Clermont have confirmed the signings of four players on short-term contracts as cover for the World Cup.
The French giants are expected to lose 12 players for the duration of the tournament in Japan and are making plans to replace their stars during that time.
The Top 14 outfit have confirmed the short-term signings of Springboks pair JJ Engelbrecht and Rudy Paige, both of whom were omissions from Rassie Erasmus’ squad for the Rugby Championship.
Engelbrecht arrives from Super Rugby side the Stormers while Paige comes in from PRO outfit the Cheetahs.
According to the French club’s official website the pair will play in the first eight matches of the 2019/20 season.
Engelbrecht comes in as centre cover for French duo Wesley Fofana and Damien Penaud, who are both included in Jacques Brunel’s World Cup squad.
13-capped Springbok Paige joins the club as scrum-half cover for Greig Laidlaw, who is on Scotland duty and Kevin Viallard who is out after suffering a knee injury.
Clermont have also confirmed the signings of Bath’s Max Lahiff and New Zealand forward Faifili Levave, as the club make sure they are well braced for their time without their key men.
