In one of the worst kept secrets in local transfer news, the Vodacom Bulls finally confirmed they had signed Boeta Chamberlain from the Hollywoodbets Sharks for the 2024/5 season.
Chamberlain, who has fallen out of favour at the Sharks under the current coaching management and is third now in the pecking line behind Siya Masuku and Curwin Bosch, will make the move to Pretoria to try and revive his career.
It will also give the Bulls another option at flyhalf, where they currently have Johan Goosen, Chris Smith and Jaco van der Walt.
Part of Chamberlain’s move is because he can play in more than one position, with Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White making it clear that this is part of his strategy going forward.
Chamberlain has featured in 51 franchise matches for the Durban-based side, 39 of which have been in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship. He has scored 158 points for the Sharks, including three tries.
“We have signed Boeta from June this year and his arrival will give us variation and depth. One of the things we want to get to, especially at 10 is to have players who can cover more than one position. When you have a guy, who can play in two different positions - especially on your bench - then you do not have to take your 10 off. This has worked for multiple teams and there is logic to good sides leaving their flyhalf on for as long as possible and your bench can either play at 10 or another position,”
“We are not there yet but we are working on it, to ensure that we have the depth of versatile players at flyhalf that will give us balance to our 23.”
The Bulls have also signed former Stormers and Sale Sharks flank Cobus Wiese for next season while they said goodbye to just two players during this season - midfielder Wandisile Simelane, who moved to the Stormers, and utility forward Jacques du Plessis, whose injury-plagued time in Pretoria was ended when he signed for Bath.
The Sharks have offloaded a number of players, including Hyron Andrews to Sale Sharks, Rohan Janse van Rensburg to the Canon Eagles and lock Le Roux Roets to Sale. Joel Hintz, the New Zealand prop that was there on a short stint, has left for Western Force while winger Werner Kok will move to Ulster next season.
But they have also acquired the Lions duo of Emmanuel Tshituka and Jordan Hendrikse for next season alongside big name signings of World Cup winners Trevor Nyakane and Andre Esterhuizen and Springbok utility forward Jason Jenkins.