Bulls sign two Springboks including 'world-class' full-back Willie le Roux : Planet Rugby

Bulls sign two Springboks including ‘world-class’ full-back Willie le Roux

Adam Kyriacou
Willie le Roux for Springboks.

Willie le Roux for Springboks.

The Bulls have announced the signing of Springboks full-back Willie le Roux, who will join the club from Japanese side Toyota Verblitz.

Le Roux has put pen to paper on a three-year deal at the Pretoria outfit, which means the mercurial talent will stay with the club until June 2026.

The full-back’s contract started at the beginning of July, but due to Springbok commitments, he will only arrive at the Bulls after the World Cup.

Springbok debut in 2013

Le Roux made his South Africa bow in 2013 after rising through the ranks of club rugby, starring for the Cheetahs during their Super Rugby days.

The full-back was nominated for the World Rugby Player of the Year award in 2014 and has become a handy second playmaker option to the Boks.

Edgar Rathbone, BBCo. Chief Executive Officer said: “Willie is a world-class player with so much experience behind him. Our stable is sure to benefit from having a player with more than 83 caps for his national side. Moreover, we believe that his wealth of experience will really add more stability to our backline.

“We are continuing with our ambitions of putting together a squad that can help us not only challenge but go for the crowns whilst playing some entertaining rugby, and he is a player that falls into classification. We are all confident that his versatility will be appreciated by both the young and the wise.

“We of course wish him and the Springboks well for the upcoming Rugby Championship and cannot wait to have him join us later in the year.”

Akker van der Merwe joins

Le Roux’s signing comes after it was confirmed that South Africa hooker Akker van der Merwe has also agreed to a three-year contract with the Bulls.

Van der Merwe arrives at Loftus Versfeld from Sale Sharks after he agreed an early release from his contract, ending a positive period at the club.

The 32-year-old returns to South Africa as he previously played for the Leopards, Lions and Sharks, with Rathbone happy to sign the front-row.

“We are thrilled to have Akker join us and a player of his skill and calibre will be a wonderful addition for our franchise as we continue evolving and set our eyes on success across the various competitions,” he said.

“He is also a well-travelled player that has continuously done well wherever he has played, and that speaks of a resilient character that will be of great help to our younger players too. I know he is a player who is keen to give as much as he can, and his know-how will be invaluable for us.

“We welcome him to the capital and hope that he will have a wonderful time running out with the herd in blue.”

READ MORE: Former Springbok fly-half Derick Hougaard released from hospital

Bulls Willie le Roux

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