John Smit and Marius Joubert are the latest rats to jump the sinking ship that is South African rugby post World Cup 2007.
They will be joining French Top 14 side Clermont Ferrand next season. The announcement comes a week after it was confirmed that current Bok captain Victor Matfield will be linking up with French Second Division outfit Toulon after the World Cup.
South African players who will be playing overseas next year include:
Victor Matfield – France – Toulon
John Smit – France – Clermont Ferrand
Schalk Burger – France – Toulouse (Not confirmed yet)
Percy Montgomery – France – Perpignon
Breyton Paulse – France – Clermont Ferrand (Not confirmed yet)
Marius Joubert – France – Clermont Ferrand
Gerrie Britz – France – Perpignon
Lawrence Sephaka – France – Toulon
De Wet Barry – England – Harlequins
Joe van Niekerk – England – Northampton Saints
Butch James – England – Bath (Not confirmed yet)
So far…
Supersport will need to start showing the French league from next year. There will be nothing to watch here with the Boks under Pieter de Villiers.