05 October 2026
The Vodacom Bulls have pulled off a major coup by securing the signature of explosive 19-year-old utility back Luan Giliomee, injecting massive X-factor into their backline depth. Head coach Johan Ackermann is already plotting his integration, eyeing an expansive, high-tempo attacking blueprint for the ongoing United Rugby Championship (URC) campaign.
“He’s a player with a lot of X factor. He reads the game well, and he has already shown that he can play in two positions,” Ackermann said. “We know he’s a No. 10 or 15. He’s going to provide good competition for our players. For a young player, it’s the perfect opportunity to learn from Handré Pollard and Willie le Roux, but also, as I always say, to add your own flavour.”
The rapid nature of the transfer was made possible through direct cooperation between the two South African coastal and inland franchises. The cross-provincial deal allows the Junior Bok star to jump straight into the Bulls' senior structures without delay.
“I’m just grateful to JP [Pietersen] and Rory [Duncan] that they agreed Luan could also come earlier,” Ackermann said. “We helped each other.”
However, Giliomee's immediate debut for the Bulls remains on ice while the touring squad finishes their European leg. The physical distance and the sudden transition mean the coaching staff will ease him into the playbook rather than rushing him into the mix.
“The fact that we aren’t in South Africa makes it difficult to say when he will play,” Ackermann said. “It’s also not as though he has been sitting at home for the past month and we could send him things to learn; he was focused on the Sharks, and we couldn’t overload him with information.”
With a massive Jukskei derby looming, Ackermann is preaching patience. The mastermind coach refuses to compromise the youngster’s development by overloading him ahead of a high-pressure local clash.
“I can’t say whether he will play against the Lions. It’s a big match and expecting a guy to learn everything within three training sessions may be a step too far,” Ackermann concluded.