The rumour mill surrounding Western Province is in overdrive again.
But before I get to the players, I want to start at the top, daar waar beslissings gemaak word.
And the latest skinner is that MVM Holdings – the American group that is or was in talks with the union about acquiring a majority share in the Stormers – is now flirting with the Sharks.
I guess that is all good and well. But with Michael Yormark (president of Roc Nation Sports agency) also being part of the consortium, those who can connect the dots will see a clear picture unfolding here.
Roc Nation is the company founded by Jay-Z that signed Springbok captain Siya Kolisi to its brand late last year.
Naturally, if they are shifting their attention to Durban, they would want the man who they are managing to be in their camp.
Now it’s no secret that there will be big moves by big South African players at the end of the British and Irish Lions tour next year when some of their contracts come to an end.
Usually a move like that would be overseas and that’s what makes the Kolisi rumour so interesting.
Another one is that flyhalf-cum-fullback Damian Willemse is wanted at the Bulls.
Of the skinner, coach John Dobson says: “There is a lot of rumour at the moment and so much smoke that you suspect there must be fire.
“Nobody’s told me officially that they are going to this place yet. I know that Harlequins are after a couple of our forwards. There’s an article yesterday about Siya maybe going elsewhere and there’s the perpetual about Damian Willemse to the Bulls.
“There is a lot of smoke, but the window isn’t open for those guys for a couple of months still.”
He adds: “Siya is our leader and the [rumour] is a distraction.
"I said to Siya yesterday; ‘do we need to have a chat’ and he said let’s get through Friday [against the Pumas] – which is the mature thing. There can be nothing formal until the contracting window starts.”
Another player WP are trying to hold on to is lock David Meihuizen, who qualifies to play for Scotland and England and is being hunted by the former.
The 23-year-old lock stands 2.05m in his socks and Dobson believes he has a great future ahead of him.
The coach, who included Meihuizen in his side for tomorrow’s clash, says: “David is a bit different. He is a guy that has to make a call about his future. We really want to keep him here in this union.
“I can’t wait until next year and David Meihuizen comes to me and says: ‘Listen I got 30 minutes in the whole Currie Cup – not enough for my development’. I’ve got to be cognisant of that.”
Dobson, though, is on a mission to groom players for the inevitable: his big-name stars finishing their careers elsewhere.
He does this while trying to bring glory to Newlands for old time’s sake.
Good luck Coach!
BIG FUTURE: David Meihuizen