As it was with the Hollywoodbets Sharks before them, the Vodacom Bulls current contracting issues are very much a reflection of their own success over the past few years.
While the team announced on Monday that they had secured the services of World Cup-winning Springbok Marco van Staden and loose forward Celimpilo Gumede for the next few seasons, they also took steps to fight the narrative that they are being picked clean by overseas clubs looking for South African players.
This comes on the heels of the announcement that their club captain Ruan Nortje will leave for Japan at the end of the season and after the announcement of departures for utility back David Kriel and Springbok tighthead juggernaut Wilco Louw.
Kurt-Lee Arendse is another set to follow Nortje to Japan and the announcement will come within weeks.
Gumede has signed on for a further five years and Van Staden until June 2028, a good deal for both and for the Bulls especially after others such as Cobus Wiese also decided to stay on.
THE FUTURE TAKES SHAPE 🔵
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) April 13, 2026
Marco van Staden (2028) and Mpilo Gumede (2029) have committed their futures to the VODACOM BULLS, securing a vital blend of world-class experience and rising talent as the foundation for the club’s long-term success at Loftus 🐂 #TheUnbreakableLine pic.twitter.com/5UKGqE3kvD
PAPIER APPROACH REJECTED
The Bulls have further rejected approaches from the Stormers for JF van Heerden and Embrose Papier from Sale Sharks to be released from their contracts.
Sale were, according to reports, willing to offer a transfer fee for the Bulls scrumhalf to join them this coming season.
Vodacom Bulls CEO Edgar Rathbone, in a press release, emphasised that these extensions are a cornerstone of the club’s professional roadmap.
“There has been some outside noise suggesting we are a selling club, but the reality inside Loftus is very different,” said Rathbone. “Retaining a world-class veteran like Marco and a generational talent like Mpilo is a clear signal of our stability and our ambition.
“We aren’t just building for next week; we are securing the spine of this team for the next two to three years. These men believe in the vision Johan Ackermann is implementing, and we are proud that they see Loftus as the best place to achieve their Springbok and club ambitions.”
VICTIM OF OWN SUCCESS
But it is clear while the Bulls have developed a number of Springboks over the past few years, they also haven’t really lost players for that time either.
Now that their players are maturing and there has been a change in coaching, teams are looking to lure their players away.
Time will tell if they are successful in keeping their best Boks in Pretoria, especially as this is imperative if they are to have any chance of competing in European competitions in the next few years.
The Bulls have also made moves to cover the losses already. While there aren’t top tightheads on the market and the Bulls' overtures failed for Thomas du Toit, who chose the Sharks and Carlu Sadie decided to stay at Bordeaux, the Bulls have recruited Mawande Mdanda, the SA under-20 tighthead prop that was part of the victorious side at the Junior World Champs.
They have recruited Hakeem Kunene from the Sharks, Thaakir Abrahams from Munster and Dylan Maas from Griquas to fill the void left by Kriel and Arendse.
Kunene is a former Junior Bok and highly rated, while Abrahams has made his mark in Ireland and Maas had a spell at the Stormers on loan from Kimberley.
BOSCH LOADING
Johan Goosen’s impending retirement after a career-ending calf injury and the ACL injury to Kade Wolhuter have left the Bulls a bit thin at flyhalf, but they are soon set to announce the arrival of former Springbok flyhalf Curwin Bosch, who is currently playing for French club Brive.
Nortje will be a hard act to follow, but the Bulls haven’t recruited to replace him, but will rather look within.
With Ruan Vermaak and Wiese covering four lock, the task of filling Nortje’s boots will be left to the promising duo of Van Heerden and Rynhardt Ludwig.
Both have impressed in their limited game time thus far. Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, who joined the team from Montpellier last season but hasn’t played much, is also an option at five.
Ludwig has captained the Bulls already and can play seven as well, prompting former Bulls coach Jake White to compare him to a young Pieter-Steph du Toit.
Former Bulls captain Hanro Liebenberg, who has enjoyed several good seasons at Leicester Tigers, will also return home to join the Bulls at the end of the season.