Bulls lose another star as Bok heads abroad
TRANSFER NEWS: Just days after confirming the move of David Kriel to La Rochelle, the Bulls are set to lose another one of their star players.
In a shocking statement, the Bulls confirmed that lock Ruan Nortje has accepted an offer to join an overseas club in Japan at the conclusion of the current season, bringing to a close an extraordinary chapter in his career at Loftus Versfeld.
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A Bulls man through and through, the 27‑year‑old Nortje has only ever worn the blue jersey at the senior level.
Having grown up playing his school rugby locally, Loftus Versfeld became his professional rugby home when he made his senior debut for the team in 2018. Four years later, his consistent performances were rewarded with the first of his 18 Springbok caps, underlining his rise as one of South Africa’s premier locks.
Over nearly a decade of service, Nortje has been a cornerstone of the Bulls pack, combining physical authority with resilience, leadership, and an uncompromising work ethic. His contribution spans 146 matches for the union to date.
Should he feature in all four remaining fixtures, Nortje will reach the significant milestone of 150 Bulls caps against Benetton in mid‑May, an achievement that would place him among the most durable servants of the jersey, currently 24th on the all‑time appearance list.
Speaking from France, where his team is based ahead of next weekend’s URC match, Nortje said it was difficult to put his feelings into words.
“For me, it was a little boy’s dream come true to represent the Bulls. I’d have been happy with one appearance and never imagined in my wildest dreams I’d get to almost 150 matches.
“I’ve been grateful and have been blessed not to have many injuries.
“A big thank you to everyone who played a role in my career. I was blessed to work with many amazing people.
“I’ve built friendships that will last forever. It’s a very emotional decision, but it’s all about my wife and my family – they are my number one priority.”
