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How was it reported by Sport24 Last week, big money from foreign clubs started showing up on the faces of various Springbok stars.
Foreign clubs’ sudden interest in SA players comes from a 21-day window agreed by SA Rugby Industry, MyPlayers and the South African Organization of Rugby Employers (SAREO) in which all professional players have three weeks, until may 14. – to get out of their current contracts with their respective unions and sign on the dotted line with those high-spending clubs in the UK, France and Japan in particular.
Failing to do so would mean staying in South Africa and accepting pay cuts to their current contracts in light of the coronavirus pandemic that has seen not only rugby, but the entire sport, paralyzed.
The window comes at a time when the Rand is particularly weak, making moving abroad an easier decision for many.
It’s all part of SA Rugby’s attempt to cut costs across the board in an effort to save up to R1 billion by the end of the year as the economic impact of the coronavirus becomes more severe with each passing week.
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Sport24 was informed that there was particular interest, predictably, in Stormers and Springbok 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit from a large number of suitors.
Du Toit, 27, was strongly linked to a move to Harlequins late last year, but reports emerged Sunday that the top 14 French giants Montpellier he may be preparing to make the star the highest-paid player in the game.
According to the Rapport newspaper, the French club has offered Du Toit a three-year contract for a staggering € 100,000 (R2 087,000) per month. That equates to € 3.6 million or R75.1 million at the current exchange rate of € 1 / R20.87.
However, the Stormers coach John Dobson had a phone conversation with Du Toit and his family on Saturday night and confirmed to Sport24 that no formal offer has yet been received.
While the Stormers wouldn’t need to be informed of the offer, given the details of the clause, ultimately, there is nothing the franchise can do to stop it, Dobson says there is an agreement with the player and his agent, Gerrie Swart, that any offer will be brought to the attention of the franchise.
“I’m not saying it won’t come, but as of now there has been no offer that we are aware of,” Dobson said.
“We have a very good relationship with Pieter-Steph and Gerrie, and we understand that they will inform us every time an offer is submitted.”
One of the main problems for Dobson and the Stormers is that, under the provisions of the clause, they are not allowed to negotiate their contract with Du Toit, or any of their assets, during this time.
That, it is understood, is an area where the Stormers are prepared to explore their options legally, while the veracity of the reported number of R75 million is also a factor.
Meanwhile, Western Province Rugby Union (WPRU) President Zelt Marais has called on foreign agents and clubs not to act “unscrupulous” during a time when he considers South African unions and players to be in a position vulnerable.
It is understood that the WPRU earlier this week was considering challenging the clause legally, but Marais confirmed to Sport24 on Friday the union withdrew from that position and accepted the legitimacy of the window.
Of the 33 players who were part of the winning team of the 2019 Springboks Rugby World Cup in Japan, only 14 (42%) remain in the country after the exodus abroad that occurred in late 2019.
The percentage is expected to drop further in the coming days, as players could leave their decision up to 24 hours before the deadline to avoid “ awkward ” negotiations with current employers on what amounts to a “ day. unique ” limit in rugby, some football. Fans will be much more used to it.
The Stormers have seven of those 14 players on their books and face a tough fight to keep them in the Cape.
Du Toit is understood to be happy in Cape Town, but with the SA Rugby policy that allows new Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber to choose players based abroad, staying less to be selected is less necessary.
