Cape Town - The Stormers might be facing a massive setback to their 2017 Super Rugby campaign, with reports that Munster are close to signing Springbok Jaco Taute for the second half of the Guinness Pro12 season.
Munster's director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus, has confirmed that the club is requesting an extension to Taute's short-term loan.
The 25-year-old joined the Irish club on a four-month loan basis in September this year.
"It's not signed off but obviously as David (Nucifora) mentioned last week we're discussing it with Western Province, or the Stormers, and on our side at Munster," Erasmus told the Irish Independent website.
"Jaco has played more than 90 games at fullback and is covering bases there. It's not signed and sealed, we still have to dot the I's and cross the T's before we can officially say he's with us.
"The team is young, he (Jaco) brings calmness and a bit of mentoring skill on and off the field which is great for the players' development. He's bought into being a Munster player, he's proud to be a Munster player."
Taute became a Springbok in 2012, but his career has been blighted by injury since joining Western Province in 2013.
He has represented the Stormers in only 23 Super Rugby games.
Taute is set to play his final game of his loan deal on New Year’s Eve against Connacht in Galway.
The Irish Independent is reporting a possible six-month extension, which would see the Stormers be without Taute for the vast majority of their Super Rugby campaign, which starts at home against the Bulls on Saturday, February 25.