Springboks international centre Jaque Fourie in talks with Japanese club for possible switch – Rugby News
South African international Rugby Union player, Jaque Fourie, is in talks with the Japanese Football Rugby Union club, Kobe Steelers, for a possible switch to the country. Besides playing for
the South African national Rugby Union team, Springboks, Fourie represents Stormers and Western Province at Super Rugby and South African domestic rugby union competition respectively.
Western Province Chief Executive Officer, Rob Wagner, has confirmed that the Steelers approached Fourie. He made this announcement on Thursday, October 13 while talking to Sport24. He added,
“Jaque let us know immediately that a quite a few Japanese clubs spoke to him.”
Fourie was part of the Springboks 30-man squad, which took part in their recently completed Rugby World Cup campaign. Springboks were the defending champions in the tournament, but the quarter-final
defeat at the hands of the 2011 Tri Nations champions, Wallabies, has ended their title defence campaign.
Wagner added that Fourie has been in contact with the Steelers for some time now. He added that it is natural that clubs approach players, particularly those players, who have not agreed to
extensions in stay with their current club. He said, “It is always the case that clubs put their feelers out to big players who have not lengthened their contracts for the next season.”
Wagner added that Fourie has taken the management in confidence and said that he will not be making any decision without getting them onboard. He added that Fourie did not want to create
any diversion by discussing the details of the contract due to the Springboks Rugby World Cup campaign.
The 28-year-old Fourie started his professional Rugby Union career with Golden Lions in 2002. He remained with Lions until the end of the 2009 season. At the start of the 2010 season, he joined
the Stormers and Western Province.
Fourie is a utility backs players who can play at fullback, winger and centre positions. He so far has made 68 Super Rugby appearances for Lions and another 30 appearances for Stormers.
The Carletonville born Fourie made his international debut for South Africa in their 2003 Rugby World Cup game against Uruguay during October 2003. He so far has made 69 international appearances
for Springboks and has scored 160 points.
Besides him, Fourie’s team-mates Fourie du Preez and Danie Rossouw has already signed for the Japanese club. The duo has signed their two-year contracts with Suntory Sungoliath.
Additionally, it is reported that the Steelers are also in contact with Springboks' highest try scorer Bryan Habana. However, his immediate separation with the Western Province is not possible,
as he has already renewed his contract with the Province.
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