Chris Cloete to follow Johann van Graan to Bath from Munster

Powerful South African openside flanker Chris Cloete will follow Johann van Graan in swapping Munster for Bath this summer.

The South African-born flanker had been a powerful presence at Munster for the past five seasons and is widely known for his incredible turnover skills.

Cloete told the club website: “To play in the Premiership has always been a clear ambition, and I look forward to making a significant contribution as Bath move towards the top of the league.

“It is a fantastic club with great history, and the supporters deserve nothing less than a winning team.”

Loves a turnover more than Greggs.

— Neil Fissler (@neilfissler) March 30, 2022

Bath Chief Executive Tarquin McDonald said: “Chris will bring a new dimension to an impressive group of back row forwards, as we maintain our primary recruitment focus of adding power to the pack for next season. Negotiations with second row forwards are continuing.”

Cloete, 31, played for Southern Kings, Western Province and the Pumas in South Africa before moving to Ireland, where he won the Pro 14 Turnover King award in 2020/21.