The Lions could be fielding a new midfield partnership next season as senior centres Wandisile Simelane and Burger Odendaal continue talks with European clubs.

According to Sunday newspaper Rapport, Simelane is considering an offer from Top 14 giants Toulon, who have Springboks Eben Etzebeth and Cheslin Kolbe on their books.

Meanwhile, Odendaal, appointed Lions captain after Elton Jantjies’ departure to Japan, is reportedly in negotiations with Premiership side Wasps. John Mitchell, who coached Odendaal at the Vodacom Bulls, is part of Wasps’ coaching staff.

Odendaal’s contract with the Lions ends in October, but he will need a release from the club to make it possible to exit before then.

Simelane’s agent, Dane Galley, told Rapport that no final decision has been made over the 23-year-old former Junior Springbok’s future yet.

“Wandi has another contract with the Lions. He has not yet decided where his next move will be, but we have a few options on the table,” Galley said.

Should both Simelane and Odendaal depart, that would open the door for the next generation of centres to come through. Matt More and Manuel Rass faced the Bulls in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship at Loftus Versfeld.

The Lions could also bring highly-rated 20-year-old Tyler Bocks into the senior team. Bocks captained the Lions’ U20 Championship-winning team and played for the Junior Springboks in 2021.

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