Hooker Joseph Dweba of the Springboks and Stormers has reportedly declined a lucrative move overseas to stay in South Africa.

The hooker has been linked to a move away from the Stormers, with Sale Sharks reportedly being the interested club.

Nevertheless, a new report claims that he has chosen not to take up the opportunity as he intends to stay in Cape Town.

Joseph Dweba turns down Sharks move

According to a report by South African newspaper Rapport, Dweba posted a WhatsApp status captioned “I’m here to stay” with three wink emojis.

A club insider confirmed to the newspaper that the hooker was indeed remaining with the Stormers, with the report adding that “in certain circles, his decision to stay in the Cape is labelled as foolish”.

It is reported that Dweba could have earned up to R1million (about £43,427) a season more at Sale Sharks than if he remains at the Stormers.

Additionally, it is understood that SA Rugby will no longer be covering his Stormers salary because his PONI (player of national interest) contribution is being used elsewhere, making it more difficult for the Cape-based team to afford him.

Dweba has fallen down the Springboks’ hooker pecking order after playing for the team the previous year and almost making the World Cup squad; instead, the Boks decided to travel to France with just Malcolm Marx and Bongi Mbonambi, with Deon Fourie providing cover and taking over for Marx in the event of an injury.

Now, Erasmus has confirmed that Johan Grobbelaar is the team’s “clear third-choice hooker,” with Dweba failing to make the squad for the Ireland series.

He was included in the standby list along with fellow clubmate Andre-Hugo Venter, but the Boks have four hookers in the squad in Marx, Mbonambi, Grobbelaar and the versatile Jan-Hendrik Wessels.

As for Sale, they will now turn their attentions elsewhere as they continue their search for a replacement for Los Pumas legend Agustin Creevy, who left the Premiership outfit at the end of the 2023/24 season.