Montpellier deny Du Plessis brothers signing

The president of French rugby club Montpellier Mohed Altrad has denied that they are about to sign South African forwards Bismarck and Jannie Du Plessis from the Sharks.

Altrad has “categorically denied” that his French Top 14 Rugby club are about to sign the two South African brothers who both play Super Rugby for the Sharks.

Media reports in France have suggested that the two brothers were planning to join the Top 14 Rugby club after the 2015 World Cup in November on a two-year deal.

However Altrad says, “I categorically deny these reports.”

“And what troubles me a lot is that all this could hurt the players…” added Altrad.

The Du Plessis brothers were part of the Springbok squad that won the 2007 Rugby World Cup under then coach Jake White who joined Montpellier at the end of last year as consultant.

Hooker Bismark is thirty years old and his brother Jannie, who is a doctor, plays at prop is thirty-two.

Both players have been with the Sharks in Durban since 2008 although Bismarck joined the Durban side in 2005.

Meanwhile newly appointed Stormers captain Duane Vermeulen has also been linked with a move to France after the Rugby World Cup.