The Bulls have confirmed that they are in advanced stages of negotiations to sign Bok hooker Schalk Brits.
Brits, who is currently on tour with the Springboks, was initially thought to be in line to join the Stormers for the 2019 season, but such a move has failed to materialise.
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On Monday, the Bulls confirmed that the 37-year-old is close to joining their ranks and that an official announcement is set to be made in due course.
Meanwhile, the union unveiled their Super Rugby pre-season squad, which includes Springboks Duane Vermeulen and Cornal Hendricks, as well as Blitzboks Dylan Sage, Rosko Specman, Stedman Gans and Carel du Preez.
Former Paarl Gym captain and flank Muller Uys, who played for the Junior Boks in 2017 and 2018, has also been included in the wider training group after joining the Bulls from Western Province.
An elite group of juniors has been selected to train with the senior squad to boost their development.
‘We have added a junior group to the wider squad. This group consists of some of our best junior players and we believe this exposure to the senior group will expedite their progress and serve as a valuable tool to their development,’ said Bulls high performance manager Xander Janse van Rensburg.
Bulls squad:
Forwards – Duane Vermeulen, Tim Agaba, Muller Uys, Hanro Liebenberg, Jannes Kirsten, Thembelani Bholi, Carel du Preez, Roelof Smit, Nick de Jager, Ruan Steenkamp, Marco van Staden, Paul Schoeman, Jano Venter, Jason Jenkins, Hendre Stassen, RG Snyman, Lood de Jager, Trevor Nyakane, Lizo Gqoboka, Matthys Basson, Nqoba Mxoli, Simphiwe Matanzima, Madot Mabokela, Conraad van Vuuren, Frans van Wyk, Dayan van der Westhuizen, Jaco Visagie, Edgar Marutlulle, Johan Grobbelaar.
Backs – Warrick Gelant, Divan Rossouw, Travis Ismaiel, Duncan Matthews, Cornal Hendricks, Jade Stighling, Rosko Specman, Jesse Kriel, Dylan Sage, Johnny Kotze, Stedman Gans, Burger Odendaal, JT Jackson, Franco Naude, Handre Pollard, Manie Libbok, Marnitz Boshoff, Ivan van Zyl, Embrose Papier, Andre Warner, Theo Maree.
Junior apprentices in the squad – Gerhard Steenekamp, Cabous Eloff, Mornay Smit, Adre Smit, Marius Verwey, Ruan Nortje, Eli Snyman, JC Pretorius, Ryno Pieterse, Khwezi Mafu, Lian du Toit, Fiela Boshoff, Cameron Hufke, Jay-Cee Nel, Marnus Potgieter, Earll Douwrie.
Photo: BackpagePix
