Talks have started to explore the possibility of bringing explosive Western Province and Stormers hooker Scarra Ntubeni to Port Elizabeth to play for the Isuzu Southern Kings.
East London-born Ntubeni is on a list of players sent to various unions who Western Province are prepared to either loan or sell.
The WP Rugby Union has been struggling financially in recent times and is under pressure to cut its budget.
Players on the list who left after the Currie Cup are Ntubeni, Chris van Zyl, Reuben de Villiers, Nama Xaba, Josh Stander, David Brits, Nico Leonard, Duncan Saal and Craig Barry.
“There is always a soft spot for Scarra, because he comes from this region and he is playing outstanding rugby,” Kings head coach Deon Davids said.
“We will have to speak to our franchise neighbours and hope they have a soft heart for the Kings to take us forward.
“We have had a chat to Scarra and it was a good talk.”
The Kings are on the lookout for a hooker after Michael Willemse was sidelined by a shoulder injury.
With Willemse indisposed, Alandre van Rooyen has been elevated to the starting lineup in the No 2 Kings jersey.
Ntubeni debuted for both Western Province and the Stormers in 2011, but it was not until the 2012 Currie Cup that he established himself as a first team member.
He featured in all of WP’s 12 games during that campaign and was instrumental in the team lifting the Currie Cup for the 33rd time.
In 2013, Ntubeni was included in a 30-man squad for South Africa’s end-of-year rugby union Tests against France, Scotland and Wales, but he did not play in any of the matches.
In 2016, Ntubeni was included in a 31-man South African squad for their three-Test match series against a touring Ireland team.
After training with the national team for a few days, he joined the South Africa A squad for their two-match series against a touring England Saxons team.
He was named in the starting lineup for their first match in Bloemfontein, but ended on the losing side as the visitors ran out 32-24 winners.