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Erich de Jager is switching from the Free State to the Free Jacks. The South African prop has signed on with New England through the 2022 Major League Rugby season after five years in the Cheetahs organization.
At just 24 years old de Jager is already an experienced professional. He made his senior Currie Cup bow in August 2017 and the following March debuted in the Guinness Pro 14. Over the past two seasons he has focused at tighthead prop but showed his versatility by wearing the No1 shirt in the 2018 SuperSport Challenge campaign.
This past season saw him taking part in three competitions. de Jager started on loan with the Griffons in the Currie Cup First Division before being recalled to the senior Cheetahs side in the Premier Division. He then played five times, including two starts, in the Pro 14 before play was suspended.
de Jager is the second South African to sign in the off-season following former Sharks captain Tera Mtembu. He joins Japan international Kensuke Hatakayema, in the second year of his contract, and young American prospects Quentin Newcomer and Spencer Krueger as tighthead options for 2021.
