Despite Jake's talk, keeping Tambwe is a long shot
Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has waxed lyrical about wanting to stay in the fight to keep the 24-year old in Pretoria, but it is more likely than not that Tambwe will be heading to France at the end of the season.
Bulls sources are hopeful, but realistic. The only way Tambwe stays in Pretoria is if he suddenly has a change of heart, or his work permit is not issued in France. Failing that, he is on a plane and will join up with Springbok hooker Joseph Dweba at Bordeaux next season.
The strange dance around Tambwe has been the source of several media articles, especially after he said he wanted to become a Springbok, even though currently that is impossible because he doesn’t have a South African passport.
Tambwe was born in Kinshasa, DRC and was previously selected, and withdrawn from the SA under-20 squad in 2017 when he had a similar problem. Since then he hasn’t sorted out his citizenship issues, and is not technically a SA citizen.
There have been reports that he has applied for citizenship, but his papers were “lost” twice by the Department of Home Affairs. Either way, the bottom line is he can dream all he wants, but the bureaucratic part of his eligibility is what counts when the Boks sit down and select their side.
It’s a similar thing with his move to France. The Bulls can try and convince him all they want, but it seems he has already signed in France, and barring a technical hiccup, there is very little they can do to keep him unless he has a change of heart.
But that didn’t stop White from doing the public relations bit over a player who has been sensational on the field this season and scored a beauty of a try again against Ulster on Saturday.
“I think the more we win, the more he probably wants to stay, which is fantastic. He is playing phenomenal rugby. I think he has a desire to be a Springbok, and it is what it is,” White said after the game.
“Obviously I would like to keep him, and we’ve been negotiating, but I think if he has committed, then obviously we are going to lose him.”
White underlined the fact that while Tambwe’s form at the Lions and Sharks wasn’t always consistent, he has enjoyed the atmosphere at Loftus and the environment has suited him well.
“He is a very good case for me. He came here from the Sharks – he wasn’t the preferred starter there, he was kept out. Now all of a sudden, people are talking about him, the team enjoys him being around, and he gives us confidence because he can finish.
“I am just hoping if he is going to leave, we get the best out of him between now and the next couple of months before he heads off.”
That last line probably says it all for the Bulls, and while some may still believe there is a chance, the only one who can keep Tambwe at Loftus for now is himself.
And even if he does change his mind, it may still be impossible if, as is believed, the contract has already been signed.
