Spies: Bulls didn't want me anymore
Springbok Pierre Spies has revealed that he was regarded as surplus to requirements at the Bulls, which is why he is heading to France.
The South African revolution sweeping Montpellier continued with confirmation that experienced Bok No.8, Spies, will join the Top 14 club in February.
The 30-year-old Spies, capped 53 times by his country, becomes the ninth player from South Africa to have joined the southern French team, coached by Jake White, who led the rainbow nation to World Cup success in 2007.
Released by the Bulls, Spies will first travel to play in Japan before joining Montpellier.
"The Bulls told me that they weren't going to keep me," Spies told Midi Olympique newspaper.
"That's when Jake White called me.
Having come across him with the Springboks, I know he's world rugby's best leader.
"I said yes immediately."
White arrived at Montpellier in December, but the club missed out on the play-offs for the first time in five seasons.
The coach has since gone on a massive recruitment drive.
Most recently he snapping up the South African brothers Jannie and Bismark du Plessis, two stalwarts of the Springbok pack.
Other new arrivals include Schalk van der Merwe (prop, from the Lions), Paul Willemse (second row, Bulls), Jacques du Plessis (second row and back row, Bulls), Willem Andries Liebenberg (loose forward, Bulls), Demetri Catrakilis (flyhalf, Stormers), Cameron Wright (scrumhalf, Sharks), Jacobie Adriaanse (prop, Scarlets), Nic White (scrumhalf, Brumbies), Jessie Mogg (fullback, Brumbies), Seveci Nakailagi (wing, Fiji Under-20), Julien Malzieu (wing, Clermont Auvergne) and Marvin O'Connor (wing, Aviron Bayonnais).
