Bordeaux Bègles target Springbok loosehead Mchunu as front-row rebuild gathers pace

Bordeaux Bègles are targeting Stormers and Springbok loosehead Ntuthuko Mchunu as part of a front-row recruitment drive ahead of next summer’s transfer window, according to reports.

Mchunu, 27, stepped into Steven Kitshoff’s role at the Stormers after beginning his career with the Sharks in Durban, and returned to the Springbok squad this past summer. The loosehead has long attracted interest from Top 14 clubs, and Bordeaux have now placed him on a formal list of potential signings.

Also on that list is Bath and England prop Beno Obano. Bordeaux representatives met with Obano last week and showed him around their training facilities, underlining the seriousness of their front-row ambitions.

Elsewhere, Northampton Saints are working to retain key players entering the final year of their contracts at Franklin Gardens. Tommy Freeman has already signed a new deal, and the club are now focused on loosehead Manny Iyogun — who earned his first England cap against Argentina this summer — as well as openside Tom Pearson, capped once against Wales in a 2023 Rugby World Cup warm-up. Scrum-half Archie McParland and back row Henry Pollock, reportedly valued at £1 million per year, are also in contract talks.

In South Africa, the Bulls have received a significant boost ahead of the new season after Springbok hooker Johan Grobbelaar signed a three-year contract extension, committing him to the Pretoria franchise until 2030. Grobbelaar had been out of contract at the end of the current season, and the Bulls had reportedly been monitoring Malcolm Marx as a potential alternative. The extension comes despite the Bulls losing Junior Springboks hooker Esethu Mnebelele to the Sharks.

In Wales, Scarlets winger Ellis Mee has attracted interest from Premiership clubs after entering the final year of his contract. The Wales international, who scored one try in 12 test appearances for Steve Tandy’s side, joined the Scarlets from Nottingham two years ago on a three-year deal. Cardiff have shown interest in Mee previously, and his situation is being monitored as the Scarlets face an uncertain period.

Finally, Leicester Tigers have confirmed the signing of NSW Waratahs fly-half Jack Bowen, who joins the East Midlands club after a season in Japan with Mitsubishi Dynaboars.