Bulls snap up Bok scrumhalf
Cheetahs scrumhalf Piet van Zyl has signed a two year contract with the Bulls and will join the Pretoria franchise at the start of November.
The Pretoria-born 23-year-old scrumhalf made his Springbok debut in 2013 following some very good Super Rugby performances for the Cheetahs, and will replace outgoing scrumhalf Jano Vermaak who has left to play for French club Toulouse.
Bulls coach Frans Ludeke said: “Piet is an exciting youngster who brings a lot of energy and commitment to the field. His style of play will suit us and I am convinced that he will blossom in our playing style and structure. We have lost one Springbok in Jano Vermaak, so to replace him by another in Piet is fantastic for our depth."
Bulls High Performance Manager, Xander Janse van Rensburg confirmed the deal.
“Piet will still play for the Free State in Currie Cup, but will join us on November 1st on a two year deal till 31 October 2015. We are very pleased to secure his services as he is one of the most promising and exciting young halfbacks in the country,” he explained.
The news comes on the same day that the Bulls waved goodbye to eight Springboks who are all leaving to play overseas.
Lock Juandre Kruger (Racing Metro), flanks Dewald Potgieter (Yamaha RFC) and Jacques Potgieter (Fukuoka Sanix Blues), hooker Chilliboy Ralepelle (Toulouse), Vermaak (Toulouse), flyhalf Morne Steyn (Stade Francais), fullback Zane Kirchner (Leinster) and centre Wynand olivier (Montpellier) have all ended their time at Loftus Versfeld.
They will not play in the Currie Cup that starts next month, but will join their new clubs abroad.
“We would like to wish them well in the next chapter of their new careers,” Blue Bulls Company CEO Barend van Graan said on Tuesday.
“These players all became Springboks at the Blue Bulls, which speaks volumes of how much impact they had in our structures and teams. Many of them also represented us at schoolboy level for the first time and have been true servants to the Blue Bulls and Bulls cause. We could like to salute their effort and say thank you.”
