The Houston SaberCats have confirmed the signature of South African midfielder Tiaan Loots for the 2020 Major League Rugby season. Hailing from Cape Town, the 27-year-old signed for the Dragons of the Guinness Pro 14 in May 2018 and had one year remaining on his contract but has agreed an immediate release from the Newport-based side.
Loots arrived in North Wales in 2014 to play for RGC 1404 until joining the Dragons. He failed to make a regular season appearance with the club after tearing a pectoral muscle in a preseason game against Connacht. After recovering he returned to the pitch in February and spent the remainder of the season on loan to Cross Keys in the Welsh Premiership.
The 215lb (97kg) center is known for his direct running style. Loots bolsters the SaberCats backline that has lost enigmatic Fijian Josua Vici to Colomiers in France, Conor Mills to retirement, and are also set to say goodbye to Thretton Palamo, who is reportedly moving to Old Glory DC.