Nortje and Louw to lead the Vodacom Bulls into new season

The Vodacom Bulls have confirmed Springbok duo Ruan Nortje and Elrigh Louw as co-captains for the 2024/25 season.

Nortje and Louw, who are currently on international duty in the 2024 Rugby Championship decider against Los Pumas in Mbombela, will reunite with the herd post their national duties to join the group ahead of round 3 of the new 2024/25 Vodacom United Rugby Championship campaign.

Director of Rugby, Jake White, said: “We are in a good space as a club where we have a good balance of diverse leadership qualities among the players in our group. We have seen a number of the guys lead the team in some shape, way or form over the last season and that does not change because we have seen the value of having the voices of everyone in their different parts of the field,”

“We have seen great leadership capabilities in both Ruan and Elrigh last season, which we are excited to see heading into the new season. The two of them will form a dynamic partnership as co-captains which will do our environment well.”

On Marcell: “Marcell has been a phenomenal captain over the past few seasons. He has embodied the values of the badge, leading from the front in all spheres and we expect to see him continue to lead and mentor the younger guys because he is still an important part of our team. So the appointment of different leaders is not an indictment on him but the team’s succession strategy which is normal in professional sport.”