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Juandre Kruger confirms he is coming home after six years in France

By Online Editors

17 Jul 2019

Juandre Kruger featured for the Barbarians during his length spell away from South Africa (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Juandre Kruger has taken to social media to confirm that he will return to the Bulls next season.

Kruger’s move to Loftus Versfeld is a welcome development for the South African Super Rugby franchise that will have to cope without the services of lock duo Lodewyk de Jager (Sale Sharks) and RG Snyman (Honda Heat).

Kruger, who played for the Bulls between 2008 and 2013, is bidding farewell to France after six years and will link up with the Bulls in time for the 2020 season.

The 33-year-old lock spent three seasons at Racing 92, a relationship that culminated in the club’s 2016 Top 14 title win in Barcelona.

Toulon, who were beaten by Racing in that final, became Kruger’s next port of call and he is now finishing up after another three-year block.

Welcome to the #BullsFamily Juandré Kruger

Can't wait to see you on the field big guy! pic.twitter.com/6OBTRurLaq

— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) July 17, 2019

He made his Springboks debut in 2012 and went onto to make 17 Test caps, the last coming in 2013 against New Zealand prior to his move to Paris.

In his social media message, he said: “Hi Bulls family. Juandre Kruger here. It has been a while since I addressed you guys. For those who haven’t heard I am super excited to announce that I am heading back to my old stomping ground, Loftus.

“I have just done a deal with the Bulls and I will be joining the boys in December later this year. I am looking forward to making you proud. I’ll check you in a few months.”

The Bulls had an average 2018 campaign, winning just eight of their 16 matches before going on to lose in the quarter-finals away to the Hurricanes in Wellington.

Coming Soon | Kruger 5 #BullsFamily pic.twitter.com/6sAxUxdLNw

— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) July 17, 2019

Confirmation of Kruger’s signing comes just days after it was announced that Scottish international Josh Strauss will be joining after the World Cup from Sale, the Premiership side, despite having a season remaining on his three-year contract in England.

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Comments on RugbyPass

RedWarrior 6 minutes ago

Everyone is saying the same thing after agonising England loss

The first half penalties against NZ were for speculative tackling because England were attacking so flat. If NZ didn't do this then it may have been tries and not penalties conceded earlier. I believe Felix Jones is still helping with the transition online. It was quite clear he wasn't helping in person with Earls in particular shooting up and leaving huge holes. NZ had a few that nearly stuck but the two tries by Telea were defensive errors. Furbank biting on Sititi leaving Genge to mark. Genge wont show Telea the outside again. Poor tacking on Telea for the second. That said he is a hard man to grab hold of.

Isolating Genge was clever for Jordans try. NZ spotted he defended wide too often and they could leave a gap with that switch play. 6 day turnaround for Ireland now.

I imagine NZ will be better, but they will need to be a lot better.

4 Go to comments

SadersMan 6 minutes ago

'Furious': X erupts as England fans drown out haka with controversial rugby anthem

Wrong.

49 Go to comments

Rob 7 minutes ago

Late blitz sees All Blacks XV secure testy win over Munster

Been a long time since they’ve lost to them, between Munster and Leinster in the last 8 or so years there’s been the Māoris, SA A, Uruguay and Chile that I remember off the top of my head.

They had a good game and nearly came back but lost to a few late scores, yeah that’s pretty heartbreaking for a team that lost to Zebre a few months ago that they nearly bounced back here.

3 Go to comments

Pabst 7 minutes ago

'Furious': X erupts as England fans drown out haka with controversial rugby anthem

There’s always an option about the Haka. Let people disrespect it and do what they want. I would love to see a Campese episode where players completely disregard it without having femi-Nazi giving moral values…

49 Go to comments

Jen 10 minutes ago

'Furious': X erupts as England fans drown out haka with controversial rugby anthem

We're well aware that the Irish are all good with dishing it out themselves but a bit flimsy when it comes to being on the karmic receiving end.

