Bulls secure services of veteran Bok Bismarck du Plessis

Veteran former Springbok hooker Bismarck du Plessis has joined the Bulls, the union confirmed on Friday.

Du Plessis most recently played for Montpellier in France, where current Bulls boss Jake White was also the coach.

The hooker played 108 matches for the French side until he hung up his boots at the end of last season. White though has lured the World Cup winning Bok from 2007 back into the game.

The 37-year-old Du Plessis also played for the Sharks and Cheetahs and made 79 Springbok appearances. His brother, Jannie, also returned to South Africa from France two years ago and currently plays for the Lions.

“We are really pleased to have secured Bismarck’s signature,” said White.

“Bismarck is the calibre of player we want here at Loftus – somebody who has a lot to offer on the field of play, and also vast experience that he can impart on the youngsters.

“There is no doubt that guys like Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Joe van Zyl, Johan Grobbelaar and Schalk Erasmus will gain plenty from his presence.”

Du Plessis is the latest high-profile name to join the Bulls.

Other former Boks like Johan Goosen, Lionel Mapoe, Marcell Coetzee, Arno Botha, Cornal Hendricks and stars such as Harold Vorster, Jacques van Rooyen and Jacques du Plessis have also joined in the last while.