By Paul Jones
Keelan Giles has been backed to deliver more match-winning moments for the Ospreys after the wing was one of three players to sign a new deal to remain at the region.
Giles, Max Nagy and Tom Botha have all agreed new contracts that will keep them at the Ospreys after this season.
The region have not specified the length of the contracts given.
Fleet-footed wing Giles has scored 32 tries in 85 games to date for his home region and has been on the fringes of the Wales squad during his career. He has scored five tries so far this season.
“Keelan is an important part of our team. We’ve seen him grow here and it’s clear he represents the values and ambition of the Ospreys,” said Ospreys head coach Toby Booth.
“Keeping Keelan is a huge boost for everyone connected with the club. He’s an exciting talent that can often light up a game and we know there’s even more to come from him.”
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The 27-year-old Giles was part of the Grand Slam Wales U20 side in 2016 and was called out to New Zealand for the 2016 senior Wales tour.
He sat on the Welsh replacements bench for the game against Japan in the autumn of 2016 but didn’t get on the field.
“Signing this deal was a no-brainer for me. The Ospreys have been a massive part of my career and I’m excited to continue my development here,” said Giles.
South African tight head Botha has already made 113 appearances for the Welsh region and is now on course to extend that number in the future. He joined from the Cheetahs in 2018.
“Tom has been an integral part of our set-up here at the Ospreys. His set piece has been exemplary which is obviously a defining factor of our identity,” added Booth.
“In the tight, you need someone of Tom’s calibre, and his destructive scrummaging ability has been vital for us. We are delighted that he sees his future with us.”
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Full-back Nagy, a product of Buckingham RUFC, came through the Ospreys pathway via Swansea University.
Booth said: “Max is a testament to our player development pathway and his athleticism and skill set make him an invaluable member of our team.
“He’s got a very bright future ahead of him, and we’re all excited to see how much further he can take his game.
“With Max committing his future to the club, we continue to strengthen our core of young talent, which is essential for the long-term success of the Ospreys.”
The Ospreys have also brought in three players on short-term loans from the Cheetahs to help them continue their fight for a play-off place in this season’s BKT United Rugby Championship.
They are currently in eighth place.
Centre Evardi Boshoff, back row man Jeandré Rudolph, and Cheetahs captain Victor Sekekete have all joined up, having helped the Cheetahs win the Currie Cup in 2023.
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