Post-World Cup Bok exodus gathers momentum
TRANSFER NEWS: The Springboks’ post-World Cup exodus appears to be gathering momentum.
It has already been confirmed that captain Siyamthanda Kolisi (heading to Racing 92), along with props Steven Kitshoff (Ulster) and Thomas du Toit (Bath) will continue their careers abroad after the global showpiece in France.
Now it has been revealed the Bok lock Marvin Orie is on French club Perpignan’s wishlist.
The online version of the French publication Midi Olympique, RugbyRama, reported that the Top 14 outfit is in search of a No.5 lock of international calibre.
The name of Orie, 30, is top of the list of the team that barely escaped demotion from the top flight in France’s premier domestic competition.
The Catalans finished second bottom of France’s top tier which meant they faced the runners-up from the Pro D2, Grenoble, in the promotion/relegation play-off.
Taking place at the Stade des Alpes, it was a fiercely contested match between two powerful sides but it was the visitors who got the upper hand, claiming a 33-19 triumph.
They are now on a recruitment drive to lift the club off the basement.
They have already signed players like Pietro Ceccarelli, Patrick Sobela, So’otala Fa’aso’o, Jaco Van Tonder, Apisai Naqalevu, Jean-Pascal Barraque, Tavite Veredamu, Tommaso Allan and Nemo Roelofse.
The Stormers’ Bok lock, Orie, would be a major reinforcement for the blood and gold pack.
Orie, a member of the current Springbok Rugby Championship training squad, has been capped 11 times – with his last Test when he started in the 27-13 win over England at Twickenham in November last year.
He also came off the bench as a replacement in the 26-30 loss to France at Stade Vélodrome, in Marseilles.
If Orie makes the cut for the Springbok World Cup squad, he would not land in Aimé-Giral until the end of the year.
