Coetzee and Van Rooyen could leave Lions

The Lions’ mass exodus looks set to continue as Netwerk 24 reported that fullback Andries Coetzee and prop Jacques Van Rooyen are considering moves overseas.

Its believed that French giants Toulon as well as English clubs Sale Sharks and Gloucester are interested in Coetzee, who played 13 tests for the Springboks at fullback in 2017 but has not been included in Rassie Erasmus’ plans this year.

31 Year old prop Van Rooyen is in negotiations with Bath.

The exit of these two players would add to the mass depletion the Lions are set to face, as it has been confirmed that centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg had signed with the Sale Sharks, leaving the total number of players the Lions have lost this Super Rugby season at four as Ruan Dreyer (prop) and Franco Mostert (Lock) confirmed they will be following flank Jaco Kriel to Gloucester at the end of the Super Rugby season.

The Lions also lost back up hooker Akker Van Der Merwe to the Sharks last year as well as current Springbok scrumhalf Faf De Klerk, who is now plying his trade in England at Sale Sharks.

Uncertainty also surrounds flyhallf Elton Jantjies, centre Lionel Mapoe and flanker Cyle Brink