The Vodacom Bulls have powered forward with another player retention signing by securing the services of their top hooker Johan Grobbelaar for the next three years.
Grobbelaar’s decision to stay at Loftus Verfsfeld mirrors that of another hooker in Jan-Hendrik Wessels, who also extended his stay last week at the Bulls headquarters with both players looking like future Boks after being invited to the recent Springbok alignment camp.
The Bulls also recently secured the services of two more of their top players in Cameron Hanekom and Celimpilo Gumede, both of which signed multi-year deals to stay at Loftus Versfeld.
Grobbelaar’s contract was renewed until June 2027.
The former SA Schools and SA under-20 signing has already won two Currie Cups and at 26 looks to be powering his way to higher honours.
“I am looking forward to the next three years because the extension was an easy decision for me when you look at the talent we have in the squad and the exceptional coaches, management and great sponsors; this is really a great club to be playing rugby at,” Grobbelaar said in a team statement.
“I have been here for nine years and have had some great experiences and memorable highlights since arriving in 2016. Some great wins, some great tours, winning trophies, a cup here and there but the biggest highlight for me was earlier this year where - for the first time since I arrived - we managed to actually fill up Loftus, having all the support every weekend and the amazing support from our fans.”
“I do think that we have an incredible squad and a great team here at the Vodacom Bulls. I do think that we do have unfinished business and I really believe that we are closer to winning major trophies and the next couple of seasons are going to be massive and it is going to be great for players, the supporters and the sponsors; so I am looking forward to a great couple of seasons ahead.”
In addition the Bulls have signed former Stormers loose forward Cobus Wiese and Sharks utility back Boeta Chamberlain for the 2024/5 season.