A Vodacom Bulls and Springbok backline stalwart is considering hanging up his boots.
Johan Goosen, a one-time schoolboy prodigy who earned 13 Test caps between 2012 and 2016, has had an injury-ravaged career.
According to reports, the Bulls’ decision to sign promising No 10 Kade Wolhuter on loan from the Lions and recall Handre Pollard from the Bok tour for Saturday’s Vodacom URC derby against the Lions are clear indications that Goosen’s time may finally be up.
The 33-year-old is currently struggling with a calf injury and considering retirement.
Goosen’s Test career saw him start two matches at flyhalf and a further six at fullback, with the rest coming as a substitute.
A product of Grey College, he initially starred for the Cheetahs between 2012 and 2024, before moving abroad to play for Racing 92 where he helped steer the team to Top 14 glory. He retired in 2016 before making a return two years later, turning out for the Cheetahs.
Goosen then signed for Montpellier, who bought him out of his Racing 92 contract which was still valid despite his earlier retirement. He repaid Montpellier by delivering a Man of the match performance in the final to secure the EPCR Challenge Cup in 2021.
Goosen returned to South Africa that same year and signed for the Bulls, helping them clinch the Currie Cup.
There’s an extra layer of intrigue to Saturday’s Vodacom URC clash between the Bulls and Lions at Loftus Versfeld, and it comes in the form of Johan Ackermann.
The Bulls coach knows Ellis Park intimately, having orchestrated one of South African rugby’s great turnarounds during his time as Lions head coach. He inherited a franchise that had been axed from Super Rugby and transformed them into back-to-back finalists in 2016 and 2017, laying the foundation for a third final appearance in 2018 under Swys de Bruin.
Now he’s plotting their downfall.
