Bulls lure another Bok back to Loftus
TEAM NEWS: The Bulls moved swiftly to plug the gap left by the departure of some key forwards.
Springbok loose forward, Nizaam Carr returns to the Bulls on a deal that runs from November 1 through to June 2024.
This announcement follows confirmation of the departure of seasoned forwards Marcell Coetzee and Walt Steenkamp, both to Japan.
They played their last outing in the 40-27 United Rugby Championship win over the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld this past Sunday.
The vastly experienced Carr brings an impressive arsenal of skills, having made more than 245 senior club appearances with an additional five Test caps for the Springboks.
Carr joins the Bulls at the back of another successful stint with the Wasps, whom he made a total of 74 appearances for, scoring 15 tries during his multi-season stay with the English Premiership side.
He became available recently when Wasps went into administration, the second Premiership club to be suspended from England’s top domestic competition.
Worcester Warriors is the other.
Carr enjoyed a fruitful time in the United Kingdom, having also spent an explosive loan spell at Coventry – where he scored four tries in his 11 appearances for the club.
The Bishops School alumni made his early career inroads through the Western Province junior ranks, representing Province in the 2009 Craven Week.
Soon after graduating to the South African Under-20 side, where he would make four appearances (scoring two tries) during the 2011 IRB Junior World Championship.
He has also featured for the South Africa A and Springbok sides, bringing his tally of games for South African national teams to 12.
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Carr is well remembered by the Loftus faithful, having last run out in the light blue jersey in the Rainbow Cup Final, in June of 2021.
“I have obviously had a few offers, but what came to mind for me was the culture at the Bulls,” Carr said.
“The obvious quality of coaches have made me feel welcome already.
“Because I have worked with the Bulls, I was comfortable and confident in making the decision because I know what I am going to work with, so this is a full circle moment for me.
“The Bulls have incredible, quality coaches and I know from my own experience, having worked with Jake White a season or so ago; he made me a better player in how I approach a lot of situations.
“I know he gives a lot of the boys belief when they are on the field, watching how they play with so much belief and confidence, that is because of Jake.
“Who wouldn’t want to work with such a great coach? So to be involved with his setup again, be part of a mindset that is brilliant is exciting, I am really happy to be here again.”
Carr has set his eyes on the big prize.
“Any team partaking in this competition wants to bring silverware home and for me, it is no different, I am coming with a lot of ambition.
“Winning the United Rugby Championship is a box I want to tick and I will do my best to help bring back the United Rugby Championship trophy to Pretoria.
“I am equally excited to come home and make our collective dream a reality. It is also exciting to be reunited with the boys again, a team that really looks to help you become better, a cool bunch to be part of” he concludes.
