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Another Namibia international will run out in Major League Rugby next season. Divan Rossouw has put pen to paper with the Seattle Seawolves. The 27-year-old outside back played in three of four World Cup games for the Welwitschias, including starts against Italy and New Zealand.
Though born and raised in Namibia, Rossouw played professionally in South Africa from 2015 until 2022. He was a regular starter with the Bulls in Super Rugby during the 2018 and 2019 seasons, before moving to the Lions in 2021. Earlier this year he had a brief spell with Russian side Krasny Yar.
Rossouw suited up alongside several MLR players in France, namely Adriaan Booysen (Dallas), Damian Stevens (NOLA, Cliven Loubser (Utah), Wian Conradie and Le Roux Malan (both New England). He joins Toni Pulu as a newcomer to Seattle’s outside back stable.
Departing is winger Cole Zarcone, who has announced his retirement at the age of 26. He made just two appearances this past season including one start. Zarcone was originally drafted by San Diego in 2020 and spent one season with the Legion before moving to Seattle.
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Also set to depart the Seawolves is hooker Alex Glover. The 25-year-old Saint Mary’s Gaels product is set to sign on with the Miami Sharks. Glover spent some time with the USA Hawks program this past year and made his MLR debut as a replacement against San Diego during the last week of the regular season.
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NOLA have been given a boost with the re-signing of JP du Plessis. The midfield star was entering the last year of his contract signed in the fall of 2020, but has now extended a further two seasons through 2026. du Plessis switched to outside center with the arrival of Jordan Jackson-Hope and had a storming campaign for the Gold. The 32-year-old is currently coaching the Gold’s development side, the NOLA Miners, in the American Rugby Premiership.
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Re-upping with the SaberCats is flying eightman Gideon van Wyk. At just 22 years old he has proven one of the most dynamic attacking forwards in MLR. Houston look to have a plethora of talent in the second and back row next season, with Johan Momsen, Justin Basson, and Ronan Murphy recent additions.
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James Vaifale is off to his third MLR club with the Legion acquiring the former USA u20 winger from the Jackals in exchange for salary cap considerations. He spent most of the first ten games of 2023 in the No11 shirt but then fell to a reserve role in the final weeks of the campaign. Vaifale started his pro career with the Utah Warriors and then had a brief off-season spell on NOLA’s books, but was traded to Dallas without making a regular season appearance for the Gold.
