Bulls sign Springbok fullback Willie Le Roux

The Bulls have acquired the services of experienced Springbok campaigner, Willie le Roux, from the Japanese side, the Toyota Verblitz.

The versatile World Cup-winning backline player joins the Vodacom Bulls on a three-year contract that will see him stay at the capital until June 2026. Although Le Roux’s contract runs from July 01, he will only arrive at Loftus once the Springboks conclude their Rugby World Cup campaign.

Bulls sign Willie Le Roux

Since making his debut for the national team in 2013, Le Roux has been a constant pick in the national camp. He was nominated for the world player of the year award back in 2014. Known for his game management with a poised counter-attacking game that is sure to benefit the herd in the upcoming 2023/24 campaigns.

Edgar Rathbone, BBCo. Chief Executive Officer said: “Willie is a world-class player with so much experience behind him. Our stable is sure to benefit from having a player with more than 83 caps for his national side. Moreover, we believe that his wealth of experience will really add more stability to our backline,”

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He added: “We are continuing with our ambitions of putting together a squad that can help us not only challenge but go for the crowns whilst playing some entertaining rugby and he is a player that falls into classification. We are all confident that his versatility will be appreciated by both the young and the wise,”

“We ofcourse wish him and the Springboks well for the upcoming Rugby Championship and cannot wait to have him join us later in the year,” The Bulls boss said.

Springbok team vs Australia

South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Retshegofaditswe Nché.
Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Rudolph Snyman, 20 Evan Roos, 21 Deon Fourie, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Damian Willemse.

Date: Saturday, July 8
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 17.00 (15.00 GMT; 01.00, Sunday, July 9 AEST)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand), Andrea Piardi (Italy)
TMO: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)