Eben Etzebeth
Western Province have brushed off reports linking lock Eben Etzebeth with a move to French giants Toulon.
French newspaper Var Matin reported over the weekend that the Springbok lock could join Toulon after next year’s Rugby World Cup.
The 23-year-old Capetonian is seen as an ideal replacement for compatriot Bakkies Botha, who recently retired from international rugby and will leave Toulon at the end of the current European season.
Sport24
WP Rugby chief executive Rob Wagner, dismissed the reports, saying Etzebeth is contracted to the union until the end of the 2016 season.
“I’m not disturbed by such rumours,” Wagner said.
However, players getting early releases from their contracts in modern rugby is commonplace, especially when Euros are compared to Rands.
Etzebeth is seen as the ideal replacement for Botha at Toulon, who are the current French and European champions. He has played 33 Tests for the Springboks since making his debut against England in Durban in 2012.