06/06/2007 12:00 - (SA)
News24
Cape Town - The expected mass exodus of Springbok talent following the Rugby World Cup in France appears to be gaining momentum.
Stormers and Springbok flank, Schalk Burger, has been offered a staggering R7m deal to continue his career with French club Toulouse - a move that would make the 24-year-old one of the highest paid players in the world.
According to reports, Burger is also being chased by English club Harlequins who have tabled a £450 000 (R6.4m) offer for the star fetcher.
Should Burger, the 2004 IRB Player of the Year, decide to sign for Toulouse, he'd almost match the salary of Australian and Western Force star Matt Giteau, reported to be the highest paid player in rugby.
Although Burger does have a long-term contract with the Western Province, there is an escape clause in his contract stating that the union would have to match any offer made by a rival if they wanted to keep him in the Cape.
Whether Toulouse constitutes a 'rival' remains to be seen.
The news of Burger's deal comes hot on the heels of Toulon's offer for Bulls lock Victor Matfield.
The second-row star is rumoured to be mulling a R5m per year move to the Tana Umaga-coached second division club who have already signed New Zealand duo Andrew Mehrtens and Anton Oliver ahead of next season.
Trio of stalwarts
The Sharks appear to be in for a torrid off-season with reports linking a trio of their stalwarts with moves out of the Durban 'tank'.
Flyhalf Butch James is set to sign for English club Bath for R2.8m.
Bath earlier in the week confirmed the signature of Cheetahs scrumhalf Michael Claassens.
Indications are that James is White's first-choice flyhalf heading into the World Cup, but the pivot still has his detractors who don't believe he possesses the necessary touch and vision to deliver at the highest level.
Springbok and Sharks hooker John Smit has attracted interest from Clermont-Auvergne, who defeated Toulouse last weekend to reach the final of the French Top 14 championship.
Clermont are the former club of Stormers wing Breyton Paulse.
With Bok coach Jake White's future uncertain after the World Cup - and with him being a staunch supporter of Smit's - it may make sense for the skipper to make the move north.
In another potential blow to the Sharks franchise, fullback Percy Montgomery appears set for a move to Perpignan in France.
Montgomery, 33, previously turned out for Welsh club Newport Gwent Dragons.
Montgomery is the leading Springbok points scorer with 695 in 81 Tests.
Lions wing Ashwin Willemse could well join Montgomery on Perpignan's books.
Prop Lawrence Sephaka (Lions) and centres Gcobani Bobo (Sharks) and Marius Joubert (Cheetahs) are others considering lucrative offers from top European clubs.
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