Bulls close the gate on Province raid
TRANSFER NEWS: The Blue Bulls have literally ‘shut the gate’ on an attempt by Western Province to lure two of their key players to Cape Town.
The Bulls revealed that Springboks Embrose Papier and Warrick Gelant extended their contracts with the Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd.
Papier and Gelant, who were being head-hunted by the WP brains trust, will play in Pretoria for the foreseeable future.
The BBC announced that Papier, who made his Springbok debut this year, has signed on till 2021.
Gelant, who played the first of his five Tests last year and is widely regarded as one of the most exciting fullbacks, will continue representing the Bulls till at least 2020.
The Bulls confirmed the duo “declined offers from elsewhere” and will continue their futures in the province where they made their Currie Cup, Super Rugby and Springboks debuts.
A number of leading players this week signed new deals with the BBC.
Conraad van Vuuren (2020) and Johnny Kotze (2020) starred for the Bulls in Super Rugby this year and will continue to do so, while Junior Springboks Ruan Nortje and Mornay Smith did the same.
Nortje (2020), who played for the Junior Boks this year, made his Super Rugby and Currie Cup debuts as well this year, with Smith (2020) representing the Bulls for the first time as well.
The signing of current Junior Springboks prop Alulutho Tshakweni will further boost the ranks. The Eastern Province player has signed till the end of the season.
“We are very happy about the extended contracts signed by Embrose and Warrick,” said high-performance manager Xander Janse van Rensburg.
“It is fitting that they became Springboks with us and that they will remain Bulls players as their international careers take off.
“It is great to have a number of experienced international players in your squad and this will help in our goal to build a squad that can win the Super Rugby title again.
“It is always a good feeling and a true reflection of what is brewing within the walls of Loftus, when your star players see their future with this union,” said Janse van Rensburg.
“Johnny and Conraad were great for us this year showing their true worth at Super Rugby level, and they will continue to develop and grow here, while Ruan and Mornay are amongst the most talented youngsters I have seen in recent seasons, so it is great to have them around for the foreseeable future.”
Gelant said it is an exciting time to be part of the Bulls set-up.
“There’s something special happening at Loftus, and I’m looking forward to remaining a part of it. I am privileged to play the game I love, with the people I consider close to my heart, and more importantly for the fans that give us this opportunity to live our dreams.”
The BBC also confirmed that utility player Ulrich Beyers was released to the Southern Kings with immediate effect, while Abongile Nonkontwana is on trial with the Free State Cheetahs.
