Lions quash Paige rumours

The Lions have rubbished speculation linking them with a move for Springbok and Bulls scrum-half Rudy Paige as a replacement for Faf de Klerk.

The Rapport had initially reported on Sunday that the Super Rugby finalists were lining up Paige as back-up to incumbent Springbok and Lions' number nine Ross Cronje after De Klerk had left for Sale Sharks at the completion of the Super Rugby competition.

But Lions CEO and former Springbok coach Rudolf Straueli moved to quickly dispel the suggestions.

“I can give the assurance that no contract was signed with Paige," Straueli told Netwerk24.

"It’s always been our aim to bring players through from within our own structures and we’re very happy with the progress that Marco Jansen van Vuren has made as a scrum-half this year. Our age group teams are also performing fantastically and that is where we’ll first look for players for the senior group.”

Paige had previously been playing for the Lions before making the switch to the Bulls in 2012.

The 28-year-old has played 11 Tests for the Springboks and appears to have moved above Francois Hougaard in the Bok pecking order as first in line should anything happen to Cronje.