Embrose Papier & Warrick Gelant extend Blue Bulls contracts

Springboks Embrose Papier and Warrick Gelant have extended their contracts with the Blue Bulls Company and will play their rugby in Pretoria for the foreseeable future, the club has confirmed today. 

Papier, a debutant for the Springboks in 2018, has signed on till 2021, while Gelant, widely regarded as one of the most exciting fullbacks in world rugby, will continue representing the Bulls until at least 2020.

Both players declined offers from elsewhere and will continue their futures in the province where they made their Currie Cup, Vodacom Super Rugby and Springboks debuts.

"We are very happy about the extended contracts signed by Embrose and Warrick," commented high performance manager, Xander Janse van Rensburg.

"It is fitting that they became Springboks with us and that they will remain Vodacom Bulls players as their international careers take off. It is great to have a number of experienced international players in your squad and this will help in our goal to build a squad that can win the Vodacom Super Rugby title again."

The two extended contracts are but a number of leading players who on Monday signed new deals. Conraad van Vuuren (2020) and Johnny Kotze (2020) starred for the Bulls in Super Rugby this year and will continue to do so, while Junior Springboks, Ruan Nortje and Mornay Smith did the same. Nortje (2020), who played for the Junior Boks this year, made his Vodacom Super Rugby and Currie Cup debuts as well this year, with Smith (2020) representing the Bulls for the first time as well.

The signing of current Junior Springboks prop, Alulutho Tshakweni, will further boost the ranks. The Eastern Province player has signed till the end of the season.

The BBC also confirmed that utility player, Ulrich Beyers, was released to the Southern Kings with immediate effect, while Abongile Nonkontwana is on trial with the Free State Cheetahs.