49 Go to comments

Jen 14 minutes ago

'Furious': X erupts as England fans drown out haka with controversial rugby anthem

That was a bit weird eh. However, I still vote for the instrumental over the San Diego chick.

49 Go to comments

BE 16 minutes ago

The Steve Borthwick reaction to a cruel England defeat

Just a few thoughts. England stopped playing with 20 minutes on the clock, holding only an 8-point advantage. Ford kept telling everyone to calm down and just kicked all the possession away. Why didn’t Slade take the final kick, being left-footed? England went back to their usual style: a lot of box kicks and very little in attack. New Zealand deserved to win.

2 Go to comments

SadersMan 16 minutes ago

'Furious': X erupts as England fans drown out haka with controversial rugby anthem

Again you show your ignorance.

The first NZ rugby team to tour overseas was the NZ Native team in 1888-89. They toured Australia, Britain, & Ireland, & played 107 matches. A few were "white Europeans". The team played in all black & performed the haka. And were inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2008. So the haka has been a part of NZ Rugby culture across three centuries.

And the haka is not an "indigenous (sic) war song". Do some proper research if you really want to know about it. But I suspect your only interest is in trying to score meaningless zingers to help yourself feel better.

I notice your posts mostly don't reflect a rugby lover but rather you just stir up nonsense. How about talking some rugby instead of constantly unleashing your insecurities on this forum?

49 Go to comments

Jen 17 minutes ago

'Furious': X erupts as England fans drown out haka with controversial rugby anthem

Nah, you couldn't. Maori are indigenous to NZ, te reo Maori is an official language and elements of the culture are woven throughout the day-to-day for lots of people here - Maori or not.

49 Go to comments

RedWarrior 19 minutes ago

'Furious': X erupts as England fans drown out haka with controversial rugby anthem

An opinion is supposed to be based on a fact. If your opinion involves calling an entire supporter group 'morons' you might be asked for the basis or facts that support that opinion. (Deal with it)

49 Go to comments

MakeOllieMathisAnAB 27 minutes ago

Late blitz sees All Blacks XV secure testy win over Munster

The Irish commentator makes Grant Nisbett sound like the narrator from Princess Di’s funeral.

3 Go to comments

SC 29 minutes ago

All Blacks player ratings vs England | Autumn Nations Series

Both 14 Tele’a and 15 Jordan played great today.

Why make a change just to squeeze in DMac? He is best as a bench player.

24 Go to comments

Flankly 30 minutes ago

The Steve Borthwick reaction to a cruel England defeat

That’s the reality, this is the width of a post, the result goes one way or the other ...

Played 3, lost 3 against NZ in 2024. Borthwick win ratio of 55%, vs 73% for his predecessor.

The discussion should be about how to build a winning record, not about the excuses for losing.

BTW - the kick that hit the upright missed the centre line of the posts by over 2.8m.

2 Go to comments

SC 31 minutes ago

All Blacks player ratings vs England | Autumn Nations Series

I hope that for Ireland, Razor starts 12 Jordie, 13 Proctor, and 23 Ioane with ALB sitting in the stands beside Havili.

By the way, 12 Quinn Tupaea and 13 AJ Lam both played outstanding on both sides of the ball vs Munster today. I really hope both Tupaea and Lam replace ALB and Havili next season.

24 Go to comments

HS 35 minutes ago

All Blacks player ratings vs England | Autumn Nations Series

Dmac saved the game for the ABs and BB made so many mistakes but the people who have been calling for Dmac's scalp won't say it. He is definitely the one to take this team forward. I hope he starts getting some respect for the magic he creates.

24 Go to comments

d 38 minutes ago

Late blitz sees All Blacks XV secure testy win over Munster

"Heartbreak for Munster" after a 14 point loss? Do provincial Irish sides expect to beat shadow international sides every time now?

3 Go to comments

d 42 minutes ago

'Furious': X erupts as England fans drown out haka with controversial rugby anthem

that's a pretty poor attempt at gamesmanship. As for the colonial slave song , well words fail.