Springbok hooker returning to South Africa

Sale said that the 32-year-old had agreed an early release from his contract and will return to South Africa for personal reasons.

He made 70 appearances after joining Sale in 2019, scoring 31 tries.

"Akker has played some of his best rugby here, and we feel he has become one of the world's best, most physical hookers," Sale rugby director Alex Sanderson told the club™s official website.

"We are gutted to be losing him because he has been instrumental in everything we have done since I've been here. But he goes with our blessing, because he is leaving for the right reasons."

Sale, meanwhile, have been linked with Exeter's Luke Cowan-Dickie and former London Irish hooker Agustin Creevy as possible front-row recruits ahead of next season.