Bath Rugby has officially confirmed that Francois van Wyk, their seasoned South African loosehead prop, will leave the club at the conclusion of the 2025/26 season. The 34-year-old front-rower is set to join Connacht Rugby in Ireland for the 2026/27 campaign.
Van Wyk joined Bath in the summer of 2024 and quickly established himself as a key figure in Johann van Graan’s squad, making 41 appearances across all competitions. Bringing a rich playing history from stints at Northampton Saints, Leicester Tigers, and the Western Force in Super Rugby, van Wyk will now add the United Rugby Championship to his extensive résumé.
During his tenure at Bath, he played a pivotal role in the club’s historic treble-winning season, contributing significantly to their successes in the Gallagher Premiership, EPCR Challenge Cup, and Premiership Rugby Cup.
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His impending departure comes at a challenging time for Bath’s front-row depth. With Springbok Thomas du Toit also set to leave for the Sharks this summer, Beno Obano remains the only internationally capped prop firmly established in the Premiership ranks, alongside squad members Mikey Summerfield and Scott Kirk.
Expressing his enthusiasm about the move, van Wyk told the Connacht media team, “I’m excited to join Connacht next summer. The prospect of experiencing a new country and competing in a new league is something I’m eager to embrace at this stage in my career. From my conversations with the team, I’m confident I can contribute positively and help drive success in the West of Ireland.”
Connacht head coach Stuart Lancaster welcomed the signing, stating, “Francois is an outstanding scrummager who brings immense physicality and a wealth of high-level experience. His contributions to a successful Bath team speak volumes, and we look forward to him adding those valuable insights to our squad.”