Vodacom Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann confirmed ongoing negotiations to bring double World Cup-winning Springboks Malcolm Marx and Kwagga Smith to Loftus Versfeld.
Speaking at a media briefing ahead of the new URC season, Ackermann candidly addressed the rampant transfer speculation linking the Pretoria franchise with the signatures of the Japanese-based stars.
While the news will undoubtedly excite the Loftus faithful, Ackermann was quick to preach extreme patience, making it clear that fans shouldn't buy their jerseys just yet.
“There are still negotiations going on. Their names are on our table, and we'll look at them," Ackermann revealed. “But it's not finished yet, and it's still a bit of a long way to go.”
When pressed further by reporters on whether the Bulls were explicitly close to securing either marquee Springbok, Ackermann maintained a tight-lipped, non-committal stance: "Not yay or nay."
Should the Bulls manage to pull off the double signing, it would represent one of the most significant recruitment coups in South African franchise history.
Marx, recently named World Rugby Player of the Year, and Smith, the ultimate dynamic loose-forward and "Bomb Squad" weapon, are both currently contracted to clubs in Japan’s League One. Bringing their immense experience, physicality, and winning pedigree back to South African soil would instantly elevate a Bulls side desperate to shed their perennial "bridesmaid" tag after reaching four URC finals in the past five seasons without lifting the trophy.
Ackermann’s transparency indicates that the Bulls executive is fully prepared to flex its financial muscle to restore the franchise to the absolute summit of club rugby.