Bok's exit from South Africa looking more likely than not

Bok scrumhalf Grant Williams is reportedly weighing up overseas offers ahead of what is increasingly shaping into a likely Sharks exit.

The 29-year-old’s contract runs only until mid-2026 and interest from abroad is gathering pace.

Williams (5’9, 80kg) is also understood to be eager to cash in a lucrative overseas deal, with Japan and France the two most realistic next steps in his career.

Rapport reported over the weekend that at least one formal offer has already been put in front of him, although the club behind it remains unnamed.

While the Sharks won’t want to lose him, they have in Jaden Hendrikse and Ross Braude two talented halfbacks ready to step into his boots.

The electric Williams has been at the Durban club for nearly a decade now. After leaving Paarl Gimnasium in 2018, he didn’t walk straight into the professional system but instead started out at College Rovers, grafting his way into the Sharks setup.

He has made 75 appearances for the Sharks, scoring 37 tries, including 47 URC outings where his pace and sniping game have consistently lifted the side.

At Test level, he has earned 28 Springbok caps and scored 10 tries (three coming at the 2023 Rugby World Cup) and featured prominently in the Rugby Championship and Autumn Nations Series.

With Rassie Erasmus’ current Springbok selection policy open to players plying their trade overseas, moving is unlikely to significantly impact his international chances either.

The Sharks face a difficult retention battle, which they may not even attempt to contest.  Japanese and French clubs have the financial clout to easily outbid South African sides thanks to the weak Rand, and the truth is, Williams is at a stage of his career where an overseas deal is a logical option. While the Sharks – whose head coach, John Plumtree, stepped down over the weekend – might prefer to keep him, matching those offers appears unlikely.

Nothing has been signed, but the direction of travel looks obvious.