Head coach Johan Ackermann has cleared up the confusion surrounding Luan Giliomee, confirming that the Bulls are waiting for the young playmaker to arrive in Pretoria once his current regional commitments wrap up.
Rugby fans did a double-take this week when the 19-year-old Junior Springbok and Blitzbok star was named in both the Bulls and the Sharks official 55-man squads for the upcoming 2026/27 United Rugby Championship (URC) season.
Ackermann put the administrative mystery to rest, explaining that while the player has signed on the dotted line for the Pretoria-based franchise, contractual obligations mean they must wait a little longer.
"Luan has signed with us, but he is currently still under contract with the Sharks. We are respecting that process, and we are expecting him to make the move up to Pretoria somewhere in October."
Giliomee's delayed arrival is highly anticipated at Loftus Versfeld. The explosive backline utility is a massive piece of the Bulls’ aggressive recruitment drive as Ackermann builds a squad capable of playing a high-tempo, expansive style of rugby.
The young prodigy has already turned heads on both the international sevens circuit and with the Junior Boks, showcasing the exact type of x-factor the Bulls want to inject into their backline.
While Ackermann would have preferred to have the youngster in camp for the gruelling pre-season preparations, he remains patient about integration.
"It’s obviously not ideal to miss the start of the campaign with a new player, but we know what Luan brings to the table. His versatility and explosive skillset fit perfectly into our long-term attacking blueprint. We’ll get him up to speed the moment he arrives."
The Bulls will have to navigate their opening URC fixtures without their new signing as they prepare to kick off their campaign against Italian side Zebre Parma.
With a massive 55-man squad loaded with depth, Ackermann is confident he has the firepower to secure an early win on the board while they count down the days until Giliomee officially trades his black-and-white stripes for Bulls blue.