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Pretoria - The Blue Bulls have confirmed the departure of scrumhalf Jano Vermaak and flank Dewald Potgieter to France and Japan respectively.
Potgieter decided not to renew his contract which expires at the end of the current Super Rugby competition and instead will join up with the Yamaha Rugby Club in Japan, whilst Vermaak has asked to be released from his contract to join Toulouse in France.
Vermaak’s request to leave after the completion of the Super Rugby tournament will be discussed by the Bulls, as his contract only expires at the end of October 2013.
According to Xander Janse van Rensburg, the Bulls' High Performance Manager, Potgieter, who played in 58 Currie Cup, 63 Super Rugby matches and represented South Africa in six Tests and two tour matches, decided to rather go overseas to experience a different lifestyle and culture.
"We had numerous talks with Jano and at one stage it looked successful, but he finally decided to accept the Toulouse offer.
"We are very sad to lose these two players, as they have massive experience and are part of our leadership core, but one cannot compete with the exchange rate at the moment," Janse van Rensburg said.
Meanwhile, the Bulls have also announced that number of other players have renewed their contracts.
Current Springbok squad members Arno Botha and JJ Engelbrecht have signed on until 2016, while Louis Fouchè, Hencus van Wyk, Jono Ross, Basil Short and Deon Stegmann have signed until 2015, with Handrè Pollard signing on until 2017.
A number of players currently playing for the Junior Springboks in France has also penned extensions.
Flanker Roelof Smit, prop Andrew Beerwinkel and lock Jannes Kirsten signed on till 2015, while current Junior Boks captain, Ruan Steenkamp, signed on till 2014.
Janse van Rensburg says that talks are on-going to sign flanker Jacques du Plessis, who is currently contracted till 2014, for another couple of years.
"It is great to see the vote of confidence in the company and our structures and teams by so many leading players," Janse van Rensburg said.
Engelbrecht indicated that enjoyment as well as the drive to win tournaments made his decision an easy one.
"I am very happy in Pretoria, where a great work ethic and professional outlook is paramount.
" I feel I have developed so much as a player since joining the Bulls and want to keep on improving, something I know will happen here.
"The coaches here are brilliant and one can really develop as a player and as a person," Engelbrecht said.
Potgieter decided not to renew his contract which expires at the end of the current Super Rugby competition and instead will join up with the Yamaha Rugby Club in Japan, whilst Vermaak has asked to be released from his contract to join Toulouse in France.
Vermaak’s request to leave after the completion of the Super Rugby tournament will be discussed by the Bulls, as his contract only expires at the end of October 2013.
According to Xander Janse van Rensburg, the Bulls' High Performance Manager, Potgieter, who played in 58 Currie Cup, 63 Super Rugby matches and represented South Africa in six Tests and two tour matches, decided to rather go overseas to experience a different lifestyle and culture.
"We had numerous talks with Jano and at one stage it looked successful, but he finally decided to accept the Toulouse offer.
"We are very sad to lose these two players, as they have massive experience and are part of our leadership core, but one cannot compete with the exchange rate at the moment," Janse van Rensburg said.
Meanwhile, the Bulls have also announced that number of other players have renewed their contracts.
Current Springbok squad members Arno Botha and JJ Engelbrecht have signed on until 2016, while Louis Fouchè, Hencus van Wyk, Jono Ross, Basil Short and Deon Stegmann have signed until 2015, with Handrè Pollard signing on until 2017.
A number of players currently playing for the Junior Springboks in France has also penned extensions.
Flanker Roelof Smit, prop Andrew Beerwinkel and lock Jannes Kirsten signed on till 2015, while current Junior Boks captain, Ruan Steenkamp, signed on till 2014.
Janse van Rensburg says that talks are on-going to sign flanker Jacques du Plessis, who is currently contracted till 2014, for another couple of years.
"It is great to see the vote of confidence in the company and our structures and teams by so many leading players," Janse van Rensburg said.
Engelbrecht indicated that enjoyment as well as the drive to win tournaments made his decision an easy one.
"I am very happy in Pretoria, where a great work ethic and professional outlook is paramount.
" I feel I have developed so much as a player since joining the Bulls and want to keep on improving, something I know will happen here.
"The coaches here are brilliant and one can really develop as a player and as a person," Engelbrecht said.
