South Africa lock Bakkies Botha could be in trouble with the IRB if he tries to continue his move from the Bulls to Toulon.
South Africa lock facing international sanctions over controversial French move.
South Africa lock Bakkies Botha could be in trouble with the International Rugby Board if he tries to continue his move from the Bulls to French side Toulon.
The French side have already announced that Botha had signed a contract with them, but his South African club side Bulls have insisted he still has a five-year deal with them as they have not given him permission to leave.
The Bulls have already turned down two requests from Botha to release him from his contract, and now the matter could be going to the authorities.
Botha also has a three-year deal with the South African Rugby Union (SARU), and they say he will be reported to the IRB should he run out for Toulon with the permission of the Bulls.
Christo Ferreira, the SARU's manager of legal affairs, told Beeld newspaper that no one could stop Botha if he wanted to go to France but he "would certainly not be able to play for Toulon or any other club as long as he is contracted to SA Rugby and the Bulls".
"The Bulls have already turned down his request to be released and SA Rugby will do the same. He needs a release to be registered as a player in France, and this (refusal) will leave him and Toulon stranded," Ferreira added.
"If Toulon go ahead with their intentions to play Botha without him being released from his contractual commitments in South Africa we certainly won't leave the matter there.
"He will lodge an official complaint to the IRB whose rules and regulations leave no doubts about contractual transgressions of this nature."
