Bulls hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle has accepted an offer to play for Toulouse in France, on completion of this year’s Super Rugby tournament.
According to a statement from the Bulls, the former Pretoria Boys High pupil has rejected the contract extension put in front of him and will thus come off contract at the end of October this year. It’s assumed that an early release will be sought to allow him to depart earlier.
“We tried our best, but Chiliboy decided it was time to move on. We respect his decision,” said Bulls HP Manager Xander Janse van Rensburg in the statement. The player himself adds, “I always wanted to play abroad and this opportunity will provide that. I also feel that I will develop further as a rugby player in France, where different set skills will be required. I can only improve by playing over there.”
It remains to be seen whether Ralepelle’s decision impacts on his further involvement with the Boks this year. He has been named on the bench for Saturday’s test against Italy, but assuming Bismarck du Plessis recovers sufficiently to play next week, Saturday might well be the last time Chili wears the green and gold for some time.
With silly season now well and truly underway, it also remains to be seen who the Bulls contract to wear their number 2 jersey in Super Rugby next year.
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As long as they keep there grubby mits off cooper, what happened with the du plessis brothers contracts, they get extended
Kinda sad to see him go. He is both a good hooker and a good leader. But he has had the misfortune to sit behind the country’s greatest ever captain and one of the best hookers in world Rugby. Now he will probably find Strauss captaining the Boks, so his decision is understandable.
I don’t think playing behind journeymen like Gary Botha and Willie Wepener at the Bulls helped either.
It is the best decision for him. Great team player
Dont think he got the opportunities he deserved up in Jakarandastad.
Was an integral part over the last 2/3 years and will be missed. Before that was bit unlucky with both injuries and playing behind Gary Botha.
@Blue Centurion (Comment 5) : Gary “Away Game” Botha… The only place that oke could find form was in a restaurant parking lot.
Hey Rob I take it your not a Gary Botha fan.
While on the subject of players leaving the bulls any news about Jano Vermaak? Think he should move to Durbs!
@robdylan (Comment 6) : He wasn’t that bad. Until 2007, before he went abroad, he was one of SA’s better hookers.
He was average when he returned in 2010, but so too were all the other hookers at the Bulls at that stage – Kuun, Chilli, Maku.
go make that dough chili my man! pppfft the bulls want you to take a paycut, Puhleeeease.
Bad planning by die Bulls and buying every youngster in the country is causing this. Chiliboy is a great player but unfortunately in a position that SA have some of the best players in the world.
I still think he’s a great loss to SA though.
South African rugby is becoming a young man’s game. Youngsters are willing to play for the pride of representing union and country even when the money is not that great. (not that I think they’re playing for peanuts).
Guys 28 and older should really consider taking the pension plans on offer abroad. 😉
Wanted to check up on how many the Bulls have lost now, so I checked up the transfers wikipedia page.
Link
Says there Ludik is leaving for France, did I miss something?
@Die Kriek (Comment 13) : strong rumours, but no confirmation as yet.
Are the rumors true that Ludick is going to Agen in France ???? I really hope not will be a GREAT loss
@garethkorb (Comment 15) : see above. I’m working hard to get confirmation one way or the other.
@robdylan Thats great I really hope not he is a rock at the back for us and gives our backline a dimension that no one else can
@garethkorb (Comment 17) : I agree. But he was treated badly last year, so let’s see what he decides to do
@robdylan (Comment 16) : Thanks for the efforts Rob! Really hope he decides to stay. Best fullback in the country when fit!
EDIT: I see Agen FB page has it as ‘OFFICIEL’ (think that means official :???:)
@Die Kriek (Comment 19) : nah, you can safely ignore that.
The French are always VERY quick to confirm signings…. even if they haven’t actually happened
@robdylan (Comment 20) :
Haven’t the French ‘confirmed’ the Bismarck signing about three times?!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 21) : Oh yea, forgot they do that. 😆 😳
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 21) : presies, ja.
Look, Ludik is definitely talking to Agen. But I don’t believe anything is cast in stone yet.
I hope he thinks long and hard before making a decision.
A fit, on form Ludik playing in SA, will surely be a consideration for a future Bok honours.
If true the Sharks must do everything in their power to get Jessie Kriel back. The okes a machine!!!
How much did the Bulls’ overspend on juniors have to do with this?