Stormers address Joseph Dweba situation as speculation mounts
A changed status and rumours abound, but the Stormers are willing to give Springbok hooker Joseph Dweba space to make a call on his future.
Dweba, 28, has been at the centre of much speculation since it became public knowledge that he has dropped out of the top three on the Springbok pecking order for hookers.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus revealed the dramatic change in the pecking order amongst the No.2s in the national team at a media briefing last week.
Bulls hookers Johan Grobbelaar and Jan-Hendrik Wessels moved past Dweba – behind World Cup winners Malcolm Marx and Bongi Mbonambi – into the squad for the two-Test series against Ireland.
Dweba, a back-up for the World Cup squad last year, remained in the list of ‘standby’ players.
It sparked renewed scuttlebutting about the future of the six-times capped Dweba.
Media reports had linked him to Premiership side Sale Sharks, a popular destination for Springboks and other South African players.
However, weekend media reports suggested Dweba has declined an increased offer from the Sharks and renewed interest by French clubs.
It was sparked by Dweba’s decision to update his WhatsApp status: “I’m here to stay.”
The update was accompanied by three wink emojis.
Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson admitted they are willing to let Dweba go.
However, he also suggested the Bok will remain in Cape Town.
“Joe has a contract with the Stormers till the end of June 2025, which I’m sure he will see out,” Dobson told @rugby365com.
“We are very happy with his progress this season, which has brought him back into the Springbok mix.”
However, Dobson made it clear they will not stand in Dweba’s way if the right offer comes along.
“As has been the case in the past, if a player gets a life-changing opportunity for him and his family, we are open to discuss if it can be worked out,” Dobson said.
“We want the very best for our players and their futures.”
Dweba made 20 appearances for the Stormers this past season, but has fallen out of the top three in the Springbok selection order.
According to media reports, Dweba also lost his status as a ‘Player of National Interest’, meaning the Stormers no longer receive a top-up contribution from the South African Rugby Union to supplement the player’s salary.
Dweba began his professional career with the Cheetahs, making his debut in the Currie Cup in 2016 and made over 40 appearances.
In 2020, Dweba moved to France to join Bordeaux Bègles in the Top 14. He played for Bordeaux for two seasons, making 24 appearances.
In 2022, Dweba returned to South Africa to join the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship, although the move home hasn’t worked in terms of his ascension in Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks selection hierarchy.
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I was excited about the Razor error, but a few things are bothering me about this team. It’s looking less like a bright new dawn, and more like a conservative look to the past. We’ll never know how much pressure comes from above to select established players, but imagine if Razor wiped the slate clean and created the new baby blacks, the financial hit to NZR would be huge. Not that such drastic measures are needed, but a few selections still puzzle. TJ and Christie. Neither look like bright picks for the future, both are experienced but with limitations. I understand why you would pick one as a safe pair of hands, but why both? Jacobson is no impact player, and it makes no sense to me why you would pick both Blackadder and Jacobson in the same squad. They cover pretty much the same positions, and Jacobson has never demanded a start. Blackadder has struggled to stay on the field, but if he is picked, play him. Let’s see what he can do, we know enough about Jacobson, and Blackadder has far more mongrel. I would have preferred to see Lakai in the squad, he offers a point of difference and the energy of youth. Plus he would have kept Papali’i honest and created tasty competition for the 7 jersey. Ioane. The experiment goes on. The bloke is a fantastic winger but still fails to convince as a centre. Has NZR invested so much money in him that there’s pressure to play him? Proctor was by far the better player all season and played next to Barrett. Play him; a specialised centre, in form. Crazy I know. Our two wingers are very good, but we still miss a power runner in the backline. Faiga’anuki was a big loss and could have filled that role at wing or 13. More money on young players like him and less on aging stars would not go amiss in NZ rugby. Perofeta had a decent game, but the jury is still out. The lack of a specialist fullback in the squad is another head scratcher. Admittedly it’s early days and a win is a win, but hopefully some more innovation is in the plan otherwise I see this squad struggling sooner or later.
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