Gloucester sign Springboks forward Franco Mostert

(Photo: Getty Images)
By Adam Ellis
Gloucester have confirmed the signing of Lions and Springboks lock Franco Mostert ahead of the 2018-19.
The formidable lineout operator will be reunited with his former coach Johan Ackermann at Kingsholm, as the bolstering of the second row department appears high on the agenda for the Cherry and Whites.
Mostert, 27, joins the ranks alongside Ed Slater, Tom Savage, Mariano Galarza and fellow new recruit Gerbrandt Grobler.
An area Gloucester director of rugby David Humphreys said he was looking to strengthen as they seek to be competitive in the Champions Cup next season.
“Franco has proved to be one of the stars of Super Rugby, and we are delighted that he will be playing in Cherry and White next season,” Humphreys told Gloucester's official website.
“We know the Gloucester fans love their physical, hard-working forwards, and Franco is exactly that. He has so many quality attributes, and this is a big sign of our intent as a squad to push to the next level.
“Obviously Franco is a player that Johan is very familiar with, and Franco will know what Johan expects from his players, and he is the type of character that will fit in well to our squad.
“He is a current international, and has been captaining the Lions throughout the Super Rugby season, so he displays leadership skills that will again benefit our squad.
“With the squad looking forward to the challenges of Champions Cup rugby this coming season, we need quality throughout our squad as at times it will be tested, and Franco adds to our second-row stocks, in an area of real strength and depth.”
The addition of Lions captain Mostert, Super Rugby's leader in lineout takes in 2018, continues Ackermann's trend of recruiting from his past glories. As Mostert, Jaco Kriel, Ruan Ackermann who all played their part in the Lions reaching the competitions final in 2017, now find themselves at Kingsholm.
Gloucester do not appear to be finished there with the Premiership club also heavily linked with Lions centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg.