French Top 14 club Perpignan are reportedly hunting the services of retired Springbok flyhalf Butch James and possibly Gary van Aswegen of the Stormers.
Sport24
James, 35, retired from rugby after the Sharks’ Currie Cup campaign last year and has since taken up the role of backline and kicking coach of Varsity Shield side, UKZN Impi, who are coached by former Golden Lions and All Black mentor John Mitchell.
French rugby newspaper Midi Olympique reported that Perpignan is interested to sign James as a “medical replacement” for Camille Lopez, who has suffered a knee injury which will keep him sidelined for long.
James, Sébastien Fauque, Thomas Bakehouse and Stormers flyhalf Gary van Aswegen are the names mentioned as possible candidates to be signed by Perpignan.
It will be a tough decision for James to come out of retirement, especially with his new role alongside the experienced Mitchell, which could open future coaching doors elsewhere.
Van Aswegen is part of the Stormers squad for this year’s Super Rugby competition and will fight for a spot in the starting team alongside Demetri Catrakilis, Kurt Coleman and Peter Grant.