The Vodacom Bulls continue to strengthen their players’ capacity, by announcing more players who will join the Bulls family.
The announcement heralds the return of one of Loftus’ favourite sons, as the quickfire Travis Ismaiel, returns to Pretoria after a short stint with the Harlequins in the English Premiership.
Ismaiel needs no introduction to the #BullsFamily as he established himself as the incumbent left wing for several seasons before his move abroad.
A Bulls man through and through, Ismaiel has represented the franchise at every level from u-19 to Vodacom Super Rugby with the 27-year-old former Hoërskool Tygerberg learner earning 39 Vodacom Super Rugby caps and scoring 10 tries.
Ismaiel continued to shine at Loftus Versfeld which saw him make his Springbok debut in 2018 against Wales in Washington DC after turning out for South Africa A against the English Saxons in 2016.
His national duty had, thus, came full circle as he assisted the Junior Springboks to glory in 2012 when they won the World Rugby u-20 championship in Cape Town.
Director of Rugby Jake White stated it bodes well for the Vodacom Bulls that players of calibre such as Ismaiel can see value in re-joining the team, and is looking forward to working with him when rugby returns.
“Travis is a quality player who I believe has unfinished business in Super Rugby and beyond, so it is great to see him returning to Loftus Versfeld.
“He has a knack for finding the try line and has scored some scintillating tries for us in the past, so I’m looking forward to working alongside him,” White said.
DHL Western Province hooker Schalk Erasmus will make the move to Pretoria as of June 2020, or as soon as travel restrictions allow.
He signed a three-year contract that will see him at Loftus Versfeld until October 2023.
Erasmus is no stranger to Pretoria as the 22-year-old dynamic front rower was schooled at Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies), where he also represented the Blue Bulls at various age-group Craven Weeks and the SA Schools team in 2016 before opting to study at Stellenbosch University, where he tasted FNB Varsity Cup glory with FNB Maties in 2018 and 2019.
His star continued to rise in 2018 as he made the trip to the World Rugby u-20 championship in France, where he helped the Junior Springboks claim a bronze medal.
The following season would be the year Erasmus was promoted to senior rugby as he made his Currie Cup debut off the bench against the Tafel Lager Griquas, while also turning out for DHL Western Province in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge.
ALSO READ:
Bulls family tributes outgoing Human
Erasmus thanked his former team for the memories while touching on his move North.
“I enjoyed my time in the Cape.
“Memories made and a few rugby goals of mine ticked off, but I’m excited for something different and I believe Loftus is the place for the experience.
“I’m looking forward to getting stuck in with my new #BullsFamily as soon as possible,” he said.
On the other hand, fullback Warrick Gelant has opted not to renew his contract and to further his career in Cape Town with the DHL Stormers.
Gelant’s current contract expires at the end of July, and as always, he has been open and transparent about his planning and his options.
The 25-year-old World Cup winner, who also happens to have celebrated his birthday recently, joined the Vodacom Bulls in 2014 and quickly became a crowd favourite with his devastating attack and electrifying steps.
Gelant humbly expressed his gratitude to the #BullsFamily for all they have done to assist in building his career thus far.
“I hope to maintain the friendships I have built here over the years.
“I arrived here as a young man with big dreams, and the people around me assisted me to build my career and, most importantly, to live my dreams.
“I would like to thank each and every individual for making my time here special, from the coaches and players to the management and admin staff. It feels strange saying goodbye after all these years.
“Loftus was my home and the people at the Bulls were my family, but time has come for me to move on and enter a new phase of my life,” he said.
White wished Gelant well with his future.
“Warrick is an amazing player and there is no doubt that he will excel wherever he goes.
“It’s sad to see him go and we would have loved to keep him at Loftus, but we fully understand his decision and wish him all of the best with his rugby journey ahead,” he said.
Have a story?
Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za or Busi Vilakazi (Journalist) busiv@caxton.co.za.
Also follow us on:
