REPORT: Top 14 clubs target World Cup Winners
TRANSFER TALK: Springboks duo Jasper Wiese and Jean Kleyn are reportedly set to ply their trade in the Top 14.
According to French outlet Midi Olympique, South Africa and Leicester Tigers No.8 Jasper Wiese is on the verge of signing with Top 14 outfit Stade Francais at the end of the season.
The same publication reported that Springboks second row Jean Kleyn is likely to leave Munster for Lyon.
The French publication has revealed that 28-year-old Wiese is in the process of signing after spending the last three seasons at Leicester Tigers.
Wiese has become a formidable force in the Premiership since arriving at Leicester, earning his first Springboks cap as a result in 2021.
Erasmus will take the reins once again following the departure of Jacques Nienaber 🇿🇦
Read the full article here: https://t.co/BJwDp2Fl8W#R365 pic.twitter.com/gjr2wHvr5y
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) November 6, 2023
New Stade Francias coach Laurent Labit said: “The first contact went well but nothing has yet been done.
“We will let him breathe in the country, allow him to fully enjoy the celebrations following the title of world champion.
“After that, we will probably re-engage in dialogue.”
Stade Francais currently sit in third place in the Top 14, level on points with leaders Pau, while Leicester sit second from bottom in the Premiership standings.
Meanwhile, Midi Olympique reported Kleyn is top of Lyon’s shopping list as they are looking for a replacement for French international Romain Taofifenua, who is leaving for Racing 92 next season.
The former Stormers and Western Province lock moved to Ireland in 2016 and qualified for selection by residency in 2019. He was picked for his adopted country’s Rugby World Cup squad that year and made five appearances but was not been selected subsequently under Ireland head coach Andy Farrell.
Having been repeatedly overlooked by Farrell, the 30-year-old was in June cleared by World Rugby to switch allegiance back to the Springboks before being included in Jacques Nienaber’s squad for France and featured off the bench in the World Cup final.
The regulation – which came into force at the start of 2022 – allows for players to be selected for their country of birth (or of their parents’ or grandparents’ birth) once a period of at least 36 months has elapsed since last selection for an adopted country.
With Kleyn changing his Test allegiances, the IRFU and Munster will be significantly less keen to fight to keep him.
Rugbypass & Midi Olympique.
