Saints announce return of prop and signing of South African forward

Saints have announced the signings of Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi and Shaun Adendorff.
Shaun Adendorff is making the move to NorthamptonShaun Adendorff is making the move to Northampton
Shaun Adendorff is making the move to Northampton

Hobbs-Awoyemi returns to the club at which he started to make his name as he came through the Academy at Franklin's Gardens before leaving for London Irish in 2016.

Back row Adendorff makes the switch to Saints from French side Aurillac and will join up with his new team-mates as soon as he is able to safely make the journey across the Channel.

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The Durban-born No.8 enjoyed stints with the Vodacom Bulls in Super Rugby and Currie Cup side Vodacom Blue Bulls before heading to France to play for Aurillac two years ago.

Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi is on his way back to SaintsDanny Hobbs-Awoyemi is on his way back to Saints
Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi is on his way back to Saints

Adendorff was nominated for the IRB Junior Player of the Year award back in 2012 after starring for South Africa’s Under-20s side on their way to a maiden Junior World Championship title.

The 28-year-old also has represented South Africa’s sevens team – the Blitzboks – from 2014 to 2015, but will now pull on a black, green and gold jersey in the Gallagher Premiership.

And Adendorff said: “I’m really excited about a new challenge in England and to test myself at the very highest level of Northern Hemisphere rugby.

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“It is an honour for me to sign for Northampton Saints; the club has great pedigree having enjoyed a lot of success in recent years and the team is playing really good rugby - so I hope to make a big impact and win some silverware at Franklin’s Gardens.”

Loosehead prop Hobbs-Awoyemi will report for training at Saints next week.

The 26-year-old said: “I can’t wait to get started again at the club I supported as a boy and where it all began for me professionally.

"I still have a lot of close friends at Saints, and everything I’ve heard from them about the club really excites me.

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“The club now is very different to the club I left in 2016, but I’m confident I can slot back in easily and hit the ground running.

“I’m looking forward to playing for Chris Boyd and the rest of the coaches within such a tight-knit playing group, but also relishing the prospect of getting back out in front of my home crowd – rugby supporters in Northampton are the best around and I’m excited to have them behind me again.”

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