Bulls coach Jake White has reiterated loose forward Cameron Hanekom is not leaving amid reported interest from Wales coach Warren Gatland
In the Champions Cup last week against Saracens, Hanekom demonstrated exceptional skill and has been a standout performer for the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship.
Cameron, who is eligible to play for the Welsh, signed a contract that expires in 2027, according to White. Wales is where his grandmother was born.
“I would never let him out of his contract. I’m making plans as if I’ll have him here for the minimum of the next four seasons, which is the rest of my contract.
It’s our responsibility to make sure he’s taken care of, enjoys playing rugby here, and has no desire to play for any other team. It is among those items.
“I talk confidently that I don’t see him wanting to go and we certainly don’t want him to go. One season doesn’t make him, though, and I think he appreciates that.”
Hanekom will probably be named in White’s starting lineup for this week’s Champions Cup match in Lyon, France. The Bulls enter this game fresh off a 27-16 victory over the Saracens in the same league the previous week.
“At 21 years old, Cameron’s physical age prevents him from playing 80 minutes a week. Even at this young age, the body will grow and improve. We’ll need to examine how we oversee that procedure,” White continued.
We have the wonderful opportunity to allow him to play with players like Marcell Coetzee and Akker van der Merwe. All it will do is improve him.
Elsewhere in the Champions Cup this week, the Stormers will host title holders La Rochelle in Cape Town and five-time champions Toulouse will play Harlequins in London.
