All Black and Highlander Ethan de Groot has recommitted to the SBS Bank Southland Stags in 2022.

The 23-year-old 135 kg loosehead prop with his roots in Gore and Invercargill is currently in the midst of the Super Rugby Pacific with the Highlanders based in Dunedin.

With 17 games for Southland over the past four seasons, de Groot was looking set to run out on Rugby Park last NPC season as Southland’s newest home grown All Black, however a pandemic and the longest All Blacks International Tour in recent years put a stop that.

SBS Bank Southland Stags assistant coach James Wilson is thrilled to have a player of Ethan’s calibre commit to Southland after a blockbuster 2021 season for the young prop.

“We all at Rugby Southland are proud to have Ethan on board for the 2022 NPC season. Ethan’s rise in the last three years is testament to his professional attitude on and off the field. A genuine example of hard work and commitment pays off. We have no doubt Ethan’s influence and attitude will only make our environment here in Southland a better one”.

For Ethan, Southland is about more than the jersey and what it represents, its about giving back to those who moulded him into an international player worth of the All Black jersey.

“Playing for Southland means everything to me, not just the Stags, but playing for Southland through age grade with my mates and all the great coaches I’ve had. Without Southland Rugby, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

de Groot is looking forward to seeing how the Stags squad have worked over the preseason, building on the work of the past two seasons.

However, as seen last season, Ethan’s minutes in the Southland Jersey in 2022 are at the mercy of Ian Foster and the All Blacks selectors, whatever the result Ethan will do the Southland Jersey proud, whether it be Maroon or Black.

Article added: Monday 21 March 2022