URC update: Two Springbok signings confirmed; as Bulls and Stromers gives exciting update
Jake White officially confirms two more Springboks signings as Bulls look to close the Leinster gap
Montpellier back Jan Serfontein and an inset of Bulls head coach Jake White
Jake White has officially confirmed two more Springboks signings ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Bulls boss Jake White has confirmed that two more Springboks will be rejoining the club ahead of the 2025/26 season.
For the third time in the United Rugby Championship, the Bulls fell at the last hurdle, losing 32-7 to Leinster in the final after being denied the title by the Stormers and Glasgow Warriors previously.
Following the match, White bemoaned his side’s inability to front up against a star-studded Leinster team packed with internationals.
He described the Irish province as ‘not a normal rugby team’ with Leo Cullen able to bring on a player like RG Snyman once the side were 19-0.
Two more Springboks return to Pretoria
The former Springboks head coach has repeatedly said that the top South African players need to return the SA URC teams for the sides to be more competitive.
The Bulls have already announced the signing of Handre Pollard, who returns to Loftus from Leicester Tigers, but he is one of three stars returning to Pretoria.
He will be joined by fellow ex-Bulls star Jan Serfontein, who has been at Montpellier since leaving Pretoria in 2017. The 35-Test centre racked up well over 100 appearances for the French club during his successful stint that included a Challenge Cup and Top 14 title.
Finally, one-cap Bok Nico Janse van Rensburg will also be returning to the Bulls set-up having left the side for Montpellier back in 2016.
“In the first final, we were very, very young and very new. And now we played against a really good, well-balanced, oiled side,” White told reporters after the defeat to Leinster.
“So, there’s going to be new challenges next year again. And I need to sit with those decision-makers and just find out what we need in order to step up.”
On the signings for next season, he added: “We signed Handré Pollard, he’s coming as a 10. Signed Jan Serfontein, who’s a real young prodigy that was at Montpellier. So those are two really good signings.
“Paul de Wet, the scrum-half from the Stormers, who will join us. Nico Janse van Rensburg, who is lock-flanker from Montpellier who has also played for the Springboks.
“Now, I’m not saying that’s going to solve it but we need to have a look to find out what we need in order to go to the next level because there’s no doubt that Leinster won’t be going backwards.
“Leinster will continue going forwards, if we are going to win this competition, we are going to have to beat Leinster – there is no doubt in my mind about it. It’s just by chance that they haven’t reached the final in four years [before now].”
