All Black and Bok to join Euro exodus
TRANSFER NEWS: An All Black and a Springbok have joined the growing exodus to Europe.
South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth and New Zealand wing Nehe Milner-Skudder will join Toulon at the end of the 2019 World Cup, the club’s president Mourad Boudjellal announced on Thursday.
Etzebeth, who has 75 Springboks caps, has signed a two-year deal with the Top 14 outfit and 2015 World Cup winner Milner-Skudder will feature for the side for three seasons.
Milner-Skudder has played 13 tests for the All Blacks since bursting onto the scene in 2015.
He starred during the All Blacks’ run to their second consecutive Rugby World Cup but has been unlucky with injury in recent times after undergoing two shoulder surgeries.
Etzebeth has made 75 appearances for the Springboks since 2012 and has represented the Stormers in Super Rugby over 50 times.
Toulon currently has three former All Blacks on the books in Julian Savea, Liam Messam and Malakai Fekitoa, while Etzebeth will join former Springboks Marcel van der Merwe, Juandre Kruger, Jacques Potgieter and JP Pietersen.
News of Milner-Skudder’s departure comes one day after All Blacks fullback Ben Smith confirmed his move to the Top 14, where he will join Pau after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Other internationals in Argentina back row Facundo Isa and France flyhalf Anthony Belleau have extended their contracts until 2022 with the club.
