The Vodacom Bulls were dealt another massive body blow when they announced that club captain and Springbok lock Ruan Nortje will be leaving the side for a club in Japan at the end of the season.
Nortje becomes the third Springbok to leave Loftus Versfeld at the end of the season and the fourth player in total, with a growing concern for the Bulls keeping an active and competitive squad together for next season.
Nortje's exit in particular is a body blow for the Bulls. He has played for the side since leaving school and made his debut in 2018 in Super Rugby and has only grown as a player since.
The Vodacom Bulls bid farewell to Ruan Nortje, who will join a club in Japan after this season 🇯🇵
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) April 9, 2026
A one-club man since 2018, Nortje leaves as a leader, Springbok, and Vodacom Bulls stalwart with 146 caps (and counting). 💙
A true servant of the jersey 🐂 pic.twitter.com/5bas9g7bSn
Quiet spoken and hard-working, Nortje’s leadership skills are well-known and when he made his Springbok debut in 2022, he has only put in exceptional performances since, becoming a regular in the side.
THREE BOKS LEAVING
The Bulls will particularly miss him next season, and the concern is growing after Kurt-Lee Arendse signed in Japan and powerhouse Bok prop Wilco Louw leaves for the Stormers at the end of the season.
David Kriel announced in the last week that he will be joining La Rochelle, and while he is not capped internationally, he was one of the most consistent performers for the Bulls over the past few seasons.
The side has also lost flyhalf Johan Goosen to a career-ending injury and the Sharks signed the promising SA under-20 hooker Esethu Mnebelele, who has trained with the Springboks, from next season.
The Bulls have been actively looking and have signed two players to replace Arendse in Griquas and Stormers winger Dylan Maart and Munster and former SA under-20 winger Thaakir Abrahams, who will join the side next season.
They have also signed promising young prop Mawanda Mdanda from the Sharks, who also played for the SA under-20s and Leicester Tigers and former Bull Hanro Liebenberg as from next season.
However, while the new signings have promise, they are not on the same level as the three Boks they will be losing.
NORTJE CAN SIGN OFF ON 150 CAPS
Nortje’s absence will be felt and the 146 caps that he racked up in a Bulls jersey are particularly meaningful.
Hopefully he will finish the season against Benetton in the team’s final regular season game at Loftus Versfeld to claim his 150th cap.
Speaking from France, where his team is based ahead of next weekend’s URC match against Welsh side Ospreys, Nortje said it was difficult to put his feelings into words.
“For me, it was a little boy’s dream come true to represent the Bulls. I’d have been happy with one appearance and never imagined in my wildest dreams I’d get to almost 150 matches. I’ve been grateful and have been blessed not to have many injuries.
“A big thank you to everyone who played a role in my career. I was blessed to work with many amazing people. I’ve built friendships that will last forever. It’s a very emotional decision, but it’s all about my wife and my family – they are my No 1 priority.”
Nortje has captained the Bulls on 37 occasions, placing him 10th on the all‑time list of team captains, and has played a pivotal role in mentoring the next generation of locks coming through the system.
ACKERMANN PAYS TRIBUTE
Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann paid tribute to Nortje’s impact, both as a player and as a person: “Since I arrived, I have been in conversation with Ruan and Bulls CEO Edgar Rathbone about his decision to leave for an opportunity abroad. I respect that. He has given almost 10 years of his career to the Bulls and been the heart and soul of the team.
“As a player, sometimes change is good. He also has a young family to think about and this is a new opportunity to explore the world. He’s paid his dues and is established as one of the icons in the Bulls jersey by how he plays and conducts himself.
“It was an easy decision to support him and his wife Linda. I can only thank him for this year I got to work with him, mainly for his leadership and quality as a person. Hopefully we have a strong finish to the season to send him off on a good note. He’ll make a massive difference wherever he goes. We have young locks who have learned so much from him, and hopefully we can build on the legacy he’ll leave behind.”
Bulls CEO Edgar Rathbone also expressed his appreciation and full support for Nortje’s decision: “Ruan represents everything the Bulls stand for: commitment, humility, leadership, and pride in the jersey. He has given this union his best years, never once taking for granted what it means to play for the Bulls.
“While we are sad to see him leave, we fully support his decision to take on an international opportunity for both his career and his young family. Ruan leaves with our deepest respect and gratitude, and with a legacy that will endure long after his final appearance at Loftus. He will always be a Bulls player, and we wish him and Linda every success in this next chapter.”