South Africa faces mass exodus post World Cup - reports

A report in South Africa suggests that SA Rugby could see an unprecedented number of players leave their shores after the World Cup in Japan.

Afrikaans newspaper the Rapport has indicated that about 55 top players in the Republic are yet to sign deals with their Super Rugby franchises.

Although some of the deals are yet to be announced by the clubs involved, the Rapport states that fifteen players have already signed deals with overseas teams.

The 15 players are Stormers trio Eben Etzebeth (Toulon, France), EW Viljoen (Leicester Tigers, England) and Dillyn Leyds (Wasps, England); Bulls quartet RG Snyman (Jonda Heat, Japan), Eli Snyman (Treviso, Italy), Hendre Stassen (Stade Francais, France) and Duane Vermeulen (Kubota Spears, Japan); Sharks quintet Jacques Vermeulen (Exeter Chiefs, England), Akker van der Merwe, Jean-Luc du Preez, Dan du Preez and Robert du Preez (all Sale Sharks, England); and Lions trio Stephan Lewies (Harlequins), Andries Ferreira (already joined the Hurricanes in New Zealand) and Nic Groom (Edinburgh, Scotland).

Springbok Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has revealed a new contracting structure that will be implemented this year to reward players for staying in the country which may keep some of the top internationals in South Africa while SA Rugby has also scrapped the 30-test cap rule. 

However, the report also states that the following Springboks are yet to sign contract extensions locally and are in high demand overseas:

Malcolm Marx (Lions), Warren Whiteley, Elton Jantjies (Lions), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi, Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe (Stormers), Lood de Jager, Handre Pollard (Bulls), Tendai Mtawarira and Curwin Bosch (Sharks).