Stormers to benefit from Cheetahs exodus?

Cape Town - While the future of the Cheetahs remains cloudy, there seems to be an exodus of players looking to leave the union for Cape Town.

While nothing has been officially confirmed at this stage, weekend newspaper Rapport on Sunday claimed that the wing duo of Raymond Rhule and Sergeal Petersen were on their way out of Bloemfontein in a move to the Stormers. 

Petersen remains one of the most highly-rated wings in the country at the moment while Rhule made his Springbok debut against France this June. 

The Cheetahs are expected to be cut from next year's Super Rugby competition - along with the Kings - after it was decided that South Africa would lose two franchises in 2018. 

It has prompted speculation that the Cheetahs and Kings could join the PRO12 League in Europe from as early as September this year. 

The report added that Springbok loose forward Oupa Mohoje and centre Clinton Swart have also been linked with the Stormers. 

Young Free State-based centre Rikus Pretorius, one of the brightest stars to come out of the current crop of school players, has also reportedly agreed to move to Cape Town. 

He will be representing the Free State side at Craven Week later this month. 

The Stormers, at this stage, have not confirmed any new signings.