Rugby transfers: Springboks duo heading abroad? French clubs swoop for in-demand scrum-half
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Two Springboks forwards could be heading abroad ahead of the 2024/25 season while a Stormers scrum-half continues to be courted with a move away from Cape Town.
With the 2023/24 season edging ever nearer to a close, clubs are wrapping up their final bit of transfer business and we recap three reports of potential departees from South African URC teams.
Joseph Dweba to leave the Stormers?
The Stormers could bid farewell to Springboks hooker Joseph Dweba ahead of the new season with the front-rower attracting interest in England.
According to a report by Rugby Pass, Dweba is being targeted by Sale Sharks who are in the market for a hooker having bid farewell to Los Pumas legend Agustin Creevy.
Alex Sanderson signed Creevy and Luke Cowan-Dickie ahead of the 2023/24 season after Akker van der Merwe and Ewan Ashman left the squad for the Bulls and Edinburgh, respectively.
Now, needing to recruit in the position again this season, Sanderson is believed to have launched a second bid to prize the Bok hooker away from the Stormers. The report adds that Dweba is keen to remain in South Africa.
The 28-year-old joined the Stormers after a rather underwhelming stint at Bordeaux having shone with the Cheetahs before heading to France. He has become a regular starter for John Dobson’s side and has played six times for the Springboks since his debut against Argentina in 2021.
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French clubs target Paul de Wet
Staying with the Stormers and scrum-half Paul de Wet is reportedly attracting interest from French clubs despite having one year remaining on his current deal in Cape Town.
De Wet has regularly started ahead of Springbok Herschel Jantjies this season and looks to be weighing up his options ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
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The 28-year-old drew interest from the Bulls, with Jake White reportedly keen to add another number nine to his playing stocks this season, but according to South African newspaper Die Burger, he will not head to Pretoria. Instead, his CV is doing the rounds in France with the publication not naming which clubs are interested in his services.
Meanwhile, it is understood that the Bulls have signed Stormers loose forward Xaba Nama, whose departure from the Cape-based side was confirmed last week.
Sikhumbuzo Nothse to join Bosch at Brive
Springboks back Curwin Bosch looks set to be joined by fellow Sharks teammate Sikhumbuzo Nothse at French Pro D2 club Brive next season.
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According to a report by Sunday newspaper Rapport, Notshe will join the French side ahead of the new season, adding to their impressive recruitment list that includes Bosch and England legend Courtney Lawes.
Notshe was confirmed as one of the Sharks’ leavers at the end of the 2023/24 season and while there was reportedly interest in the Stormers offering a deal to re-sign the loose forward, director of rugby Dobson said that it was unlikely that he would return.
The back-rower has recently struggled with injuries but has earned six Test caps for the Springboks, which all came in 2018. He joined the Sharks in 2020 after being contracted by the Stormers and Western Province between 2013 and 2019.