White: Bulls haven’t given up the fight for Tambwe

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Jake White says the Vodacom Bulls are still hopeful of convincing Madosh Tambwe to stay in Pretoria amid reports linking the in-form wing with a move to France.

Tambwe produced a brilliant finish to score his fifth try of the season as the Bulls claimed a vital bonus-point win over Irish side Ulster at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday afternoon.

Even when he hasn’t been getting on the scoresheet, the 24-year-old has been an important contributor to the Bulls campaign and finally seems to have settled since joining from the Sharks last year.

However, Tambwe is in the sights of French Top 14 contenders Bordeaux, where Springbok hooker Joseph Dweba plays his club rugby.

Despite Tambwe’s sensational form, a Springbok call-up seems unlikely as he was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and issues with his citizenship could prevent him from playing for South Africa.

Speaking after their win over Ulster, White admitted that it may be too little, too late, but said the Bulls are still trying to keep Tambwe.

“I think the more we win, the more he probably wants to stay, which is fantastic,” said White. “He’s playing phenomenal rugby, and I think he has a desire to be a Springbok. But it is what it is. We’d obviously like to keep him, and we’ve been negotiating. But if he has committed [to the move], then we’re going to lose him.”

White added that even if Tambwe has already decided to move, the Bulls are determined to get the most out of him as the Vodacom United Rugby Championship comes to a head.

“He’s a very good case for me in that he came here from the Sharks. He wasn’t a starter there and was kept out. All of a sudden, people are talking about him. The team enjoys having him around, and he gives us confidence because he can finish.

“I’m just hoping, if he’s going to leave, then we get the best out of him in the next couple of months before he heads off,” White added.

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images

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Dylan Jack