Springboks latest: Damian de Allende’s surprise return, Rassie’s assistants’ futures and Sharks’ shock target to replace Lukhanyo Am
Springboks centre Damian de Allende and an inset of assistant coach Tony Brown.
Here’s the latest South African transfer news and rumours with the future of the Springboks coaching staff to be decided.
Respected Afrikaans newspaper Rapport is renowned for the accuracy of its reports, and this Sunday’s stories provide plenty of intrigue.
Rassie’s staff
Firstly, it reveals negotiations over the future of Rassie Erasmus‘ coaching staff have been placed on pause until the end of the November internationals.
Erasmus’ contract expires after the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia and the same is true for his Springbok assistants, Mzwandile Stick, Deon Davids, Jerry Flannery, Felix Jones, Daan Human and Tony Brown.
Initial talks with the head coach and SA Rugby stalled with Erasmus wanting the future of his assistants to be secured before committing beyond the World Cup in Australia.
It is reported that at least two international clubs are interested in his services, but the 53-year-old is eager to continue in the role.
“We hope to finalise it within a few days (after the November Tests),” a source told the publication.
Doogz’s homecoming?
Meanwhile, Rapport states that the Stormers have opened up talks with Damian de Allende to seal his return to the Cape-based franchise where his professional career began.
The double World Cup-winning centre debuted for the Stormers back in 2013 before leaving the side in 2019 to join Japanese club the Panasonic Wild Knights. He would make the switch to Munster in 2020 before returning to Japan, rejoining the Knights.
Earlier this year, De Allende said that he wanted to finish his career back at the Stormers.
“Every time coming back to South Africa and then especially going back to Cape Town, I always get a little excited feeling in my body like I’m a little kid going home again,” he said in a Bok press conference ahead of the clash against the Barbarians.
“I would only want to finish in Cape Town.”
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Now, it looks as if the Stormers are attempting to make that a reality for the 33-year-old and have the funds to do so following a plethora of departures.
“He wants to come and the Stormers want him, but it hasn’t been finalised yet,” a source told the publication.
The report did not state when De Allende could return to the Stormers, but it is likely that he will play one final season in Japan before leaving the Wild Knights.
Securing his signature would be another huge signing for the Stormers, having snapped up the likes of Ntuthuko Mchunu, Ruan Ackermann and Cobus Reinach for this season, with powerhouse prop Wilco Louw arriving next.
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Sharks shop for Lukhanyo Am’s replacement
Having bid Springboks centre Lukhanyo Am farewell with the club legend heading to Japan after signing with the DynaBoars, the Sharks are on the hunt for a replacement and have turned their attentions to a New Zealand-based star.
According to Rapport, the club has made ‘good progress’ in their attempt to sign Hawke’s Bay and Namibian centre Le Roux Malan for the remainder of the season. Malan made headlines during the 2023 Rugby World Cup after he dislocated and fractured his ankle in a match against the All Blacks.
Since then, he has continued to represent Namibia at international level while plying his club trade with the New England Free Jacks in Major League Rugby and Hawke’s Bay in the NPC.
Malan represented the Sharks at youth level, featuring for the U19 and U21 teams before heading abroad and could be recruited as cover until the end of the season, with a cheekbone injury that he sustained on duty with the Magpies delaying the move.
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