The Vodacom Bulls are set to continue their activity in the transfer market with Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi among their targeted signings.
Bulls director of rugby Jake White has admitted to Sunday newspaper Rapport that there is interest in bringing the player to Loftus Versfeld. According to the report by Brendan Nel, Mbonambi has a clause in his contract that would allow him to leave the Stormers at the end of the 2020 Vodacom Super Rugby season.
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The same report links the Bulls to moves for wing Travis Ismaiel – who could also return after struggling for game time at Harlequins – as well as EW Viljoen, who is without a contract after being released by the Leicester Tigers, Clinton Swart, Jason Jenkins and young hooker Schalk Erasmus. Bulls captain Burger Odendaal, hooker Jaco Visagie and wing Divan Rossouw are all reported to be in talks for a move to the Lions.
The Bulls are also apparently set for a court battle to attain the services of Cheetahs lock Sintu Manjezi. The in-form player was reportedly targeted by the Bulls and Stormers – but preferred a move to Pretoria with his contract with the Cheetahs set to expire in October. However, according to Rapport, the Cheetahs are going to the arbitration court as they believe Manjezi accepted an offer to stay in Bloemfontein for two years – which Manjezi’s agent has denied.
Staying with Rapport and the newspaper says that Bok captain Siya Kolisi may have convinced Lions centre Wandisile Simelane to move to the Cape. Simelane reportedly turned down a move to the Sharks and could join the Stormers after talks with captain Kolisi. The Lions still haven’t given up hope of keeping him.
Meanwhile, France-based player agent Damian Dussault has told the Sunday Times that he predicts that a number of top South African players could move to France after the British & Irish Lions series in 2021.
Photo: Lee Warren / Gallo Images
