Old Glory DC have announced the signing of Argentine flyhalf Joaquín Díaz Bonilla for the 2023 Major League Rugby season. The 33-year-old arrives from South Africa where he has most recently been playing for the Sharks in the Currie Cup and United Rugby Championship.
‘Tito’, as he is known, is a product of the famous Hindú club in Buenos Aires where he was a prolific points scorer in the URBA Top 14. He joined the Jaguares in 2017 and played four seasons of Super Rugby, with a brief loan stint with French giants Racing 92 in the fall of 2020. A one-year deal with Leicester Tigers followed before making his way to the Sharks in 2021.
Díaz Bonilla’s international record is also extensive. After representing the Pumitas at the 2009 World Junior Championship he made the jump to the World Sevens Series in 2011. Argentina XV honors were achieved in 2013 and Los Pumas at last came calling in 2016. His won 6 test caps, including a start against South Africa in the Rugby Championship, and narrowly missed out on selection for RWC 2019.
It’s the first new signing of the off-season for DC, in addition to the five players selected in last month’s Collegiate Draft. Díaz Bonilla is known for his silky playmaking skills and top class kicking ability. He steps into the No10 shirt occupied by Rohan Saifoloi in 2022, and Jason Robertson in the two seasons prior.