Pretoria – Dewald Potgieter will be available for the Bulls with immediate effect for the rest of the regular Super Rugby season, the Pretoria franchise announced on Monday.
Following successful negotiations with his Japanese club, Yamaha Jubilo, Potgieter has returned to South Africa and could be in line for a starting role ahead of the Bulls' next match against the Sharks this weekend.
“We would really like to thank Yamaha for their co-operation in this regard and the professional attitude they have shown during our negotiations,” Bulls high performance manager Xander Janse van Rensburg said.
“It is wonderful to have Dewald back and I know he will contribute tremendously to our campaign.”
The deal, which makes Potgieter available until July 11, ensures the former skipper will be available until the end of the round-robin stage of the tournament, but not for the qualifying finals and subsequent finals.
He will have to return to Japan for Yamaha's pre-season preparations during the second week of July and will play no part in the Bulls' later stages.
Potgieter represented the Bulls in 66 Super Rugby matches before his departure to Japan in August last year. – Sapa