Serfontein: Decision to leave was personal

Cape Town - Springbok and Bulls centre Jan Serfontein has clarified his reasons behind turning down a contract offer to remain in South Africa and opt instead to further his career abroad.

On Wednesday it was confirmed that Serfontein, 24, had turned down a deal from the Bulls and SA Rugby in order to negotiate a move abroad - most likely to either Toulon or Montpellier in France.

However, Serfontein's departure may well not spell the end of his Springbok career, thanks to SA Rugby's new policy of players based overseas with 30 Tests or more being eligible for selection for the national side from July 1 onwards.

Serfontein currently has 26 caps to his name.

On Thursday, Netwerk24 reported that SA Rugby took too long in offering Serfontein an acceptable deal.

“SARU was requested in November last year to communicate with Jan over a new contract. He only received an offer about a month or so ago, by then it was too late,” reliable source told the Afrikaans website.

Later on Thursday Serfontein took to Twitter to clarify his thinking behind rejecting what was widely believed to be a lucrative joint offer from the Bulls and SA Rugby.

Following media reports today about my decision not to stay on in SA, I would like to state the facts.

— Jan Serfontein (@SerfonteinJan) April 20, 2017

I was happy and grateful with the generous contract extension offered by SA Rugby and the Bulls, made well in advance by both parties.

— Jan Serfontein (@SerfonteinJan) April 20, 2017

My decision to pursue playing opportunities abroad was personal, had nothing to do with media claims about unhappiness or uncertainty.

— Jan Serfontein (@SerfonteinJan) April 20, 2017