'That's no joke': Why Toulon went all in on Boks back Jakkie Cilliers

Rugby Club Toulon Provence Mediterranee head coach Stéphane Beyt-Gamonet revealed that he signed Springbok Women’s Jakkie Cilliers after he watched the 25-year-old play one game.

Cilliers has played the entirety of her senior club career with the Blue Bulls Daisies and has won four consecutive league titles in South Africa.

Already a veteran of two Women’s Rugby World Cup campaigns, including the Springboks’ run to the quarter-finals last September.

A versatile back, Cilliers started on the wing against the USA Women’s Eagles on consecutive weekends in July and kicked four conversions. It was that pair of performances that meant Toulon felt compelled to recruit Cilliers for the 2026/27 season.

“It all happened in just over a week,” Beyt-Gamonet said. “I watched the South Africa v United States Test match, and when I saw her kicking game, I thought to myself: ‘Wow, that’s no joke’. Then I re-watched all of South Africa’s matches and, right after that, I got in touch with her.”

One year after their promotion back to the AXA Élite 1, Toulon  finished ninth in 2025/26 to maintain their place in the top flight.

Beyt-Gamonet has been busy in the transfer market this summer. Already the club have announced the signings of USA hopeful Malia Isaacs, France U21 internationals Sueline Tavares Monteiro, Alixe Valence, Marilou Le Calvez and Brazil prop Tais Prioste.

In Cilliers, Toulon have a ready-made replacement for Scotland full-back Chloe Rollie, who left the South of France after one season to take up a centralised contract with her home union.

“She’s a different type of player,” Beyt-Gamonet said. “Where Chloe [Rollie] was more dynamic – with a game built on speed – Jakkie Cilliers is more about the physical challenge and a long kicking game. She’s a sort of female Handré Pollard.”

Elsewhere in Élite 1, four-peat league champions Stade Bordelais have brought Assia Khalfaoui back to the west coast after one season with ASM Romagnat.

The club have also recruited Eagles centre Emily Henrich after her departure from JAECOO Premiership Women’s Rugby club Leicester Tigers.

Elsewhere, Montpellier have announced the signing of Canada international lock Emma Taylor. Taylor recently signed off from a two-year stay with Trailfinders Women with a runners-up finish in PWR. Montpellier also announced the recruitment of France international Marie Morland, France U21s Anna Daniel and recent USA call-up Lauryn Carlton.