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Bulls announce influx of new players, including THREE Springboks
Bulls announce influx of new players, including THREE Springboks

The South African

time09-07-2025

  • Sport
  • The South African

Bulls announce influx of new players, including THREE Springboks

Following the departure of Director of Rugby Jake White, the Vodacom Bulls are undergoing major structural and squad changes ahead of the new season. While the search for a new head coach is ongoing, the Pretoria-based franchise has wasted no time reinforcing their playing roster. In a bold statement of intent, the Bulls have confirmed several high-profile signings – including Springbok stars and returning club legends – who will bolster the team through the 2025/26 and 2027/28 seasons. Below is a full breakdown of the key players joining the Bulls in July, each bringing international experience, leadership, and competitive edge. Former Springbok centre Jan Serfontein has signed a three-year contract with the Bulls, marking his return to Pretoria from Montpellier. Serfontein earned 48 Bulls caps before leaving in 2017 and went on to make 147 appearances in France's Top 14 league. He scored 15 tries from 45 starts during his initial stint with the Bulls, proving himself a consistent attacking threat. Serfontein, a Grey College product, rejoined the team on July 1 and will remain under contract through the 2027/28 season. His return adds depth and international experience to a growing Bulls backline aiming to compete across multiple competitions. Springbok wing Kurt-Lee Arendse will return to the Bulls after completing his international commitments in the Rugby Championship this August. Arendse had spent his recent sabbatical playing for the Sagamihara Dynaboars in Japan's competitive League One tournament. The electric speedster returned to Loftus Versfeld recently, scoring a stunning long-range try for the Springboks in front of home fans. He remains one of the most dynamic backs in South African rugby, capable of changing games with moments of individual brilliance. Arendse's return adds more firepower to an already explosive Bulls backline heading into the latter part of the 2025 season. Springbok lock Marvin Orie has returned to the Vodacom Bulls on a season-long deal beginning with the Carling Currie Cup. Orie joins from French club Perpignan, where he earned 29 caps over two seasons in the Top 14 competition. The 2023 World Cup winner previously represented the Bulls, Lions, Ospreys, and Stormers before moving to France in 2022. He originally earned 10 caps for the Bulls earlier in his career, showing familiarity with the Loftus environment and culture. Orie arrived in the capital at the start of July and strengthens the Bulls' second-row options with physicality and experience. Lock Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg has signed with the Bulls until June 2027 after leaving Montpellier Hérault Rugby in France. He previously played for the Bulls before departing in 2016, and he now returns with 174 caps of European experience. During his time in France, Janse van Rensburg won both the EPCR Challenge Cup and the French Top 14 title. His career includes appearances in Super Rugby, Carling Currie Cup, and both EPCR and Champions Cup competitions. The former Affies student officially rejoined the Bulls on July 1, boosting the squad's experience and depth in the second row. Scrumhalf Paul de Wet has joined the Bulls on a short-term contract after a long stint with the Cape Town-based Stormers. De Wet, who joined the Stormers in 2017/18, made over 80 appearances across four major competitions in seven seasons. His arrival in Pretoria came at the beginning of July, signaling a new chapter for the Vodacom United Rugby Championship winners. De Wet will remain with the Bulls until the conclusion of the 2025/26 season, bringing experience and tactical sharpness to Loftus. He has played in the Investec Champions Cup, VURC, Rainbow Cup SA, and Super Rugby, proving his value in top-tier competitions. Jeandré Rudolph has officially signed a short-term deal with the Vodacom Bulls starting from July through the 2025/26 season. The Roodepoort-born loose forward joins the Bulls after making 74 appearances in the judicial capital with consistent, high-energy performances. Rudolph, known for his relentless work ethic, has earned the nickname 'diesel-powered workhorse' from teammates and coaching staff alike. He arrives at Loftus Versfeld as a 2023 Carling Currie Cup champion and a respected leader on and off the field. Rudolph has gained experience across Super Rugby, EPCR Challenge Cup, Vodacom URC, and Carling Currie Cup competitions throughout his career. He also captained Oakdale Agricultural High School to their first Varsity Cup title, showing early leadership qualities and on-field discipline. DO YOU THINK THE BULLS WILL WIN THE URC TITLE SOON? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

