WP Rugby statement: The alleged Stormers offer for Cheslin Kolbe

Western Province Rugby have issued a statement about the recent speculation linking them to signing Cheslin Kolbe for the Stormers. It emerged last week that the Springboks winger doesn’t have a club for next season after the last year of his deal with Toulon in France was scrapped and it has left him looking around for a post-Rugby World Cup option.

It has since been speculated that the 29-year-old, who exited the Stomers in 2017 to join Toulouse in the French Top 14, had been made an offer to return to Cape Town, but that isn’t the case according to a club statement.

It read: “Western Province Rugby has moved to clarify that no formal offer has been made to Cheslin Kolbe or his representatives to join the DHL Stormers.

"Recent media reports have suggested that Kolbe was made an offer to return to Cape Town, but these engagements did not progress beyond initial exploratory conversations.”

A WP Rugby spokesperson explained: “There was an informal discussion around Cheslin’s availability and interest in joining our squad, but it is important to note that at no point was there a commitment to any figure or contractual details.

"Cheslin Kolbe is one of the premier rugby talents in the world and a proud product of our system, but there was never any formal offer made to him or his representatives.

“We are committed to building on the huge strides that our team has made over the last two seasons by continuing to develop the considerable talent we already have within our system and making strategic acquisitions where necessary.”