Cape Town – Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has been linked with a move to France after next year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan.

According to French publication, Minute Sports Rugby, Top 14 giants Toulon are eager to sign the big lock forward.

If the deal materialises, the 26-year-old could earn in excess of €1 million (about R17 million) a year, the report added.

This is not the first time that Toulon, backed by billionaire owner Mourad Boudjellal, have shown interest in Etzebeth.

The club earlier were unsuccessful in their attempts to lure him from the Stormers after the 2015 World Cup.

Etzebeth will play his 71st Test for the Boks when they tackle the All Blacks in Wellington on Saturday (kick-off 09:35 SA time).

Teams:

New Zealand

15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Squire, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Karl Tu’inukuafe

Substitutes: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Tim Perry, 18 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Jack Goodhue, 23 Damian McKenzie

South Africa

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Jesse Kriel 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff

Substitutes: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Beast Mtawarira, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Francois Louw, 21 Ross Cronjé, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Cheslin Kolbe