Pieter-Steph du Toit submits request for contract termination with Stormers

Stormers have confirmed that three players including South Africa international Pieter-Steph du Toit have submitted their request for contract termination.

The players in South Africa were given a deadline until Thursday to cancel their contract or face pay cuts following the financial crisis created by the pandemic coronavirus following which the club revealed that World Cup winner and World Rugby Player of the Year du Toit has expressed his interest in leaving the province.

Along with du Toit, Cobus Wiese and Jean-Luc du Plessis have also requested for a termination but it would be unclear whether they will leave the club with the franchise considering negotiations with the players.

"As previously indicated by WP Rugby, the existing contracts between the players and the Company are considered as binding and WP Rugby has reserved the right to hold players to these contracts or exercise other rights that may be held.

"These options will be discussed with the players that have purportedly cancelled their contracts and more information about the course of action will be provided in future," the statement read.

The club also confirmed that fullback Dillyn Lleyds and prop Wilco Louw will be leaving the club at the end of the season after signing contracts with La Rochelle and Harlequins respectively.