Pierre's blood is STILL blue

Bulls fans can rest assured - Springbok Pierre Spies is not about to depart from their beloved Jacaranda city.

Reports that the Bok No.8 and Bulls captain may further his career in France have been described as "speculation without any merit ".

It was claimed that French club Bayonne had offered Spies ZAR15-million over three years, with a nett salary of €40 000 per month, to turn his back on the Bulls.

However, Spies’s agent, Gerrie Swart, told this website that there is no truth in those rumours.

"I don't know where the speculation about France comes from," Swart said, adding: "Pierre has certainly not negotiated with any French clubs."

Spies also dismissed the rumours.

"Has someone been negotiating on my behalf? Cause I'm going nowhere...," he said on his official Twitter page.

The rumours may have been sparked by a delay in negotiations between the player and the Bulls.

His current contract runs out in less than a fortnight.

All indications are that terms have already been agreed with the Bulls and the contract will be signed by next Friday [October 26].

This website can reveal that the timing of his contract with the Bulls was a challenge for all parties involved, as the Springbok contracts had not been finalised and that contributed to the delay.

The length of Spies' new contract was another factor that came into play - as a three-year deal will take him to the next World Cup.

The 27-year-old Spies, who is recovering from hand surgery and will miss South Africa's year-end tour, played his 50th Test when he ran out for the Boks against England in Port Elizabeth in June - his last appearance in the Green and Gold before the fracture was diagnosed.

He is approaching 100 Super Rugby caps with the Bulls, having made his debut in 2005, and was part of all three their victorious Super 14 campaigns - 2007, 2009 and 2010.

By Jan de Koning