Rugby Transfers: Springbok joins Bulls, another controversial Montpellier signing, Saint lose star, mass overhaul at Stade Francais
Our latest transfer update including Aphiwe Dyantyi, Wilfrid Hounkpatin and Louis Carbonel.
The Bulls have announced two new signings ahead of next season, including another Springbok, while Northampton Saints bid farewell to a Fiji star, Montpellier to make another controversial signing and more in our latest transfer update.
Bulls make double signing
Following their United Rugby Championship final loss to Glasgow Warriors, the Bulls have announced two new signings.
Springboks winger Aphiwe Dyantyi has joined the Pretoria-based side on a two-year deal until June 2026 after leaving the Sharks just one season after his return from a four-year doping ban.
“This feels like a second opportunity,” the 29-year-old said.
“It will be good to be in an environment like the one the Vodacom Bulls have, almost very familiar considering that I was down the highway during the start of my career.”
Meanwhile, Jake White has moved to snap up another star from a fellow South African URC team, with Kuyenzeka ‘Nama’ Xaba joining from the Stormers.
The flanker left the Cape-based side following the conclusion of the season and will provide cover and competition for Springboks flanker Marco van Staden.
Former Glenwood High and University of Cape Town captain Xaba has also signed a two-year deal with the Bulls after making 25 appearances for the Stormers, with whom he has spent much of his junior and senior professional career.
“This is a privilege for me to come join the most successful union in South Africa,” Xaba said.
“I am looking forward to a different challenge away from my comfort zone. There is a lot of quality players at the Vodacom Bulls and I want to play alongside them. I also have a wonderful opportunity to be taught by seasoned coaches, I am looking forward to learning from them.”
Montpellier’s newest signing
Montpellier look set to make another controversial signing ahead of next season after securing the services of Billy Vunipola, Stuart Hogg and Mohamed Haouas.
The trio mentioned above have all had their run-ins with the law recently, with Vunipola arrested after a drunken night out, Hogg ordered to stay away from his estranged wife, and Haouas receiving a one-year prison sentence after hitting his wife in public.
Lock Bastien Chalureau was also accused of racially motivated abuse of two men, and while being cleared that it was racially motivated, his six-month suspended prison sentence remained in place for the violent incident.
Now, French publication L’Equipe reports that the club is in talks with Castres prop Wilfrid Hounkpatin.
Hounkpatin could leave Castres two years before the end of his contract as he is in ‘advanced talks’ to join Montpellier, with the former willing to allow him to leave after the prop was sentenced to 12 months in prison with a suspended sentence and an obligation to follow an awareness course for domestic violence.
Sam Matavesi leaves Northampton
Premiership champions Northampton Saints have bid farewell to powerful hooker Sam Matavesi who has departed the club with immediate effect.
It is reported that Matavesi is in talks with Top 14 club Lyon, with Saints confirming that he is leaving the side ‘to pursue a playing opportunity overseas.’
The 32-year-old Fijian international joined Northampton from Cornish Pirates and made 89 appearances during his five-season spell at Franklin’s Gardens.
“We’re disappointed that Sam has decided to move overseas, but we have a fantastic stable of hookers at Saints in Curtis Langdon, Robbie Smith and Craig Wright – so we have every confidence in the quality we have in that space,” said Northampton director of rugby, Phil Dowson.
“Sam has brought a lot, both on and off the pitch, to our group over the last few seasons, so we thank him for his contribution and wish him and his family the best for their next step.”
Stade Francais’ ins and outs
Top 14 finalists Stade Francais have announced nine new signings ahead of next season with 12 players departing the side that finishing top of the table after the regular season.
Former France international Rory Kockott is one of the headline departures after he came out of retirement to feature for the club this season. The 38-year-old enjoyed a fine campaign but now departs the Parisian club.
Club centurion Kylan Hamdaoui leaves the side to join Clermont, while hooker Laurent Panis has announced his retirement.
Mathieu de Giovanni has signed a deal to join Agen, while Joris Segonds heads to Bayonne and is joined by flanker Giovanni Habel-Kueffner.
Georgian internationals Vasil Kakovin and Giorgi Tsutskiridze have signed to join Black Lion, while Sefanaia Naivalu, Julien Ory and Stephane Ahmed have been released.
Premiership Ins and outs: The complete list of the 2024/25 player transfers
Finally, hooker Mickeal Ivaldi heads to Toulon.
Meanwhile, the club have announced the signing of Montpellier fly-halves Louis Carbonel and Louis Foursans.
The club have also added fullback Joe Joans to their ranks from Biarritz with back-rowers Yoan Tanga (La Rochelle) and Pierre Huguet (Bayonne) signing for the Parisian side.
Portugal star Raffaele Storti returns from loan to officially join Stade Francais, while hooker Giacomo Nictotera joins from Benetton, with flyer Samuel Ezeal completing the list.
“These are players that we have been targeting for several months, and we are happy that they are joining us,” said Stade Francais head coach Laurent Labit.
“They fit perfectly into our project and tick the boxes to continue the work already done this season. Serious players to work with humility in a common dynamic, this will be the leitmotif of next season.”
READ MORE: United Rugby Championship ins and outs: The complete list of the 2024/25 player transfers
