Van Dyk joins Worcester Warriors on loan

By Mark Stevens
18/3/21

Exeter Chiefs have today agreed to allow prop Maks van Dyk join Gallagher Premiership rivals Worcester Warriors on a short-term loan deal.

With three of their four tightheads – Nick Schonert (neck), Conor Carey (bicep) and Richard Palframan (knee) – currently sidelined, Van Dyk has been brought in to provide cover for Joe Morris for Saturday’s match against Bath Rugby at The Rec.

Van Dyk, 29, played for Sharks, Cheetahs and Griquas in South Africa and was a member of South Africa Under-20s Junior World Cup-winning squad of 2012.

After a spell on loan at Leinster in 2014, van Dyk returned to Europe in 2016 and spent four seasons with Toulouse in France’s Top 14 competition.

He switched to Harlequins when the interrupted 2019/20 season resumed last August and came off the bench in the defeat by Warriors at Sixways later that month.

Van Dyk joined Exeter ahead of this season but has yet to play for the Premiership and European champions.

“Maks is an experienced tighthead, who started his professional career with the Cheetahs in South Africa and he also played in the Top14 and in the Premiership before joining Exeter,” said Warriors Director of Rugby Alan Solomons. “He has slotted in well since he arrived at Sixways on Wednesday and he knows a number of our players already.

“We thank Exeter and Rob Baxter for helping us out with Maks’ loan at a time when we are missing our three senior tightheads.”