In a major boost for Stormers fans, Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and a number of his teammates are staying in the Mother City.
With a mass post-World Cup exodus expected, it was feared that Kolisi and the likes of World Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit and props Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe might further their careers abroad.
And with Western Province Rugby’s financial woes well documented, the situation was ripe for the European clubs to come in with offers.
PUSH: Bok prop Frans Malherbe. Picture: Franck Robinchon/EPA.
But while WP is yet to confirm the news, the Daily Voice has learnt from a reliable source that the big guns are staying.
STAYING PUT: Bongi Mbonambi. Picture: Willem Loock/BackpagePix.
Du Toit also confirmed his stay in the Mother City on Monday when the Boks did their trophy parade, saying: “I signed for two more years at the Stormers and hopefully we can take this [Bok] momentum into that camp.”
GOOI 'N LANGE: Bok Eben Etzebeth. Picture: Issei Kato/Reuters.
Two World Cup winners Eben Etzebeth (Toulon, France) and Damian de Allende (Wild Knights, Japan) will leave the union along with Dillyn Leyds (Wasps, England) Sikhumbuzo Notshe and Michael Kumbirai (Sharks), Dan Kriel and SP Marais (Canon Eagles, Japan).