A South African stalwart is set to call time on his stay at the Sale Sharks at the end of the current season to pursue a new opportunity abroad.
The English Premiership club confirmed that Rob du Preez, who has been a central figure in their backline since 2018, will move on when his contract expires next summer.
Equally comfortable at flyhalf or inside centre, the 32-year-old has become one of Sale’s most influential players, making more than 160 appearances and scoring 881 points since joining from the Sharks in Durban.
Du Preez has also been part of a unique family connection at the Manchester-based side, featuring regularly alongside his younger brothers Jean-Luc and Dan du Preez.
A fans’ favourite, Du Preez holds a Premiership record for 76 consecutive starts, and last season played 1,520 minutes, a figure bettered by only two players in the league.
“This has been a really difficult decision because of the genuine love I have for the club, the city and my teammates,” Du Preez said. “There will be plenty of time for talking at the end of the season – all my focus and commitment now is on making sure this is a season to remember for everyone associated with Sale Sharks.”
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Before moving to England, Du Preez represented Western Province and the Stormers, making 57 appearances and scoring 483 points over four seasons, before helping the Sharks lift the Currie Cup in 2018 under his father, Rob du Preez Snr.
He earned his Springbok debut the same year, featuring in a Test against Wales in Washington DC, and has since established himself as one of the most consistent South African exports in northern hemisphere rugby.
𝙇𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣, 𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙡𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙘𝙮
Thank you, RDP. No words will ever do justice to your commitment, dedication and performances you have put in and will continue to put in the Sharks Shirt.
A Sharks legend.
Read more here – https://t.co/mDv5qP2JCF pic.twitter.com/KV5m0MALr0
— Sale Sharks
(@SaleSharksRugby) October 7, 2025
Photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images
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