Bok lock Kruger potentially back on market after parting ways with Bulls

Veteran Springbok second row Juandré Kruger could potentially be back on the market after parting ways with Jake White’s Vodacom Blue Bulls.

The Super Rugby franchise confirmed that they “have reached a mutual settlement agreement” with Kruger, which could see the 6’6, 110kg theoretically return to European rugby or bookend his career in Japan – that is if he’d doesn’t retire from the game first of course.

The 35-year-old lock forward re-joined the Vodacom Bulls late last year and added five more Vodacom Super Rugby caps to contribute towards the 31 caps earned between 2011 and 2013 before the COVID pandemic put paid to the regular season.

Kruger developed a reputation of being a lineout maestro and no-nonsense tight forward while at Loftus Versfeld and it was while representing the Pretoria franchise that he received his Springbok call-up, where he went on to earn 17 caps in the Green and Gold.

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Kruger also represented the Vodacom Blue Bulls and DHL Western Province in the Currie Cup before heading to Europe where he represented RC Toulon, Racing Metro 92, Northampton Saints and the Scarlets. The big lock racked up a total of 91 appearances collectively for the Vodacom Bulls and Blue Bulls.

“Kruger has always been the utmost professional. He has been exemplary as a player in terms of his work ethic, dedication and passion to his craft. We wish him all the best with his future endeavours,” said Vodacom Bulls CEO, Edgar Rathbone.

Kruger humbly thanked the Bulls for the part they played in his career, “I will always cherish my time spent in a Vodacom Bulls jersey, and would like to wish the players, staff and management at Loftus everything of the best going forward. I’d also like to say a massive thank you to all those that have helped shape me as a player and as a person.”