There is plenty of chatter around South African players ahead of next season with the Bulls set to welcome two Springboks back to Loftus Versfeld.
Reports over the weekend suggested that Siya Kolisi’s rumoured move back to the Stormers was wide of the mark.
Stormers rumours
Meanwhile, Stormers and Springboks lock Salmaan Moerat has attracted the interest of ‘more than one’ Premiership club, while Joseph Dweba could also leave Cape Town.
Fresh reports state that Wandisile Simelane’s outing against Sale Sharks has caught the eye of wealthy clubs around the world.
According to Rugby Pass, Simelane’s contract expires at the end of the season and he could take up the opportunity to seal a lucrative move abroad with French, Japanese and English clubs interested.
Castres, Bristol Bears and NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu are reportedly interested in the former South African U20 star who has rediscovered his form with the Stormers after an underwhelming spell at the Bulls.
Exeter Chiefs could also come into the mix according to the report as Rob Baxter goes in search of a midfielder ahead of next season. The club have reportedly signed Wallabies forward Tom Hooper and could add Simelane to their ranks if they can ward off the competition.
Bulls rumours
While the Stormers could lose a centre, the Bulls look set to gain one in the form of Jan Serfontein, who has been linked with a return to Pretoria for some time now. The centre delayed his return to Loftus by a season as he attempts to get his French citizenship, which is likely to be sorted before the end of the current campaign.
Serfontein’s Montpellier teammate Nico Janse van Rensburg looks set to join him in signing for Jake White’s side. According to Rapport, the one-cap Springbok forward will rejoin the Bulls upon his return to South Africa having joined the French side when White was the head coach.
Janse van Rensburg has reportedly been granted an early release from his contract with Montpellier on personal grounds as he wishes to return to South Africa.
Staying with the Bulls and Rapport state that not only has Willie le Roux hit a stumbling block with Bath over a return to the Premiership but he has also indicated to White that he will not take up the additional year option on his contract beyond this season.
With his contract expiring, his agents are now exploring the options the veteran full-back has at his disposal. Meanwhile, the Bulls are also expected to sign Carlu Sadie from Bordeaux and Paul de Wet from the Stormers.
Siya Kolisi: Latest on Springboks captain’s Stormers return as Sharks throw spanner in the works
Lions rumours
The Lions have landed a massive re-signing according to Rapport with Springboks hopeful Henco van Wyk penning a two-year extension with the Johannesburg side.
The 23-year-old has been widely tipped to make the step up to the Green and Gold jersey and was clearly on Rassie Erasmus’ radar with the Bok head coach mentioning him on more than one occasion in 2024. However, injuries denied him a Test debut.
While the news of his re-signing will be met with a big cheer by Lions fans, the report has delivered some concerning updates.
That is that Springboks winger Edwill van der Merwe and star forward Francke Horn’s futures at the club are far less clear.
Van der Merwe made his Test debut against Wales at Twickenham last year scoring a memorable try in the victory over Warren Gatland’s men. The Lions will be eager to keep the winger on their books but with his current deal expiring this season, he has attracted interest from abroad.
The same is true for Horn with the report adding that neither player has made a decision over their future.
Two players have though, according to Rapport, as Marius Louw wants to join Premiership club Sale Sharks later this year while Sanele Nohamba has informed the Lions that he will not stay at Ellis Park and has signed a contract with Japanese club Shizuoka Blue Revs who are captained by Springbok forward Kwagga Smith.
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/rugby-transfers-bulls-lure-springboks-pair-home-but-lose-willie-le-roux-while-three-clubs-chase-stormers-star
