TOULOUSE, France - Springbok Sevens star Werner Kok is expected to make an expedient move to join French club Toulouse as a medical joker.
The Top14 club is currently experiencing a personnel crisis following injuries to Theo Belan and Pierre Fouyssac, and are believed to have sent out an SOS call of sorts to Kok. According to respected publication Midi Olympique, the 2015 World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year has come to an agreement to join the club in their time of need.
In fact, Kok could make his Top14 debut as soon as this weekend against Agen, while there is the possibility that he could extend his stay should the move prove to be successful.
Kok enjoyed a productive stint in the 15-man game during last year's Currie Cup, with Western Province going on to win the title. However, the regular winger had since hinted that he was going to predominantly shift his focus back to sevens
Meanwhile, English Premiership club Newcastle Falcons have announced the signing of Tim Swiel from fellow Premiership rivals Harlequins. The England-born player can fill both fullback and flyhalf berths equally well and has played Currie Cup rugby for the Sharks and Western Province after schooling at Bishops in Cape Town.
Newcastle said in Monday's release that the 25-year-old gives them a quality option at flyhalf and fullback, with the ability to play right across the back line. Swiel has spent the past four seasons with Harlequins joins Newcastle with immediate effect.
Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards said: "Tim is a player I've admired for some time. He plays the game at pace, he is someone who makes things happen in attack and he will fit perfectly into the way we play. The fact that he can play multiple positions is another major plus point, and we look forward to seeing him being integrated into our squad."
First phase of #pre-season done and we managed to survive it. Thanks all for the effort. #teamworkmakesthedreamwork #Blitzboks #gotyourback @ASICS_ZA @wernerkok1 pic.twitter.com/6zk5o0ReJa
— Springbok Sevens (@Blitzboks) September 26, 2018