Springbok duo Bongi Mbonambi and Jasper Wiese. Photo: SA Rugby website.
A French club has reportedly ramped up their negotiations to lure this bruising Springbok forward from an English club in the near future.
SPRINGBOK TO TRADE ENGLAND FOR FRANCE?
According to the UK’s Daily Mail, Springbok No 8 Jasper Wiese is tipped to leave the Leicester Tigers for Parisian side Stade Français.
Wiese is one of two current World Cup-winning Springboks plying their trade for the Leicester Tigers, but the only financial crisis within the English top flight has seen a number of marquee players exit the cash-strapped English Premiership.
ALSO READ | Ireland to kick Springbok out, despite Munster’s wish to keep him
The 28-year-old Wiese played a pivotal role in Leicester’s league triumph in 2022, and has been capped 27 times by SA including a World Cup final appearance off the bench against the All Blacks.
It is understood that new Tigers head coach Dan McKellar is eager to retain the Bok powerhouse, but CEO Andrea Pinchen is adamant about preserving the current salary cap, and the allure of the euro for top-tier players like Wiese cannot be ignored.
JASPER WIESE IS ONE OF LEICESTER’S STAR PLAYERS
by Mariette Adams, The South African