Akker van der Merwe joins Bulls after departing Sale Sharks

"We are gutted to be losing him because he has been instrumental in everything we have done since I have been here," said Sharks director of rugby Alex Sanderson said in announcing Van der Merwe's departure on Friday.

"Akker brings infectious energy to everything he does and you can hear him through the walls around the training ground."

While the Bulls have yet to confirm the signing, AFP has already confirmed Van der Merwe is heading to Pretoria following the retirement of Bismarck du Plessis last month.

Van der Merwe will compete with Johan Grobbelaar for the number two shirt, with many observers believing Grobbelaar was unfortunate not to be considered for a place in the 2023 Rugby World Cup squad.