Springbok makes ‘foolish’ call to reject lucrative overseas move – report
Joseph Dweba during the DHL Stormers captains run.
Springboks and Stormers hooker Joseph Dweba has reportedly turned down a lucrative move abroad in order to remain in South Africa.
The hooker has been linked with a move away from the Stormers, with Sale Sharks believed to be the interested club.
However, a fresh report states that he has opted not to take up the opportunity as he intends to remain in Cape Town.
Joseph Dweba turns down Sharks move
According to a report by South African newspaper Rapport, Dweba posted a WhatsApp status captioned “I’m here to stay” with three wink emojis.
A club insider confirmed to the newspaper that the hooker was indeed remaining with the Stormers, with the report adding that “in certain circles, his decision to stay in the Cape is labelled as foolish”.
It is reported that Dweba could have earned up to R1million (about £43,427) a season more at Sale Sharks than if he remains at the Stormers.
It is also understood that SA Rugby will no longer be propping up his Stormers salary as his PONI (player of national interest) contribution is being used elsewhere, making it more difficult for the Cape-based side to afford him.
Dweba has fallen down the Springboks’ hooker pecking order after featuring for the side last year and narrowly missing out on the World Cup squad.
Instead, the Boks opted to take just Malcolm Marx and Bongi Mbonambi to the tournament in France, with Deon Fourie offering cover and filling the replacement role when Marx was injured.
Now, Erasmus confirmed that Johan Grobbelaar is the ‘clear third-choice hooker’ for the side, with Dweba failing to make the squad for the Ireland series.
He was included in the standby list along with fellow clubmate Andre-Hugo Venter, but the Boks have four hookers in the squad in Marx, Mbonambi, Grobbelaar and the versatile Jan-Hendrik Wessels.
As for Sale, they will now turn their attentions elsewhere as they continue their search for a replacement for Los Pumas legend Agustin Creevy, who left the Premiership outfit at the end of the 2023/24 season.
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