Bulls look to the future as they name new captain

The Bulls have announced they have appointed 24-year-old Ruan Nortje as their new captain.

The 24-year-old Springbok lock has had a big influence on the team since joining the professional ranks back in 2018.

Nortje will have the experience of Johan Goosen and Harold Vorster to lean on, with the pair serving alongside him as vice-captains.

Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White said that Nortje's appointment is future-oriented.

"I think he (Ruan) is the future of the club. He is still young, and he is surrounded by players who respect him as a player and has continually justified his selection as a player with what he offers us," he said.

"It is great for us to have a player who makes it easier to select and I have every bit of confidence that he we thrive in his new role."

Nortje, a Hoërskool Wonderboom graduate, said the appointment was a massive honour.

"It hasn't sunk in yet but maybe on Saturday, it will become real. This is a tremendous privilege to lead this bunch of players and to have this opportunity in a franchise with such a great history of players before me is massive," he said.

"I think this is another building block in my game, in my life and I hope that it will be new building blocks that will help me evolve as a human. I hope that I can contribute to the co-development of those around me, I am looking forward to it."

Speaking about his lessons from his predecessors, Nortje said: "I draw a lot of inspiration from captains before me, the likes of Victor Matfield and Marcell (Coetzee) have all been great leaders that I have great admiration for. I grew up watching Victor during my school days, and it is awesome to now follow in those footsteps.

"I am lucky that I have an incredible friendship with Marcell and so I have taken a lot out of his book.

"The one piece of advice he gave me was to be me, not try to do too much and I have taken that to heart.

"He has journeyed with me over the last six weeks and that transition period has helped me gain confidence in assuming this responsibility, a wonderful opportunity and I am grateful for the new journey. I have every intention to lead by example."