Boland face major obstacles in bid to sign Springbok duo
EXCLUSIVE: Double World Cup-winning Springboks Pieter-Steph du Toit and Damian de Allende are in talks over a potential move from Japan to the Boland Cavaliers, Rugby365 has been informed.
Last week, Japanese club Toyota Verblitz confirmed Du Toit’s departure, announcing that the two parties had mutually agreed to part ways after five seasons.
While De Allende’s club, Saitama Wild Knights, has yet to comment on his future, it’s understood that the Bok centurion is also eyeing a return home.
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The Boland Cavaliers are one of the clubs they have been heavily linked with.
Head coach Hawies Fourie confirmed that the club is in talks with the pair, who have shown interest in joining the Winelands-based team.
“I had conversations with their agent; they are with the same agent,” Fourie told Rugby365.
“Currently, we are trying to see if we can make it work. Obviously Boland doesn’t have a big budget, and we don’t play in international competitions.
“It’s not an easy thing to make work. Both of them are returning from Japan, and I think they both will live in Val de Vie, which is quite close to us.”
“There is a possibility, but it’s definitely not finalised yet, and we are working to see what we can do.”
Fourie believes securing the services of the two Springboks would be a massive boost for Boland, as well as the surrounding community.
Du Toit, who attended Hoërskool Swartland in Malmesbury, represented Boland at Craven Week during his school days, while De Allende attended Milnerton High School.
While it would look good on paper, Fourie insists there are several factors Boland must consider before completing the move. Factors including salary caps, squad composition and the players’ availability during in-season competitions.
“There’s still a lot to be done before it becomes a reality,” he added.
“Both of them have shown interest in joining Boland while they are still involved with the Springboks, and it will be great for us if we can make it happen.
“There are a lot of things to sort out, like salary caps, numbers in our squad.
“We also should take into consideration how much they will be available for us in competition time. We’ll consider everything and decide on it.
“If we can make it work, we will definitely give it a go.”
Should the move materialise, Du Toit and De Allende will join a growing list of Springbok players returning from Japan to continue their careers in South Africa.
In recent weeks, Kwagga Smith and Malcolm Marx signed for the Bulls, while Manie Libbok is set to join the Sharks next season.
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