Dweba can reignite Springboks career at Exeter - Baxter

Joseph Dweba is one of nine new signings made by Exeter over the summer

Joseph Dewba can use his time at Exeter to force his way back into the South Africa squad says Chiefs boss Rob Baxter.

Dweba, who moved to Sandy Park from Stormers this summer, won the last of his six caps for the Springboks in the summer of 2023.

Baxter likens the hooker's situation in a similar light to Australian signings Dean Mumm and Nic White.

The pair both moved to Exeter from Super Rugby having dropped out of contention for the Wallabies, but impressed so much in Devon that they were recalled by their countries and went on to play at World Cups.

"Nic's still playing now, he left us four years ago," Baxter said.

"We signed him when he wasn't in any international recognition at all, played two seasons with us and has never stopped playing for Australia since.

"Dean Mumm was the same, he dropped out of international recognition, had an OK season with the Waratahs, came back, was inspirational for us to the degree that Australia wanted him back for a World Cup.

"I don't see I I don't see Joseph being any different in his career, I think there's a lot left in him.

"He thinks there's a lot left in him and he's training and playing like there's a lot left there.

"So I'd like to think you'll see a really revived Joseph Dweba this season. I'd like to think you'd see him as a revived player in a revived Exeter Chiefs team."

Dweba made his competitive debut in the Prem Rugby Cup loss at Gloucester on Friday having also featured in a friendly with Welsh side Ospreys.

Baxter feels the 29-year-old - who has also had a spell in the French Top 14 with Bordeaux - has already made a big impact with Exeter hoping to improve on a second-from-bottom finish in the Premiership last season.

"I think anyone who watched the Ospreys game and the Gloucester game would say our set piece does look a different animal at the moment, it genuinely does, and I think he's contributing massively to that - both in what he's doing when he's in it and also the focus that we're having around it," Baxter added.

"He's still got a little bit to do. The nice thing about him is how open he is to ask for what more do we want from him

"He's doing every training session, he's getting out of training field doing everything, he's coming to the coaches for feedback on sessions and games, so I'm personally really pleased with what he's doing."