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CAPE TOWN — Big-spending French giants Toulon are finding the going tough in luring Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth to France after this year’s Rugby World Cup.
Reports late last year indicated that Etzebeth could join Toulon as a replacement for compatriot Bakkies Botha, who is set to leave the reigning European champions.
The problem though for Toulon is that Etzebeth is still contracted to Western Province until the end of the 2016 season — and the union is reluctant to let him go.
Toulon boss Mourad Boudjellal has confirmed their interest in Etzebeth, but admitted that they are finding the going tough to attain Etzebeth’s services, with Western Province believed to be upset over the matter.
Boudjellal told French newspaper Var-matin: “The problem with Etzebeth is that he still has an eight-month contract after the World Cup with the Stormers. It is complicated, because we need his club to agree … they are a bit upset.”
Etzebeth has played 33 Tests for the Springboks since making his debut against England in Durban in 2012.
— Sport24
