Springbok utility back Jaco van der Westhuyzen will join the Bulls squad for the upcoming Super 14 season.
Van der Westhuyzen has negotiated an early release from his Japanese club, NEC, and has returned to South Africa to help the Bulls with their Super 14 campaign this year.
Van der Westhuyzen has also heeded a call by Springbok coach Jake White that he needs to return to play in South Africa to be in contention for a World Cup place later this year.
Van der Westhuyzen has played most of his senior rugby in Pretoria and knows the set-up and culture of the side.
Van der Westhuyzen was ecstatic about his impending return.
”I am really looking forward to seeing my friends again at the Bulls,” he said. ”I really miss the rugby in South Africa a lot and to be able to join a team like the Bulls is an absolute honour. I know that I need to be in a structure like the Bulls to play myself back into contention for national honours.
”[Bulls coach] Heyneke [Meyer] is someone who I greatly admire and have a lot of respect for.”
Van der Westhuyzen said he is looking forward to the challenge of playing for a place in the highly competitive Bulls unit, and hopefully will be able to impress the national selectors enough to make his way back into the Springbok squad.
”There is already a lot of competition at the Bulls, but that is great for me because it brings out the best in me as a player. I hope that I can contribute enough to the Bulls’ campaign to catch the eye of the national selectors once again. Japan was a wonderful experience for me but I am committed to the Springbok cause and would desperately love the chance to go to the World Cup.”
Bulls coach Meyer was also pleased with Van der Westhuyzen’s arrival.
”Jaco has played most of his rugby here prior to his move to Japan and became a Springbok in Pretoria, so he is rightfully returning home. We are lucky to be able to secure a player of his quality as he adds a lot of experience and depth to our team ahead of a tough season.
”At Super 14 level you need all the experience you can get and Jaco has played 32 Tests for the Springboks, so that sort of experience is invaluable. I have no doubt that if Jaco plays to his potential that he will become a Springbok again and be an asset to the national cause in this important year.”
Van der Westhuyzen will join his teammates on February 14. — Sapa