Gerbrandt Grobler says Racing 92's players couldn't believe it when they were told the club would be merging with Stade Français. GAVIN MORTIMER reports.

The former Stormers lock signed a three-year deal with Racing last year, making his debut in November, having served a two-year drug ban.

He's since established himself as a regular in the Racing side, one of the few consistent performances in what has been a traumatic season for the reigning Top 14 champions, both on and off the field.

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Likening the season to a 'soap opera', the 25-year-old Grobler explained what happened on Monday morning when the squad assembled at Racing's training base in the south of Paris.

'We thought we were in for a few hard words from the president [Jacky Lorenzetti] after our poor game against La Rochelle on the Saturday,' Grobler told SARugbymag.co.za. 'But when we walked into the room, all the staff were there, from the doctors to the junior coaches, and the president was standing next to a projector. When he switched it on there was the shield divided in half [the colours of Racing and Stade Français] and no one could believe it at first.

'But the president said “yeah, it's happening”. They had first spoken about it a month ago and then things had moved pretty quickly. It was quite a shock. How could a guy manage to keep something like that a secret?'

Grobler says he and the rest of the Racing squad will meet Lorenzetti and the two Racing coaches, Laurent Travers and Laurent Labit, individually on Thursday, when it's expected the players will learn if they are to be among the 45 players retained for the new club.

'It should be interesting,' said Grobler. 'As all the contracts are up for negotiation.'

ALSO READ: Stade Français players go on strike

There are currently 64 players in the two clubs under contract, so several players are going to miss out on the opportunity to play for the Paris club, as the new team will be called.

'It will be tough,' admits Grobler, who has settled in well at his new home, and enjoys the challenge of a different culture. 'It's as if the Lions and the Bulls suddenly decided to merge. So much tradition and rivalry will be lost, but it's a business decision, and the president had to do what he had to do. That's rugby. Yes, it's stressful, and a lot of the guys don't know what the future holds right now.'

Despite the stress and uncertainty, Grobler is remarkably calm, something he attributes to lessons learned in the past.

'I have a glass half-full approach to life,' he said, laughing. 'If something bad happens in life you have a choice: you let it affect you, or you pick yourself up and go forward.'

WATCH: Grobler scores try for Racing 92

Photo: Dave Winter/Getty Images