Kings in the market for 'senior' scrumhalf

Kings coach Deon Davids confirmed on Thursday that the youngster is not expected to return from his French club, Oyonnax.

The 21-year-old, who played for his country at the 2016 World Rugby Under 20 Championship, moved to Oyonnax – with the blessing of the Kings –  at the end of the 2016 Super Rugby season.

However, it was expected he would be returning ahead of the 2017 season.

"We have not released him from his contract," Kings Chief Operating Officer Charl Crous said last year.

"James was only contracted for Super Rugby and he has been given the opportunity to gain some exposure abroad during what will be our Currie Cup season," he added.

In recent weeks rumours started to circle that Hall was staying on in France and that was confirmed by the coach on Thursday.

"Unfortunately, it does not seem that James will be back at this point," he told rugby365, when asked about the reports that the young scrumhalf is not returning to Port Elizabeth.

"We are looking at options to recruit a more senior player.

"We will hopefully have more news in the coming weeks on that."

There was no indication why Hall opted to end his agreement with the Kings.

Davids has Ricky Schroeder, Johan Steyn and Rudi van Rooyen as his back-up scrumhalves.