Stormers set to lose lock Cobus Wiese to Saracens

Young utility forward Cobus Wiese is in advanced negotiations with Premiership giants Saracens to sign a five-year deal with the European champions, reports claim.

According to rugby365, the 22-year-old is set to become the 11th player from the Stormers to move to another team following the likes of World Cup-winning Springboks Eben Etzebeth (to Toulon in France) and Damian de Allende (to Wild Knights in Japan), as well as Dan Kriel (Lions), Corné Fourie (Gloucester, England), Sikhumbuzo Notshe (Sharks), Michael Kumbirai (Sharks), Chris Massyn (Cheetahs), Kobus van Dyk (Eagles, Japan), Craig Barry (Cheetahs) and EW Viljoen (Leicester Tigers, England).

The report comes in the midst of Saracens facing a  £5m fine & points deduction for salary cap breach, and if Wiese's move goes through, it would see him qualify to play for England at the end of his contract.

Wiese has been a regular in the Stormers and Western Province teams for the last two years and his exit from the Cape-based franchise comes at a time when Stormers management is struggling with dwindling cash resources and ongoing boardroom battles.

Full report via rugby365