Habana not heading to France ... yet

Reports that Springbok and Stormers wing Bryan Habana has signed for French Top 14 club Toulon are premature.  

Reports circulated on Thursday that Habana had finalised the deal in the last few days after an extensive recruitment drive by the cash-flush French outfit for a number of years.

However, although Western Province Rugby Union had no comment on Thursday, it is no secret that Toulon have been chasing Habana’s signature and have spoken to the player.

Toulon have also made no official announcement on the reported signing of the 2012 and three-time South African Player of the Year.

Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal’s confidently declared in December that, "On a scale of one to 10 [on the likelihood of Habana arrival], I would say 10 but it is only my opinion."

However, in a recent interview with this website Western Province Rugby Managing Director Rob Wagner said Habana is not going anywhere in the near future.

"Bryan [Habana] has a contract with us [WP Rugby] till 2014," Wagner said.

Toulon were also looking to acquire the services of Deon Fourie after the hooker-cum-flank captained Western Province to their first Currie Cup title in 11 years last season.

Fourie had looked set to join the likes of Bakkies Botha, Jonny Wilkinson, Frederic Michalak and Matt Giteau in France but had a change of heart and opted to stay in Cape Town with Western Province and the Stormers.

By Quintin van Jaarsveld