PRETORIA – The Bulls have finally secured the much-wanted signature of Springbok Sevens star forward Tim Agaba who will be joining the Loftus Versfeld based outfit in June.
The 27-year-old Agaba has been on the Bulls radar since the beginning of last year but his commitments with the Blitzbokke ahead of the Rio Olympic Games hampered any chance of the former Southern Kings loose forward from joining the Bulls.
Agaba’s signing comes on the back of the Bulls acquiring another Sevens star in loose forward Boom Prinsloo from the Cheetahs last week while Springbok lock Lood de Jager, former Junior Springbok captain Hanro Liebenberg, SA A wing Travis Ismaiel, scrumhalf Ivan van Zyl and Dries Swanepoel have all committed to another two more years with the Bulls.
"The extensions of these squad members show that high quality players still want to continue their career and fulfil their dreams at the Bulls," said Bulls High Performance manager Xander Janse van Rensburg in a statement on Friday.
"They are amongst the best in their positions in the country and it is a huge vote of confidence on our management and structures that they see their future with us. Their decision to extend their careers with us is also driven by a desire to play for South Africa in future and it is great that they see the Vodacom Bulls as the vehicle to take them there.”
The Bulls have also confirmed that they will be losing flyhalf Tian Schoeman at the end of the Super Rugby season with the pivot set to join French outfit Bordeaux.
Schoeman has had to bide his time on the bench, since making his Super Rugby debut two years ago, and had to play behind Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard and lately he has had to rotate with Francois Brummer.
The 26-year-old Schoeman says his move to France is to try further his career and hopefully get the opportunity to play international rugby for Le Blues.
"I feel honoured for the awesome opportunities I had with the team so far. I made a career decision and will now move to France where I hope to eventually qualify to play for them,” Schoeman said.
“I am only 26 and still have ambitions, but I don't think it will be fulfilled here. That said, I am extremely grateful to all the opportunities I have playing rugby in South Africa, something I will always treasure."
Meanwhile lock Jason Jenkins will join Japanese outfit Verblitz at the end of the Super Rugby season but will return for the start of next year’s Super Rugby campaign.
Jenkins joins another Bulls lock RG Snyman who will also be playing in Japan for the Honda Heat during the Currie Cup competition.