1
Here we go again - another Mostert-style row erupts over Etzebeth's Toulon move
By Online Editors
Western Province and Stormers officials are raging over Eben Etzebeth's protracted move to French Top 14 powerhouse Toulon.
Western Province CEO Paul Zacks said his organisation only found out about the move via the media, reports Sport 24. He's confirmed that he received a phone call from Lions CEO Rudolf Straeuli, after the Johannesburg-based franchise were involved in a long drawn out saga over Franco Mostert's move to Gloucester Rugby,
Etzebeth's contract is due to run out at the end of 2019 and Zacks has confirmed that Western Province will be writing to SA Rugby over the issue.
"Obviously he (Straeuli) had his own issue with Franco (Mostert). We are going to be writing a letter to SA Rugby because at the end of the day it's a tripartite agreement and SA Rugby and Western Province are parties as well as the player to that contract," Zacks said.
"The fact is that there are contractual commitments in place with the individuals."
"I'm not sure it's the player's fault, to be honest," he said.
"I suppose the disappointing part is that protocol wasn't followed.
Continue reading below...
You may also be interested in: South African stars could be moving to big English clubs
Zacks feels that Etzebeth will be the first of many to leave in the coming year.
"In terms of the Springboks and a lot of the players going forward I think we all know that there is always a lot of movement of players post a World Cup to greener pastures, so to speak.
"That is not unexpected, I think it's just the way we manage the communication is key and following protocol and having respect for the parties."
Mostert, for his part, will finally make his first start for Gloucester in their Heineken Champions Cup game against Exeter at Kingsholm on Friday.
Watch: Rassie Erasmus won't stay on as Springboks head coach beyond 2019
Trending on RugbyPass
2
'Bulls***': Ex-England international calls out Eben Etzebeth
3
Stuart Hogg addresses rumours of rugby return
4
Black Ferns Sevens coach provides update on injured duo
5
Latest Comments
Dont know if the Irish players said it or not, but lets all be honest with ourselves, and hopefully both the Irish and French have healed by now, the Media did jump the gun, be realistic, according to 90% of the media it was a France and Ireland final, and the media had 1 of them winning the world cup, not even mentioning the All blacks? Just remember world cups are different, Australia was not the most in form cricket tean in the last cricket world cup, but they have a nack of winning when it matters. I wont go into whether what Etzabeth is saying is true, all I am saying is that its very easy for a team to get ahead of themselves due to the media. Nothing wrong with it, the media got the springboks over confident against England and we nearly lost that one.
Go to commentsHey Finn, Well done to the Junior Wallabies…a win is a win but it was a wet and scrappy game. Would be interesting to hear your opinion on two things from watching the game at the Not So Sunny Coast Stadium. Firstly, what is your opinion on the rule change of being able to call The Mark from a kick off and what is the reason for the change? Secondly, your thoughts on the lack of action for the high tackle on the SA fullback. I understand the TMO ruled that he had fallen into the tackle and the tackler didn’t have time to adjust but it was clearly shoulder on head and the Aussie 11 had not made any attempt to adjust his tackle height leading into the tackle. In my opinion he was never going to get his tackle technique correct to complete a safe tackle. If that tackle was made at a more senior and more scrutinised level would we have seen the same result?
Go to comments