Fekitoa joining Munster, Vaea Fifita joining the Scarlets and Thomas Young joining Cardiff.

Odendaal said: “I’m really excited to sign with Wasps ahead of the 2022/23 season.

“It’s an exciting time to join the Club, and I can’t wait to get stuck in and hopefully make an impact next season.

“Coventry Building Society Arena looks like a special place, and I can’t wait to play in front of the Wasps faithful."

Wasps head coach Lee Blackett said: “We are delighted to be adding Burger to our squad for next season.

“John Mitchell knows him well and recommended him after their time together at the Bulls.

“We were looking for a centre with great leadership qualities, as well as an outstanding competitor on the field and Burger ticks all of the boxes.

“Burger will bring authority and a physical edge to our midfield next season.”

Wasps are currently sat in eighth place in the Gallagher Premiership and face Bristol Bears this Friday at Ashton Gate.