Bulls suffer hammer blow as another Springboks star set to join Japanese club
Ruan Nortje in action for the Springboks (inset) and the Bulls.
The Bulls have confirmed that Springboks second-row Ruan Nortje will leave the Pretoria-based outfit at the end of the current season to join an unnamed Japanese club.
The 27-year-old has spent his entire senior career with the Bulls, becoming a stalwart at the club after making his debut in 2018.
The announcement of Nortje‘s impending departure is the latest setback for Johan Ackermann’s side, as he is now the fourth experienced player in their ranks looking for greener pastures at the end of this season.
Third Springbok set to leave the Bulls
This news arrives after it was revealed that fellow Springboks Kurt-Lee Arendse (wing) and Wilco Louw (prop) will head to Japan and the Stormers, respectively, while David Kriel is set to join Top 14 heavyweights La Rochelle – who are popular picks on the betting sites UK rugby fans use – at the end of the season.
Nortje has already made 150 appearances for the Bulls, and if he features in all four of their remaining United Rugby Championship (URC) fixtures, he will reach the significant milestone of 150 caps for the men from Pretoria against Benetton at Loftus Versfeld on May 16.
Speaking from France, where the Bulls are currently based ahead of next weekend’s URC clash with the Dragons at Rodney Parade, 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 Vodacom Bulls,” he said. “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.”
Although Nortje doesn’t have a particular match highlight from his many matches for the Bulls, he revealed that any game in front of a full house at Loftus Versfeld was special.
“Playing at a packed Loftus, all the people crammed in… there’s no experience like it.”
Apart from his sterling on-field performances, Nortje has also caught the eye with his leadership. He has captained the Bulls in 37 matches, placing him 10th on the all-time list of team captains, and has played a pivotal role in mentoring the next generation of locks coming through the club’s system.
Ackermann paid tribute to Nortje’s impact, both as a player and as a person.
“Since I arrived, I have been in conversation with Ruan and [Vodacom Bulls CEO] Edgar Rathbone about his decision to leave for an opportunity abroad,” he said.
‘The heart and soul of the team’
“I respect that. He has given almost 10 years of his career to the Vodacom Bulls and been the heart and soul of the team.
“As a player, sometimes change is good. He also has a young family to think about, and this is a new opportunity to explore the world. He’s paid his dues and is established as one of the icons in the Vodacom Bulls jersey by how he plays and conducts himself.
“It was an easy decision to support him and his wife Linda. I can only thank him for this year I got to work with him, mainly for his leadership and quality as a person.
“Hopefully we have a strong finish to the season to send him off on a good note. He’ll make a massive difference wherever he goes. We have young locks who have learned so much from him, and hopefully we can build on the legacy he’ll leave behind.”
Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for world-class coverage you can trust.
Bulls chief executive Edgar Rathbone also expressed his appreciation and full support for Nortje’s decision.
“Ruan represents everything the Vodacom Bulls stand for: commitment, humility, leadership, and pride in the jersey,” he said.
“He has given this union his best years, never once taking for granted what it means to play for the Vodacom Bulls.
“While we are sad to see him leave, we fully support his decision to take on an international opportunity for both his career and his young family.
“Ruan leaves with our deepest respect and gratitude, and with a legacy that will endure long after his final appearance at Loftus. He will always be a Vodacom Bulls player, and we wish him and Linda every success in this next chapter.”
