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Toulon to confirm All Black, Springbok signings

Nehe Milnder-Skudder scores for New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images

French club Toulon are set to confirm the signing of All Blacks winger Nehe Milner-Skudder and Springboks lock Eben Etzebeth.

According to reports from RMC Sports and Midi Olympique the pair of 27-year-olds will link up with Toulon for the 2019 Top 14 season, with Milner-Skudder joining on a three-year deal and Etzebeth signing on for two years.

Milner-Skudder has played 13 tests for the All Blacks since bursting onto the scene in 2015. He starred during the All Blacks’ run to their second consecutive Rugby World Cup but has been unlucky with injury in recent times after undergoing two shoulder surgeries.

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Etzebeth has made 75 appearances for the Springboks since 2012 and has represented the Stormers in Super Rugby over 50 times.

There are still questions as to whether both of these players will be eligible to play in the Champions Cup next year if Toulon qualify.

Toulon currently have three former All Blacks on the books in Julian Savea, Liam Messam and Malakai Fekitoa, while Etzebeth will join former Springboks Marcel van der Merwe, Juandre Kruger, Jacques Potgeiter and JP Pietersen.

News of Milner-Skudder’s departure comes one day after All Blacks fullback Ben Smith confirmed his move to the Top 14, where he will join Pau after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

In other news:

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Tom 33 minutes ago
Eben Etzebeth staring at huge ban after another red card

Well… I'd say the modern Boks are not a particularly violent team but it's impossible to getaway with much violence on an international rugby field now. The Boks of yesteryear were at times brutal. Whether or not the reputation is justified, they do have that reputation amongst a lot of rugby fans.

As for point 2.. it's a tricky one, I don't want to slander a nation here. I'm no “Bok hater”, but I've gotta say some Bok fans are the most obnoxious fans I've personally encountered. Notably this didn't seem to be a problem until the Boks became the best in the world. I agree that fans from other nations can be awful too, every nation has it's fair share of d-heads but going on any rugby forum or YouTube comments is quite tedious these days owing to the legions of partisan Bok fans who jump onto every thread regardless of if it's about the Boks to tell everyone how much better the Boks are than everyone else. A Saffa once told me that SA is a troubled country and because of that the Boks are a symbol of SA victory against all odds so that's why the fans are so passionate. At least you recognise that there is an issue with some Bok fans, that's more than many are willing to concede. Whatever the reason, it's just boring is all I can tell you and I can say coming from a place of absolute honesty I encounter far, far more arrogance and obnoxious behaviour from Bok fans than any other fanbase - the kiwis were nothing like this when they were on top. So look much love to SA, I bear no hatred of ill will, I just want to have conversations about rugby without being told constantly that the Boks are the best team in the world and all coaches except Rassie are useless etc



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