No French deal for Dup brothers

The French transfer merry-go-round is beginning to spin out of control, spewing out a couple of Springbok brothers in the process.

Reports in the French media claimed that World Cup-winning Springbok front row forwards Bismarck and Jannie Du Plessis will join Montpellier after this year's World Cup.

This followed just days after the same media suggested Stormers captain and Bok No.8 Duane Vermeulen was heading to Toulon - rumours dismissed by the player's agent.

On Monday Montpellier President Mohed Altrad "categorically denied" the reports of a deal to sign the Du Plessis brothers on two-year contracts.

"What troubles me a lot is that all this could hurt the players," Altrad said, adding: "I categorically deny these reports."

The reports that the two brothers were to be reunited with former Sharks Director of Rugby Jake White, who joined Montpellier in December, caused a social media storm in France - including suggestions that they no longer want to play under White.

The club was also reportedly on the verge of signing Brumbies scrumhalf Nic White - another of White's former players - "for at least two seasons".

The Du Plessis brothers - members of the victorious 2007 World Cup squad coached by White - have been targeted by several cash-flush French clubs since the 2011 World Cup, including European champions Toulon.

* Meanwhile it was also suggested - in the same frenzied French media - that another Springbok, scrumhalf Michael Claassens, will leave Toulon in the coming weeks. It is rumoured that Claassens will join the Sharks in Durban in February.

@rugby365com