Bulls bolster squad with Serfontein, Orie, Janse van Rensburg and De Wet
Bulls bolster squad with Serfontein, Orie, Janse van Rensburg and De Wet

TimesLIVE

time08-07-2025

  • Sport
  • TimesLIVE

Bulls bolster squad with Serfontein, Orie, Janse van Rensburg and De Wet

The post-Jake White era has started in earnest at Loftus Versfeld, with the Bulls announcing the arrival of experienced midfielder Jan Serfontein, locks Marvin Orie and Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg and scrumhalf Paul de Wet. Serfontein returns to Pretoria on an initial three-year deal and EPCR Challenge Cup and French Top 14 winner Janse van Rensburg has put pen to paper for a contract that expires in June 2027. Orie and De Wet have joined the herd on short-term deals. Serfontein returns to Tshwane from French side Montpellier, whom he left the capital for and made more than 147 appearances since the 2017 season. Before his departure, the Springbok centre earned 48 caps for the Bulls, scoring 15 tries from 45 matches. The Grey alumni arrived back at Loftus on July 1 and will have his contract with the club run to 2028.

Confirmed: Serfontein joins Bulls on three year deal
Confirmed: Serfontein joins Bulls on three year deal

The Citizen

time08-07-2025

  • Sport
  • The Citizen

Confirmed: Serfontein joins Bulls on three year deal

The midfielder will be immediately available for the Bulls, whose next assignment is the Currie Cup. Springbok centre Jan Serfontein is back in South Africa after playing his rugby abroad for several years and will next feature for the Bulls. The 32-year-old previously played for the Bulls between 2012 and 2017 before moving to Montpellier in France, for whom he featured over 140 times. The former Grey College pupil played 35 Tests for the Springboks between 2013 and 2017. He also played for the Junior Boks team that won the 2012 Junior World Championship, the same tournament in which the midfielder was named World Junior Player of the Year. Serfontein will play for the Bulls for the next three years. He'll compete mostly with Harold Vorster and David Kriel for a starting position. The midfielder is already training with the Bulls and could feature in the Currie Cup, before he turns his attention to the next season of the United Rugby Championship. The Bulls finished runners up for a third time in the URC just a few weeks ago.

Jan Serfontein returns to the Bulls as Springboks make their way back to Loftus
Jan Serfontein returns to the Bulls as Springboks make their way back to Loftus

IOL News

time08-07-2025

  • Sport
  • IOL News

Jan Serfontein returns to the Bulls as Springboks make their way back to Loftus

While Jake White has been booted out of Loftus Versfeld, his dream of more Springboks moving back to the Bulls is becoming a reality. On Tuesday, the Bulls announced the return of veteran centre Jan Serfontein and Springbok Marvin Orie to the Pretoria kraal. Serfontein, who had been on the books of French side Montpellier since 2017, has signed an initial three-year contract with Bulls. The Grey College alumnus made more than 147 appearances since the 2017 season for Montpellier after leaving the Bulls. Before his departure, the Springbok centre earned 48 caps for the Pretoria side, scoring 15 tries from 45 starts. Serfontein will link up with former teammate, Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard, who also recently returned to Pretoria after stints with Montpellier and the Leicester Tigers in England.

Bulls make first signing post-Jake White era: Lure Springbok back to Loftus Versfeld
Bulls make first signing post-Jake White era: Lure Springbok back to Loftus Versfeld

The South African

time08-07-2025

  • Sport
  • The South African

Bulls make first signing post-Jake White era: Lure Springbok back to Loftus Versfeld

The Bulls have signed midfielder Jan Serfontein, who returns home on an initial three-year deal. Serfontein returns to Tshwane from French side Montpellier, whom he left the capital for and made more than 147 appearances since the 2017 season. Before his departure, the Springbok centre earned 48 caps for the Bulls, scoring 15 tries from 45 starts. The Grey alumni arrived on July 1 and will have his contract with the club run through 2028. Serfontein, now 32, has 35 Springbok caps to his name, the most recent of which came in October 2017. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

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