PREM return for Bok Faf de Klerk still very much on table

Sale Sharks are in the market for a new scrum-half, and one of the names they are considering is back-to-back Springbok World Cup winner Faf de Klerk.

The Sharks made a big play to lure England and Lions star Alex Mitchell away from Northampton Saints earlier in the season, only for him to sign a new long-term contract in October.

Alex Sanderson has been forced to double down on his plans to recruit another scrum-half after losing England international Raffi Quirke, 24, to big-spending Newcastle Red Bulls when his contract runs out in July.

The CV of De Klerk, who will turn 35 in October and is in the last few months of his contract with Japan Rugby League One side Yokohama Canon Eagles, has been floating around Gallagher PREM clubs for the last few months.

De Klerk began his career with the Lions before spending five years in Greater Manchester with the Sharks, where he made over 100 appearances before leaving for Japan four years ago.

He is keen to continue his career, but the Sharks will find that they have plenty of competition for his services around the globe, especially from France, where Pau and Perpignan have taken a look at him.

Perpignan are willing to splash out on a big name because they have three scrum-halves, Tom Ecochard, James Hall and Gela Aprasidze, all in the final six months of their current deals.

It is hoped that De Klerk, who is currently on the sidelines with an ankle injury suffered in December while attempting to tackle Shizuoka Blue Revs wing Valynce Te Whare, will be back in action in May.

A deal to take him back to the Sharks, however, is far from done, and it cannot be ruled out that he will stay in Japan for the twilight years of what has been a stellar career.