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Johannesburg - The Vodacom Bulls have announced they have retained the services of three of their brightest prospects until the end of 2013.
While a large group of their senior players are expected to move on after the World Cup, there was good news at Loftus Versfeld as they confirmed the signatures of Springbok Deon Stegmann, and rising stars Stefan Watermeyer and Gerhard van der Heever until the end of 2013.
The trio of young stars have finalised their contracts with the Union early, and will help soften the blow of departing Springboks at the end of the season.
Stegmann, who became a Springbok at the end of last season, will continue to grow in his fetcher’s role while Van den Heever scored one of the tries of the season in the opening game against the Lions at Coca-Cola Park with his 60 metre solo effort.
Watermeyer had a good Currie Cup season last year and the former SA Under-20 midfielder will be hoping to grow further in his role at the Union.
“We are happy that these three young stars have decided to stay within the Bulls family. All three have major roles to play in taking the team forward in the next few years and we believe they will go from strength to strength with the team,” Bulls High Performance manager Ian Schwartz said.
While big name players such as Fourie du Preez (Japan), Danie Rossouw (Japan) Bakkies Botha (France) and Victor Matfield (retiring) have all indicated they will not continue next year, the Bulls still need to secure the signature of Springbok Wynand Olivier.
Springboks Gary Botha and Gurthro Steenkamp have indicated they will continue their careers overseas, and have been linked with French club Toulouse but have not made any formal announcements yet.
