Du Preez always up for the fight, says Sanderson

RECORD-breaking Rob du Preez has been hailed as "a great player" by his Sale Sharks boss Alex Sanderson.

- JON NEWCOMBE

The once-capped Springbok, who can play 10, 12 or 13, arrived at Sale in the autumn of 2018, initially on a three-month loan, before winning a full-time contract.

Along with his twin brothers, Dan and JeanLuc, the 31-year-old has made a huge impact and is contracted now until the end of next season.

An indispensable member of the team who Sanderson says "is one of the first names on the team sheets", du Preez set a new Premiership record for consecutive starts over Christmas when he played in his 64th straight game against Bristol. He added another - his 100th all told in the league - to that tally in last week's defeat to Gloucester.

Sanderson said: "He's robust, dependable, and generally the first name on the team sheet, and that's saying something with the calibre of lads we have got. He doesn't care where he plays, as long as he plays, because of his skillset we have the ability to play him in numerous positions, 10, 12 or 13. And that is something else that has led to his number of consecutive performances.