Bath and Springboks tighthead prop Thomas du Toit has reportedly turned down a mammoth offer in France in favour of a return to South Africa, while hooker Marnus van der Merwe fields interest from several clubs.
Du Toit was a driving force in Bath’s PREM Rugby success last season, but is off-contract at the end of the season and is set to depart the club, favouring a return to the Sharks.
Turning down millions
According to a report by Rapport, the front-rower was offered a mouth-watering deal to join French club Bordeaux, with several insiders stating it was ‘one of the largest salaries any Bok would earn in Europe’.
Despite the tantalising offer tabled by the Top 14 club, believed to be several million rands a year, Du Toit has favoured a return to Durban instead, in order to be closer to family.
It is understood that Bath were eager to retain the services of the 30-year-old, who has scored 12 tries in 25 appearances, but have failed in their attempts.
Du Toit’s arrival at the team that he previously captained could coincide with the departure of fellow Springboks prop Vincent Koch, who has not yet signed a contract extension with the Durban-based team.
Koch’s contract also concludes at the end of the current season, and according to the report, it’s unclear whether he will be offered an extension by the club.
Bidding war looms as Springboks rookie weighs up his options after snubbing overseas interest
Sharks face competition for Marnus van der Merwe
Meanwhile, the Sharks face stiff competition from multiple clubs for the signature of newly capped Bok hooper Van der Merwe.
The Scarlets front-rower has attracted interest from the likes of Munster and Clermont with his contract at the Welsh club concluding in June 2026.
According to Rapport, the Sharks are the only South African team in the running for his services at the moment as they look to plug the void created by Dylan Richardson’s move to Scottish club Edinburgh.
The Durbanites are also wary that Bongi Mbonambi is in the twilight of his career, and they may need a more experienced hooker with up-and-comers Bryce Calvert and Ethan Bester on the payroll.
Fez Mbatha and new signing Eduan Swart are the other two hookers in the Sharks’ United Rugby Championship squad for this season.
Van der Merwe was a surprise inclusion in the Springboks squad earlier this year, with Rassie Erasmus handing him his Test debut against Georgia in July. He has since featured in the Rugby Championship, helping the side defend their title.
His rise to international status has not gone unnoticed as French club Clermont have shortlisted the Scarlets hooker as a potential replacement for Wallabies front-rower Folau Fainga’a, who will return to Australia, signing for the Waratahs.
As for Munster, the Irish club have been attempting to strengthen their hooker stocks for some time now but have repeatedly had their moves blocked by the IRFU. That could change this time around with David Humphreys taking over as the union’s performance director.