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Pretoria - The Bulls have announced that hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle has not accepted an offer to extend current contract with the union and has instead indicated that he will take up an offer with French Top14 club Toulouse.
In a statement released by the Bulls, a consensus was reached with Ralepelle on a possible extension in early May, on the proviso that Ralepelle was also being offered a Springbok contract for 2014/15.
During that time, the Bulls claim that Ralepelle was approached by Toulouse with another deal, which prompted him to decline the contract extension negotiated with the Bulls.
The statement goes onto read that the High Performance Manager at the Bulls, Xander Janse van Rensburg said they did their best to keep Ralepelle at Loftus, where he has played all of his Vodacom Cup, Absa Currie Cup and Super Rugby matches and also became a Springbok.
"We tried our best, but Chiliboy decided it was time to move on. We respect his decision," Janse van Rensburg said.
Ralepelle indicated that it was a lifestyle and career move.
"I always wanted to play abroad and this opportunity will provide that. I also feel that I will develop further as a rugby player in France, where different set skills will be required. I can only improve by playing over there.”
He will leave the union with mixed emotions, Ralepelle said.
"The Bulls were my life for so long, so of course I will miss it, but have peace of mind about my decision to move abroad. There are no ill-feelings on either side, it was just time for me to move on."
Janse van Rensburg also confirmed that negotiations with scrumhalf Jano Vermaak has progressed well and is at an advanced stage.
"We are aware of the overseas offer made to Jano and this forms part of our negotiations," he said.
In a statement released by the Bulls, a consensus was reached with Ralepelle on a possible extension in early May, on the proviso that Ralepelle was also being offered a Springbok contract for 2014/15.
During that time, the Bulls claim that Ralepelle was approached by Toulouse with another deal, which prompted him to decline the contract extension negotiated with the Bulls.
The statement goes onto read that the High Performance Manager at the Bulls, Xander Janse van Rensburg said they did their best to keep Ralepelle at Loftus, where he has played all of his Vodacom Cup, Absa Currie Cup and Super Rugby matches and also became a Springbok.
"We tried our best, but Chiliboy decided it was time to move on. We respect his decision," Janse van Rensburg said.
Ralepelle indicated that it was a lifestyle and career move.
"I always wanted to play abroad and this opportunity will provide that. I also feel that I will develop further as a rugby player in France, where different set skills will be required. I can only improve by playing over there.”
He will leave the union with mixed emotions, Ralepelle said.
"The Bulls were my life for so long, so of course I will miss it, but have peace of mind about my decision to move abroad. There are no ill-feelings on either side, it was just time for me to move on."
Janse van Rensburg also confirmed that negotiations with scrumhalf Jano Vermaak has progressed well and is at an advanced stage.
"We are aware of the overseas offer made to Jano and this forms part of our negotiations," he said.
