Ex-South African U20 hooker Willemse in 'advanced stages' of PRO14 club switch

The Southern Kings have responded to reports that former South Africa under-20 hooker Michael Willemse is on the verge of completing a move to the Northern Hemisphere.

The Southern Kings have confirmed that he has indicated to the franchise that he is in talks with a PRO14 rival.

The club insists that a move to Edinburgh has not been completed.

In a statement the Kings said: "It has been widely reported in various media publications that the 25-year-old Willemse, who captained the Isuzu Southern Kings in its debut season in 2017/18 and the early part of the 2018/19 season before he was sidelined by a shoulder injury, has signed for Edinburgh. However, the player has indicated that while no deal has been finalised, he is in talks with the Scottish side.

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“Michael Willemse has spoken to us to indicate that he and his agent are in the advanced stages of talks with Edinburgh for a possible move to the Scottish team,” Isuzu Southern Kings Chief Operations Officer, Charl Crous, said on Monday.

“Michael has been an integral part of our team and has emphasised his commitment to the Isuzu Southern Kings until the end of his contract with the franchise.”

Willemse, who is a former scholar at Grey High School in Port Elizabeth, joined the Isuzu Southern Kings ahead of their final Vodacom Super Rugby season in 2017 where he quickly established himself as one of the key players for the side.

He is contracted with the Isuzu Southern Kings until the end of June 2019.

The Isuzu Southern Kings will not make further comment on the matter until it has been finalised by all parties.