The Vodacom Bulls bolstered their squad with the signings of winger Travis Ismaiel from English Premiership side Harlequins and hooker Schalk Erasmus from DHL Western Province.
Ismaiel signed a two-year contract with the Pretoria-based side, according to a report by SuperSport, while Erasmus signed a three-year contract until October 2023.
Ismaiel played for the Bulls between 2013 and 2018 before signing for the English side for the 2019/2020 season. He was only able to make three appearances before the Gallagher Premiership season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ismaiel has played for the Blue Bulls franchise at every level from Under-19 to Vodacom Super Rugby. At Super Rugby level, he has scored 10 tries in 39 appearances. He has also made appearances for the South Africa ‘A’ side and the Springboks.
Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White said that it was a good sign that players of the calibre of Ismaiel can saw value in re-joining the team.
“Travis is a quality player that I believe has unfinished business in Super Rugby and beyond, so it is great to see him returning to Loftus Versfeld. He has a knack for finding the try line and has scored some scintillating tries for us in the past so I’m looking forward to working alongside him.”
Meanwhile, Erasmus featured for the DHL Western Province in both the Currie Cup and SuperSport Rugby Challenge and won a bronze medal with South Africa at the World Rugby U20 Championship in France in 2018.
Erasmus, who is expected to join the side in June or as soon as travel restrictions allow, said that he was looking forward to building his career with the three-time Super Rugby champions.
“I enjoyed my time in the Cape. Memories made and a few rugby goals of mine ticked off but I’m excited for something different and I believe Loftus is the place for the experience.”
Ismaiel and Erasmus are the latest players to join the Bulls following the acquisitions of prop Marcel van der Merwe, loose forward Arno Botha, utility-back Gio Aplon and lock Walt Steenkamp.
