The Austin Herd have secured contract extensions for two key flankers ahead of the 2020 Major League Rugby season. South African blindside Rikus Zwart and Egyptian-Canadian openside Moe Abdelmonem will continue with the Texan team for a second campaign.
Zwart, 23, played every game for Austin in 2019, starting 11 of 16. While signed initially as a lock, the 6’5″ (1.96m) giant spent most of his time on the flank. He was one of the team’s most effective ball carriers and used his power to score two memorable tries.
Arriving part-way through the season, Abdelmonem proved an immediate hit with four turnovers and a try on debut against the Raptors. Despite starting only seven games he led MLR in breakdown steals at season’s end. The 27-year-old will be looking to push his way into test contention this coming season.