Springbok and former Lions lock Marvin Orie is set to join the Stormers after turning down an offer from the Cheetahs.
Orie joined the Lions from the Vodacom Bulls in 2017, but it was recently confirmed that the Springbok lock would not sign a contract extension with the Lions following failed negotiations between the parties.
At the time of confirmation, the union said it had ‘no information as to his plans going forward’. It has been reported that the Cheetahs made Orie their No 1 target after losing several second rowers – Reniel Hugo, Walt Steenkamp, Sintu Manjezi, JP du Preez and Ian Groenewald – over the past year.
However, SARugbymag.co.za understands that the 28-year-old has turned down the offer in favour of a move to Western Province, who have also been showing a keen interest in acquiring his services. It is understood that the Stormers’ participation in the Rainbow Cup and an expanded PRO16 tournament played a decisive role in convincing Orie to move to the Western Cape.
Province are set to officially announce the signing soon. This would come as a welcome relief to their stakeholders after it was confirmed on Wednesday that the Sharks had signed Siya Kolisi, following fellow loose forward Jaco Coetzee out the exit door.
It is not yet clear how or whether the signing will have an impact on JD Schickerling’s future at Western Province. It’s well known that the 25-year-old has received a highly attractive offer from a club in Japan – while other rumours have suggested there are interested suitors from Europe as well.
READ: Schickerling arrives at career crossroads
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