The Vodacom Bulls further strengthened its front row by signing South African prop Jacques van Rooyen, who joined the Pretoria-based side with immediate effect.
Van Rooyen returned to South Africa after a stint in Japan with Top League side NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes, who declined to extend his contract.
Van Rooyen, who underwent a trial and rigorous medical at the Bulls, will provide back-up to first choice loosehead Lizo Gqoboka.
The 33-year-old began playing professional rugby relatively late when he signed for the Emirates Lions in 2013 and made his debut in 2014. Despite that, he had a fruitful spell making more than 60 appearances for the Johannesburg-based side which included three successive Super Rugby finals in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
“Van Rooyen’s experience will also add immensely in mentoring the younger loosehead props while his effective scrummaging technique and incredible mobility will bolster the Vodacom Bulls as Director of Rugby, Jake White, continues to add firepower to his squad,” the Bulls said in a statement.
Van Rooyen, who is popularly known as ‘the Policeman’ due to his association with Pretoria Police rugby club, has also played for English Premiership club Bath whom he joined in August 2018. He made 17 appearances for Bath in a successful spell but eventually left due to a crowding of players in his playing position.
