CONFIRMED: Du Toit cancels Stormers contract

NEWS: The Stormers and WP Rugby have confirmed that three players have submitted a contract termination notice before the May 14 deadline.

The three players are World Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit, forward Cobus Wiese and flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis.

SA Rugby’s controversial 21-day clause (with a May 14 deadline) was part of a plan to deal with the fall-out of the COVID-19 pandemic. It allows players to tear up their contracts and head overseas.

"As previously indicated by WP Rugby, the existing contracts between the players and the Company are considered as binding and WP Rugby has reserved the right to hold players to these contracts or exercise other rights that may be held," the union said in a statement on Saturday.

"These options will be discussed with the players that have purportedly cancelled their contracts and more information about the course of action will be provided in future."

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Prior to the COVID-19 lockdown, WP Rugby had confirmed that it will bid farewell to prop Wilco Louw and fullback Dillyn Leyds, who had both reached agreements with European clubs to leave at the conclusion of the Super Rugby season.

Meanwhile, three youngsters have extended their stay with the Cape side.

"The senior squad has been bolstered by the news that the talented young trio of Rikus Pretorius, Tristan Leyds and Paul de Wet have all signed contract extensions," the statement added.

"In addition to the news confirmed last week that top junior players Kade Wolhuter and Keke Morabe have signed contracts with WP Rugby, top schoolboy talents Connor Evans and Sacha Mngomezulu have also since committed to playing in the Cape."

WP Rugby has also confirmed that the move to Cape Town Stadium in 2021 "remains on track".

"While everyone is sad to say goodbye to Newlands, the opportunity to deliver an exceptional matchday experience in a truly world-class environment is extremely motivating. Watching rugby at Cape Town Stadium will become one of the must-see experiences in world rugby, just as Newlands has been. The experience will attract not only rugby fans, but sport fans in general who want a unique experience."