The Stormers could be set to lose another player as promising young lock Cobus Wiese is reportedly in talks over a long-term move to Saracens.
According to Rugby365, Wiese is in advanced negotiations with the defending Premiership and European champions and has been offered a five-year deal. That would have him qualifying to play for England at the end of his contract.
The 22-year-old is one of the Stormers’ most promising players and was seen as someone who could fill the void left by Eben Etzebeth’s departure to Toulon.
The rumoured deal comes in the midst of Saracens facing heavy sanctions for breaking the Premiership salary cap. Saracens are set to appeal the suspended 35-point deduction and £5-million fine imposed on the club.
If the move goes through, Wiese would become the 11th player from the Cape-based franchise to move to another team. Etzebeth’s Springbok teammate Damian de Allende will play in Japan with the Wild Knights next year, while the Sharks have signed duo Sikhumbuzo Notshe and Michael Kumbirai.
There is some positive news for the Stormers as World Cup-winning duo Pieter-Steph du Toit and Herschel Jantjies both reaffirmed their commitment to the team during the Cape Town victory parade on Monday.
Du Toit was named 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year, while Jantjies was nominated for Breakthrough Player of the Year after an excellent season in which the young scrumhalf progressed from a promising player at franchise level to a regular for the Springboks.
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