Grenoble deal close for Aplon

Grenoble - Top-14 outfit Grenoble are confident that they will have Stormers and Springbok wing Gio Aplon on their books for next season, club sources have said on Wednesday.

"Nothing has been signed yet, but contract talks are going well," the source said, while adding that other top sides were interested in the player.

The 31-year-old Aplon has been capped 17 times for the Springboks, scoring five tries.

He is currently preparing for the Stormers' opening Super Rugby match of the season against the Lions, having been named South African Player of the Year in 2010.

If Aplon does sign for Grenoble for next season he will join up with other new players at the club - Jonathan Wisniewski (from Racing-Mtro), Remy Hugues (Dax), Jackson Willison (Blues) and Julien Brugnaut (Racing-Mtro).

Grenoble are currently enjoying a fine season in the Top14 and are in sixth position and in line for a place in the playoffs.