The Seattle Seawolves have announced the signing of Southern Kings hooker Stephan Coetzee for the 2019 Major League Rugby season. He arrives as a direct replacement for Ray Barkwill who spearheaded the Seattle scrum to the 2018 MLR title.

Coetzee, 26, is entering the prime of his career but already boasts considerable experience at the professional level. He appeared in 18 Guinness Pro 14 games last season, starting 8, and has Super Rugby experience with three South African franchises – the Stormers, Cheetahs, and Sharks.

He is the latest from South Africa to join the squad following scrumhalf JP Smith, who was part of the same Kings squad last season, new coach Anton Moolman, and returning players Riekert Hattingh and Mat Turner. The Seawolves will open their 2019 preseason schedule against the Vancouver Island Crimson Tide in Victoria, BC, on December 22.