Another big Bull heading to France
The Blue Bulls have lost another high-profile player to a cash-flush French club.
The Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd confirmed on Monday that scrumhalf Ruan Snyman was released to join French club Racing Metro with immediate effect.
"A transfer fee has been paid and Snyman will be available to play for the club as soon as selected," a statement said of the 26-10 win over the Free State Cheetahs at the weekend.
According to BBC High Performance Manager Xander Janse van Rensburg they decided against holding onto the 26-year-old to his contract – which only concludes in October.
Snyman requested an immediate release.
"Ruan had a contract till October and he could join Racing only if he was available immediately," Janse van Rensburg said.
"We decided not to stand in his way and accepted the request and transfer fee involved.
"There are no hard feelings involved here and we wish Ruan all the best in France.
"He has been an honest, hard-working professional who served the Vodacom Blue Bulls with honour and distinction."
The departure of the scrumhalf comes after he has had very limited game time in recent years, despite making his senior debut in 2008 and his Super Rugby debut in 2010 – a combination of injuries and two Springboks, Fourie du Preez and Francois Hougaard, holding him back.
He will join a very large selection of former Bulls in the European leagues.
It started with a 'trickle' back in 2011 – when the likes of Danie Rossouw, Bakkies Botha, Gurthrö Steenkamp and Gary Botha headed to Europe.
However, that little stream became a raging torrent this year that has seen more than 20 players depart abroad – including the likes of Morné Steyn, Juandre Kruger, Zane Kirchner, Wynand Olivier, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Jacques Potgieter and Dewald Potgieter all departing to European teams in recent months.
And then there is Wilhelm Steenkamp, who recently announced that he signed with the Perth-based Western Force Super Rugby franchise.
