The Vodacom Bulls confirmed the departure of Chris Smith at the end of his contract to join French side, Oyonnax Rugby.
The 2023/24 VURC Golden Boot winner joined the franchise in 2020 and has made 96 appearances across the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, the Investec Champions Cup and Carling Currie Cup campaigns.
During his five years at the club, Smith has scored 634 points, of which 84% come from the combined outings in the VURC and rugby’s oldest domestic competition, the Currie Cup.
Smith says he leaves a grateful man after spending five years at the club.
“I am equally thankful as much as I am grateful. I am grateful for the past 5 years, during which I have had some of the best memories on and off the field. Thank you to everyone who has meant so much to Wilmi and me. I have a deep care for this place and a deep love for a lot of my teammates and coaches,”
“I have so many great memories that we are taking with us. Winning two Currie cups was very special, but my biggest highlight would have to be putting over that drop goal in the VURC quarter-final against the Sharks at Loftus,”
Smith adds: “When my teammates swarmed and jumped all over me, that was an extraordinary moment and memory that I will keep with for a while. That is probably my greatest rugby memory to date.”
Smith says his biggest gains whilst with the Vodacom Bulls come both on and off the field.
“On the field I grew immensely as a rugby player, I was able to learn from and train with some of the best to ever play the game. Off the field, I have made some incredible lifelong friends and special memories that I’ll cherish forever,”
“To the Loftus faithful, thank you for all the support over the years. The club is truly blessed with such passionate and proud fans. I am definitely going to miss this place dearly.”
On his new home, the 29-year-old says he is looking forward to joining up with his new teammates and getting stuck in.
“I have only heard good things about rugby in France and I can’t wait to experience it with Oyonnax Rugby. I want to contribute to the club as best I can on and off the field whilst continuing to grow as a rugby player, developing my game; which is important to me."