Our latest rugby transfers and rumours update centres around three Springboks players, namely Willie le Roux, Joseph Dweba and Salmaan Moerat.
Dweba departs for England
Springboks hooker Dweba looks set to leave the Stormers at the end of the season despite rejecting offers from Premiership clubs in an attempt to remain in Cape Town.
Earlier this week, it was announced that the 29-year-old was invited to the Springboks alignment camp despite not playing a single Test in 2024. However, despite his improved form, he is still not a player of interest (PONI). This means that SA Rugby won’t contribute towards his salary beyond this season.
According to Rapport, Dweba did not receive a ‘significant offer’ from the Stormers because of this and the hooker has now sealed a move to Exeter Chiefs after reaching an ‘impasse’ with the Cape-based side after lengthy negotiations.
The hooker wanted to remain in Cape Town and had turned down an offer from Sale Sharks which he rejected in an attempt to sign a contract extension.
The Bok’s arrival in Devon will be a huge boost to Rob Baxter’s playing stocks with Dan Frost signing with Premiership rivals Bath ahead of next season. Exeter could also lose stalwarts Jack Innard and Jack Yeandle at the end of the current campaign with both players in the final six months of their respective contracts.
Dweba had also been linked with moves to France and Japan and could now be joined by Wallabies hooker Billy Pollard at Sandy Park with reports linking the Australian with a move north.
The Bok front-rower won’t be joining Jacques Vermeulen at Exeter with the back-rower set to leave the Chiefs at the end of the season.
Jacques Vermeulen to leave Exeter Chiefs and possibly fill Pieter-Steph du Toit’s void in Japan
Willie le Roux scares off suitors
According to Rugby Pass, Le Roux will remain at the Bulls next season after scaring off Premiership club Bath with his salary demands.
The Springboks veteran reportedly demanded a £450,000 a season payment package from Johann van Graan’s side which swiftly ended negotiations.
The report adds that the 35-year-old hoped that Japanese suitors would be keen on his services but an offer never came and he has now re-opened talks with the Bulls to activate the option of a third season in Pretoria.
It’s understood that an agreement is close to being confirmed.
Meanwhile, the Bulls have benefitted from a failed signing after Carlu Sadie opted to remain with Bordeaux for another season despite signing a pre-contract to join Jake White’s charges.
Bordeaux and the Bulls have reportedly come to a compensation agreement as the tighthead prop remains in France for at least another season.
Bulls cash in on Springboks hopeful’s failed return as French club launches legal proceedings
Stormers retain Salmaan Moerat’s services
While the Stormers are set to lose the services of Dweba next season, they have reportedly agreed a deal with Springboks captain Moerat.
The second-rower attracted interest from France and England with his current contract expiring at the end of the season but has opted to remain in Cape Town.
Unlike Dweba, Moerat is a PONI with SA Rugby contributing towards his salary making it attractive enough that he rejected a massive offer from Sale Sharks.
According to Rugby Pass, the Sharks were willing to pay as much as £330,000 a year for his signature with Bayonne offering similar.
However, the lock has extended with the Stormers and SA Rugby until the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/willie-le-rouxs-demands-scare-off-suitors-springbok-departs-after-impasse-while-stormers-star-rejects-huge-offers
