South Africa
Pierre Spies joins South African revolution at Montpellier
ESPN Staff
June 19, 2015
Pierre Spies runs for the Bulls
Pierre Spies runs for the Bulls© (Photo Lee Warren/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Pierre Spies becomes the ninth South African to join Montpellier as he will join the Top 14 club in February.

The No.8, who has 53 caps for his country, will join up with coach Jake White, Springbok coach when they last tasted World Cup success in 2007.

Having been released by the Bulls, Spies will play in Japan before he moves to the south of France.

"The Bulls told me that they weren't going to keep me," Spies told Midi Olympique newspaper.

"That's when Jake White called me. Having come across him with the Springboks, I know he's world rugby's best leader. I said yes immediately."

Spies will join new recruits Jannie and Bismark du Plessis in a South African influenced pack who will look to drive Montpellier on to success having missed out on the Top 14 play-offs for the first time in five seasons this year.

Elsewhere, former France winger Emile Ntamack has joined Bordeaux-Begles as backs coach on a three-year deal.

Bordeaux beat Gloucester late in the Champions Cup play-off in May and were subsequently drawn in Pool 2 with Clermont Auvergne, Ospreys and Exeter Chiefs in the top European competition.

Ntamack, 44, joins a coaching set-up led by Raphael Ibanez, the former France and Wasps hooker.

© ESPN Staff

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