The Vodacom Bulls announced their intent for the coming season with a raft of new signings - including former Springbok Akker van der Merwe.
Director of Rugby Jake White has been vocal about the need to increase the squad depth of the side and their signings over the past few months certainly indicate that desire, so much so that a raft of new players are likely to be at Loftus when the new season begins.
Sale Sharks announced on Friday that Van der Merwe - brother of British and Irish Lion Duhan - was returning home to South Africa to continue his playing career in SA.
?????????? ?????? ?????????? ??
— Sale Sharks ?? (@SaleSharksRugby) June 30, 2023
It is with a heavy heart that we say farewell to one of the most exciting hookers to ever do it in a Sharks shirt.??
Akker will leave the club with immediate effect to move back home for personal reasons. ??
Thanks for the memories Boetie! ??
And the Bulls have snapped him up, making him the perfect replacement for retired Springbok Bismarck du Plessis.
Van der Merwe is coming home for personal reasons, and Sale admitted they were very sad to lose the 32-year old who has 70 caps for the side, and 3 Springbok caps.
The Bulls beat out the Lions, who were interested in Van der Merwe but never finalised their offer.
Sharks Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson said: “Akker has played some of his best rugby here and we feel he’s become one of the world’s best, most physical hookers.
“He brings infectious energy to everything he does and you can hear him through the walls around the training ground. He has done so much to help and support our young front-row players too.
“We’re gutted to be losing him because he’s been instrumental in everything we have done since I’ve been here. But he goes with our blessing because he’s leaving for the right reasons.
“Everyone at the club is really going to miss him, but we wish him all the best.”
Van der Merwe will be officially unveiled shortly, but the Bulls did announce a raft of signings to join him, including former Stormers winger Seargal Petersen, and Sharks duo of Khutha Mchunu and Celimpilo Gumede.
Sergeal Petersen is ELECTRIC ?? We can’t wait to watch him do this at Loftus ?? pic.twitter.com/bvc2nNY6PV
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) June 29, 2023
Khutha Mchunu is a BEAST, he’ll fit right in ?? pic.twitter.com/AALYaCkc50
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) June 29, 2023
Mpilo Gumede ready to bring down the HAMMER at Loftus ???? Physicality incoming ?? pic.twitter.com/sYEKPgteJM
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) June 30, 2023
Others announced this week include Pumas winger Sebastien de Klerk and former Scotland and Edinburgh flyhalf Jaco van der Walt.
Jaco van der Walt you ARE a Vodacom Bull ?? pic.twitter.com/nftdrmke5z
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) June 29, 2023
Add to this news that the Bulls are also in talks with Springbok fullback Willie le Roux and the negotiations have certainly been going on behind the scenes to bolster the side’s depth.
De Klerk was one of the standout players for the Pumas over the past two seasons while Mchunu and Gumede are seen as rising stars that would struggle to find regular game time at the Sharks.
Give the man a Gaviscon, he’s put on the afterburners ?? Sebastian de Klerk is LETHAL ?? pic.twitter.com/IGdNHQkjbI
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) June 30, 2023
Petersen left the Stormers and headed to Japan and will give the Bulls back three a lot more depth as well.
This comes on the back of earlier signings of Springbok Wilco Louw, Jannes Kirsten from Exeter Chiefs and Henry Immelmann from Edinburgh
Bulls off-season signings
Wilco Louw (from Harlequins, UK)
Jannes Kirsten (from Exeter Chiefs, UK)
Henry Immelmann (from Edinburgh, Scotland)
Jaco van der Walt (from Edinburgh, Scotland0
Sergeal Petersen (from Shimizo Kotu Blue Sharks, Japan)
Sebastien de Klerk (from Pumas)
Akker van der Merwe (from Sale Sharks, England)
Celimpilo Gumede (from Sharks)
Khutha Mchunu (from Sharks)