Stephen Nell

Durban – There are plenty rumours floating around that Western Province rugby could lose Luke Watson and Jean de Villiers to overseas clubs.

Sport24 recently revealed that the Irishl team, Munster, was prepared to lure De Villiers with a substantial offer.

The Springbok inside centre himself said at the time he would make a decision about his future after the British and Irish Lions Test series.

However, informed sources told Sport24 that it was certain that De Villiers would join Munster in 2010. "Jean is gone," Sport24 was told.

Bok centre Jaque Fourie, is also expected to leave South African shores to join the French club Clermont at the end of the local season.

Watson, who will lead the WP in Saturday’s match against the British and Irish Lions at Newlands, is on the  Bath shopping list.

Bath is looking for a substitute for the English flank, Michael Lipman, who left the club earlier this month. Lipman together with Alex Crockett and Andrew Higgins resigned earlier after a probe into an alleged bar brawl.

Informed sources told Sport24 Watson was identified as a possible substitute for Lipman. Watson is likely to captain Western Province in the Currie Cup.

Watson’s Springbok career has probably come to an end after he reportedly made controversial comments about the Bok jersey.

He played brilliantly in the Super14 series this year, but the Bok coach, Peter de Villiers, made it clear that he thought Pierre Spies and Ryan Kankowski were better eighth men.

Should De Villiers leave Western Province, Schalk Burger would probably lead the Stormers’ Super14 campaign in 2010.

Burger and Watson in the past often competed for the same position and apparently don't like each other much. It is unlikely that either of the players would be keen to play under the other as captain.

Bath is apparently also interested in the services of the former WP lock, Ross Skeate who is good friends with Watson.