World Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit has reportedly turned his back on Western Province and the Stormers.
According to Netwerk24, the Springbok flanker opted to make use of SA Rugby’s 21-day cost-saving window and terminate his contract with the Cape side.
According to the article, Western Province were under the impression that Du Toit was staying put. However, the World Cup-winning loose forward apparently changed his mind and decided to terminate his contact with immediate effect.
So it looks like Montpellier will line up like this next season.
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) May 15, 2020
Pieter-Steph du Toit making a late u-turn. https://t.co/8YBrovk9po
He’s turned down Harlequins earlier in the year and is now set to join Montpellier on a contract which will see him earn £1m per season.
The World Cup hero is not the only player leaving the Cape, with Netwerk24 also reporting that versatile forward Cobus Wiese and flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis are also on their way out of the Province.
LIST | 5 England Internationals Who Started With a Bang But Faded Fast
Some players who don’t make it at international level do occasionally make bright starts. In fact, plenty can look like international superstars in the first few caps before things quickly go downhill.
Here’s a look back at five England internationals who actually started very brightly, but quickly faded away…
1. Denny Solomona
A prolific rugby league winger, Solomona has continued that eye-catching form with Sale Sharks, scoring 41 tries in 68 games so far.
His England career began with the definition of a ‘bang’ – a dream first run out in the England shirt, he came off the bench to score a last-minute winner in a dramatic 38-34 win against Argentina in San Juan on June 10, 2017.
He won the last of five caps against South Africa in June 2018 and has vowed to put his off-field problems behind him. His Premiership form before lockdown earned him some admirers – time for an international recall?