The Stormers appear to be preparing for life after dynamic loose-forward Hacjivah Dayimani who is rumoured to be headed to France.
The Stormers will reportedly let him leave on a free transfer.
Springbok hopeful gets France move boost
However, that might not strike a killer blow to his hopes of a national team call-up.
Dayimani is reportedly on the brink of joining Racing 92 where he would join double Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok skipper Siya Kolisi.
While Dayimani’s current contract only expires at the end of the 2024/25 season, he could depart the Cape Town-based side earlier.
According to an insider at the Stormers who spoke to the Afrikaans publication Rapport, there is a perception among the coaching staff that Dayimani and Evan Roos don’t “gel well” together on the pitch because of their different playing styles.
This season, the two have only occasionally started in the same back row.
“If they could, the Stormers would love to keep Hacjivah as he has the X-factor and has a great background story to tell,” the insider told Rapport.
“He will earn good money if France, if the Stormers grant him that. He has made the Stormers family proud over the past three seasons.”
Contract talks progress
Dayimani is reportedly close to agreeing to a two-year contract with the option of a third season in Paris, according to reputable French daily L’Equipe.
The Stormers player may, therefore, team up with Boks skipper Kolisi at Racing 92, which could be devastating for Dobson’s team even if Steven Kitshoff and JD Schickerling have guaranteed returns for the 2024–2025 campaign.
Dayimani would also get together with Diego Escobar, an iconic figure in Chile. With Baptiste Chouzenoux expected to join Bayonne and Wenceslas Lauret retiring, Racing 92 is in need of a back-row player.
He is not a player of national interest right now. That means SA Rugby will not pay a portion of his salary.
The loose forward starred in the Stormers URC title run in the 2022 season. He is popular with fans in the Cape as well. However it seems that the Stormers will allow him to put his own interests first in this case.
A positive move for potential Springbok
Former Lions and Blitzboks loose-forward Jonathan Mokuena believes the move will be great for Dayimani’s game.
“I think he is a little bit disappointed about the fact that he didn’t make the cut for the Springboks, but it’s also good for him, because as a player he can go and develop more,” he told the Daily Voice.
“The kind of rugby they play in France is a little bit more physical and I have always believed Hacjivah is one of those players that is quite dangerous with ball in hand, but gets lost when it comes to the physical exchanges.”