Sale Sharks look set to lose both Jean-Luc and Dan du Preez to French clubs at the end of the season while Alex Sanderson is reportedly doing his shopping in South Africa.
The Du Preez twins could be split up in 2025 after playing all of their professional careers together with the Durban and Manchester-based Sharks.
Du Preez brothers off to France?
While Sanderson is keen to hold onto the Springboks forwards, it is reported that the offers on the table in France are just too good to ignore, particularly with the pair playing at international standard but are regularly overlooked by Rassie Erasmus and his coaching team.
The Bok coach has repeatedly mentioned the brothers as being unfortunate to miss out on the squad, with South Africa bursting at the seams with back-row talent.
They have featured for South Africa A in recent times, but Jean-Luc last played for the Boks in 2023, albeit in a pre-World Cup match, while Dan last pulled on the Green and Gold jersey in 2021.
The fact that they have not played Test rugby regularly is particularly appealing to the French clubs, according to a report by South African newspaper Rapport, which states that Jean-Luc drawing interest from Bordeaux while Dan is on Montpellier’s wishlist.
Jean-Luc has been targeted as a replacement for Japanese international Tevita Tatafu, who is set to return to Suntory Sungoliath, while Montpellier could see Sam Simmonds leave the club at the end of the season.
Sale Sharks boss addresses du Preez brothers’ futures as French clubs target overlooked Springboks
Bad news for the Lions
Meanwhile, Sanderson reportedly has his eye on Lions centre Marius Louw to strengthen his midfield next season. The inside centre has been in excellent form for the Lions in the United Rugby Championship since making the move from the Durban Sharks.
A tough ball-carrying midfielder, Louw reportedly ticks all the boxes for Sanderson and could well join the club at the end of the season with the Sale boss looking to strengthen his options following the departures of Manu Tuilagi and Sam James.
The news doesn’t get any better for the Lions with the report adding that rising star scrum-half Nico Steyn is in talks to join Edinburgh at the end of the season. With Sanele Nohamba set to remain in Johannesburg and Morne van der Berg dominating the starting jumper, he could be lacking game time going forward.
The 22-year-old impressed during the Currie Cup campaign with the Lions reaching the final of the tournament but played just three of their six URC games this campaign.
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/du-preez-twins-springboks-snubs-draws-interest-of-french-clubs-as-sale-sharks-target-lions-star
