With almost two months still to go until the start of the 2026/27 United Rugby Championship (URC) season, the on-field action may be taking a breather, but the off-field transfer market is red-hot.
Several blockbusting moves are shaking up the local landscape, headlined by a massive double-homecoming in Cape Town. We take a closer look at who has moved to a rival club and which superstars will be on show next season.
Here is your definitive guide to the URC transfer ins and outs for the four South African franchises.
DHL Stormers
The big news in Cape Town is the launch of "Project 2029", anchored by the sensational returns of two generational Springbok legends to DHL Stadium.
Transfers IN:
* Siya Kolisi (Loose forward, 35, from Hollywoodbets Sharks)
* Cheslin Kolbe (Winger, 32, from Tokyo Sungoliath)
* Wilco Louw (Prop, 31, from Vodacom Bulls)
Transfers OUT:
* Salmaan Moerat (Lock, 28, to La Rochelle)
* Dan du Plessis (Centre, 31, to Bordeaux)
* Dylan Maart (Winger, 29, to Vodacom Bulls)
* Corne Weilbach (Prop, 24, to Saracens)
* Ruben van Heerden (Lock, 28, to Montpellier)
* Siyabonga Ntubeni (Hooker, 35, Retired)
* Asad Moos (Scrum-half, 22, to Lions)
* Alex Groves (Lock, 25, to Scarlets)
Hollywoodbets Sharks
While Durban loses its iconic loose forward, the Hollywoodbets Sharks reload with major upfront muscle, welcoming back "The Tank" Thomas du Toit alongside seasoned international reinforcements.
Transfers IN:
* Thomas du Toit (Prop, 31, from Bath)
* Ivan van Zyl (Scrum-half, 31, from Saracens)
* Stephan Lewies (Lock, 34, from Harlequins)
* Gianni Lombard (Fly-half, 28, from Lions)
* Darrien Landsberg (Lock, 27, from Lions)
Transfers OUT:
* Siya Kolisi (Loose forward, 35, to DHL Stormers)
* Grant Williams (Scrum-half, 29, to Kobelco Steelers)
* Aphelele Fassi (Fullback, 28, to Brave Lupus)
* Jean Smith (Fly-half, 23, to Benetton)
* Francois Venter (Centre, 35, Retired)
* Le Roux Malan (Centre, 27, to Cardiff Rugby)
* Luan Giliomee (Fullback, 20, to Vodacom Bulls)
Lions
The Johannesburg-based franchise focuses on shrewd recruitment to bolster their backline depth, bringing in explosive pace out wide alongside an infusion of overseas experience. [1]
Transfers IN:
* Dan Kasende (Winger, 31, from Ospreys)
* Boan Venter (Prop, 29, from Edinburgh)
* Boeta Chamberlain (Fly-half, 27, from Newcastle Falcons)
* Asad Moos (Scrum-half, 22, from DHL Stormers)
Transfers OUT:
* Gianni Lombard (Fly-half, 28, to Hollywoodbets Sharks)
* Darrien Landsberg (Lock, 27, to Hollywoodbets Sharks)
* Ruben Schoeman (Lock, 30, to Narbonne)
* Franco Marais (Hooker, 33, Retired)
Vodacom Bulls
Pretoria undergoes a significant changing of the guard. Despite losing key Springbok star power to retirement and overseas clubs, the Vodacom Bulls reload with serious back-three versatility and European leadership.
Transfers IN:
* Hanro Liebenberg (Loose forward, 30, from Leicester Tigers)
* Curwin Bosch (Fullback / Fly-half, 29, from Brive)
* Thaakir Abrahams (Winger / Fullback, 27, from Munster)
* Dylan Maart (Winger, 29, from DHL Stormers)
* Luan Giliomee (Fullback, 20, from Hollywoodbets Sharks)
Transfers OUT:
* Kurt-Lee Arendse (Winger, 30, to Sagamihara Dynaboars)
* Ruan Nortje (Lock, 27, to Kubota Spears)
* David Kriel (Centre, 27, to La Rochelle)
* Wilco Louw (Prop, 31, to DHL Stormers)
* Johan Goosen (Fly-half, 33, Retired)
* Lizo Gqoboka (Prop, 36, Retired)
