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Argentina’s Super Rugby franchise gained two important new members today with props Santiago García Botta and Ramiro Herrera being unveiled as new contracted players by the UAR. Signing for periods of two and three years respectively, the pair more than make up for the loss of Bruno Postiglioni earlier in the week to the Guinness Pro 12.
In agreeing to terms with the UAR both Herrera and García Botta are to be available for Super Rugby and representative duty, both capped and uncapped, for Argentina at all times beginning in the new year. They join Francisco Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro in the squad giving the UAR three specialist tighthead props though García Botta brings with him utility value.
Herrera’s decision to take up a contract sees him leaving behind two highly productive seasons of Top 14 rugby. Upon arrival at Castres Herrera quickly found himself in the starting lineup and he, indeed, was in the run-on team that contested the 2014 final against Toulon. His central contract with the UAR will cover the three year period from 2016-2018.
Herrera is currently recovering from the French club season and, as such, will not be involved in upcoming internationals against the French Barbarians in Rosario and La Plata. García Botta, by way of comparison, is involved in representing Argentina in Romania. The 22 year old will play off the bench for the Argentina XV v Namibia on Friday.
García Botta takes up the offer after having also played in France where he was a medical joker for Stade Français in the soon to be completed season. Having been highly recommended by Head Coach Gonzalo Quesada García Botta returned to Argentina to feature in the World Rugby Pacific Challenge in Fiji.
The highly promising prop signed a two-year deal that will see him playing under a binding contract throughout the years of 2016-2017. In standing at 1.83m compared to Herrera’s 1.92m García Botta has the physique to adapt to play at loosehead prop, a position he is no stranger to. His one test try to date, against Chile in 2013, was a match in which he started on the left side of the front-row.
