Du Preez twins to leave Sharks early?

Cape Town - The Du Preez twins, Jean-Luc and Dan, could leave the Sharks earlier than expected.

Afrikaans newspaper Rapport indicated on Sunday that English club Sale Sharks have requested that the duo be granted early releases from their contracts at the Durban-based franchise.

The Springbok loose forwards earlier signed short-term deals with Sale, but were expected to return for next year's Super Rugby competition. They would then head to Manchester for two years after the 2020 Super Rugby competition.

But it now appears that Sale want the brothers to join them at an earlier stage.

It will be Jean-Luc's second stint at Sale, having starred for them as a loan player last season. He joined them in November last year as cover for Tom Curry, who was injured during the autumn internationals. He made an instant impact, adding his physicality to the pack, before returning to Durban in January.

The twins' other brother, flyhalf Robert, has already joined the Sale Sharks on a three-year deal.