Two more Lions cross the Jukskei
TRANSFER NEWS: Ahead of their Super Rugby success run – 2016, 2017 and 2018 – the Lions had managed to lure a host of players from Pretoria to Johannesburg.
That trend has now been reversed.
The Bulls have landed the services of two former Lions players.
Springboks Ruan Combrinck (wing) Lionel Mapoe (centre) will both be available for the Bulls from July 1.
It follows other recent players who first played at Ellis Park before heading to Loftus Versfeld – such as prop Jacques van Rooyen (over 100 games for the Lions between 2013 and 2018) and centre Harold Vorster (80-off games between 2012 and 2019).
The 31-year-old Combrinck comes with a reputation of having a nous for scoring tries for the Springboks in the seven Test matches he featured in, the Lions and French club Stade Francais.
Combrinck’s arrival will not only add depth to the outside backs, but his experience since making his professional debut for Western Province in 2010 will be invaluable for the Pretoria side.
“Any team will be fortunate to acquire a gem like Ruan, who has proven his outstanding abilities over the years,” Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White said.
“His signing will add to the depth of this team, and we have no doubts that his on-field, as well as his off-field, capabilities will contribute to the Bulls reaching greater heights,” he added.
🚨 NEW SIGNING ALERT 🚨
Welcome to Loftus Ruan Combrinck 🐃 We can’t wait to see you do this in a Vodacom Bulls jersey 💪#TrueToTheBlue pic.twitter.com/mwKrKPhiLm
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) June 30, 2021
The 32-year-old Mapoe will add a wealth of experience to the side he turned out for in 2013.
He has represented the Springboks in 14 Tests, while also having previously featured for the national Sevens, Under-20 and SA ‘A’ sides.
Mapoe’s professional career began at the Free State Cheetahs before moving to rivals across the Jukskei, where he represented the Golden Lions and amassed over 100 Super Rugby caps for the Lions.
Following a stint in Japan where he featured for the Kubota Spears, the hard-running centre has been plying his trade in France, representing Stade Francais since 2019.
“We are pleased to have a player of Lionel’s calibre joining this exciting Bulls team,”White said.
“His record on the rugby field speaks for itself, and we have no doubt that his wealth of experience and expertise will be beneficial to the success of this team.”
🚨 AND ANOTHER ONE 🚨
Welcome Lionel Mapoe 🔥 We can’t wait to see that trademark celebration at Loftus 🐃#TrueToTheBlue pic.twitter.com/Bkb1N3PMGA
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) June 30, 2021
