New Orleans Gold Signs JP Eloff

The New Orleans Gold have signed US Eagles international JP Eloff for the 2018 Major League Rugby season. The 26-year-old will join the side from the Chicago Lions following the USA’s two-match tour to Europe next month.

A utility back for the USA who can cover the midfield as well as fullback, it’s at flyhalf where Eloff plays the vast majority of his domestic rugby. He enjoyed an impressive start with the Ohio Aviators during the 2016 PRO Rugby season before a broken leg ended his campaign prematurely.

Originally hailing from Pretoria, South Africa, Eloff followed in the footsteps of his older brother Philip to win Eagles honors. He made his test debut against Canada in the 2016 Americas Rugby Championship and has since won eight caps, five as a starter.

Eloff is the third international to join the Gold, following Canadian front row pair Hubert Buydens and Eric Howard. He will find familiar faces in Aviators teammates Sebastián Kalm and Matt Hughston.