TWO Springboks linked with French moves

Makazole Mapimpi and Lukhanyo Am could be the latest Springboks to make their move to the French Top 14 contenders, according to reports.

According to a report by Midi Olympique’s RugbyRama, the Sharks flyer is being put up for interest amongst the league’s biggest teams. But it’s not only Mapimpi being linked with a French move after the World Cup.

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Springboks on the move?

The same source suggests Springboks teammate Lukhanyo Am was attracting interest of Clermont. But the leading French outfit opted against moving for the attacking duo because of the Springboks’ calendar.

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Teams are moving fast in France. Just take Champions Cup title holders La Rochelle who signed England wing Jack Nowell for next season. He will compete with South African pair Dillyn Leyds and Raymond Rhule for a place in the starting lineup.

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Mapimpi scored the first-ever try for the Springboks in a World Cup final when they famously beat England 32-12 in Japan.

He has 22 tries in 32 Test matches.

But at 32, you could see why he might take a big-money move to France.

Speculation is mounting that the likes of England’s Anthony Watson, Wallaby Filipo Daugunu, Italian international Monty Ioane and All Black Leicester Fainga’anuku are all being displayed in the shop window.

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South Africa in 2023

Rugby Championship:

✈ 8 July: Springboks vs Australia (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)

✈ 15 July: South African vs New Zealand (Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland)

✈ 29 July: Springboks vs Argentina (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)

World Cup warm-ups:

✈ 5 August: South African vs Argentina (Vélez Stadium, Buenos Aires)

✈ 19 August: South African vs Wales (Millennium Stadium, Cardiff)

✈ 25 August: Springboks vs New Zealand (Twickenham Stadium, London)

Rugby World Cup:

✈ 10 September: South Africa vs Scotland (Stade Vélodrome, Marseille) 

✈ 17 September: Springboks vs Romania (Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux) 

✈ 23 September: South African vs Ireland (Stade de France, Saint-Denis, Paris) 

✈ 1 October: Springboks vs Tonga (Stade Vélodrome, Marseille)

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