South Africa prop Wilco Louw has put pen to paper on a deal to head home and join the Bulls in July 2023, as he brings an end to his time at Harlequins.
The outstanding tighthead prop, who was part of the Quins squad that won the Premiership title in 2020/21, has opted to move to Pretoria next year.
Louw, 28, has become widely recognised as a top class front-row after consistently solid performances for the Premiership side since joining in 2020.
Impressed for the Stormers
Before that he began his career in the Bulls‘ youth structures before going to the Stormers where he played in Super Rugby and for Western Province.
He then enjoyed a short-term spell with Top 14 side Toulon before moving to England to play for Harlequins where he quickly became a fan favourite.
Louw will hope his move to South Africa helps him add to his 14 caps for the Springboks, for whom he made his debut against the All Blacks in 2017.
“The Vodacom Bulls play an exciting brand of rugby and they have great coaches, I am excited for the new challenge ahead. I am looking forward to running out in the jersey once more and to having the opportunity in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship,” he told the Bulls’ official website.
“It is exciting to be going back to South Africa and to be reunited with the Vodacom Bulls, I had an unbelievable time at Harlequins with great memories and hopefully we can make some great memories in Pretoria too.”
Eyes trophies with the Bulls
He added: “My rugby career started at the Bulls and I think it’s every rugby player’s dream to win a few trophies in their career, so I am very keen to join the team and work with great players and coaches to make that dream our reality.”
Blue Bulls Rugby Union President, Willem Strauss, added: “It is wonderful to have a top international tighthead joining us in the prime of his career.
“Wilco was part of our junior structures and his return will surely bolster our pack of forwards.
“We look forward to welcoming him home and know that he will help in contributing towards the continued growth of our franchise.”
The Bulls are currently third in the United Rugby Championship table and are preparing for a derby with the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday.
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